The National Aboriginal Housing Association’s 16TH Annual Housing Conference: A Policy Development Forum
“Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness: Strategies and Solutions”
For sixteen years, NAHA, as the premium Aboriginal Housing organization in Canada, has been promoting safe, decent and affordable housing for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in non-reserve areas. Much remains to be done in this respect.
Therefore, the focus of this forum will be on development of a process where current planning and research activities can be brought to bear in a coordinated fashion to put in place a strategy for long-term solutions to improve housing and reduce homelessness among First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
THE PROGRAM
The Conference will open on September 22 with a tour of local urban Aboriginal housing, local Aboriginal health organization and a guided tour at the Museum of Civilization, followed by a reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel that evening. Keynote speaker at the reception will be Bruce Pearce, newly elected President of CHRA.
The Conference proper will open on September 23 with a traditional drum and a thanksgiving address, followed by words of welcome by local dignitaries and an address from NAHA to set the tone for the next two days.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Urban Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness: Strategies and Solutions”, on Day 1(Thursday, September 23) we will be presenting background information on urban Aboriginal Homelessness, followed by workshops on strategies to address this issue.
Keynote speaker for lunch on Day 1 will be Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East. Ms. Davies introduced Bill C-304, An Act to Ensure Secure, Adequate, Accessible and Affordable Housing for Canadians. This Bill is scheduled to go for 3rd reading in the House of Commons shortly after the NAHA Conference, and includes consultation with Aboriginal peoples as a key item. Bill C-304 will thus form one of the primary elements of a long term housing strategy at the national level.
Day 2 (September 24) will focus on acquisition of housing at all levels of need – from shelters and transition housing through social housing through home ownership, with background information presented, followed by workshops to incorporate action on housing and homelessness into a plan for action.
Senator Art Eggleton will be the keynote speaker at our Awards Banquet, which will take place in the evening of Day 2 (Friday, September 24). Senator Eggleton is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science & Technology, in which capacity he released the recent report, “In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness”.
Conference content will be complemented by a Poster Display in which organizations are invited to put up posters or similar display to demonstrate and provide information about some of the creative work they have been doing in their home areas. Tables will be set up in the room to facilitate their displays, but they will be responsible for their own equipment and material. Set up will be from 1 PM to 4 PM on September 22 with take down slated for 4 PM.
The NAHA General Annual Meeting will take place the following morning - Saturday, September 25.
Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa.
Please download registration form and details below.
Contact us for more details:
613-237-3600
info@aboriginalhousing.org
www.aboriginalhousing.org