Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy & Reaching Home funding initiatives
Engagement Workshop
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The Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) & Reaching Home Indigenous Housing Engagement Workshops are designed to bring together Indigenous leaders, community members, and key stakeholders to collaboratively shape the future of off-reserve housing and homelessness funding initiatives. These workshops are part of the broader engagement process for the URN and Reaching Home programs, focusing on addressing off-reserve housing challenges and supporting innovative solutions to homelessness.
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The workshops aim to:
Identify Funding Priorities – Explore housing needs, challenges, and opportunities specific to off-reserve Indigenous communities.
Engage Communities – Facilitate meaningful dialogue to understand short- and long-term goals, ensuring community-driven solutions.
Develop Strategic Pathways – Collaborate on actionable strategies to optimize the use of URN and Reaching Home funding.
Support Vulnerable Populations – Focus on solutions for women, children, elders, youth, and other at-risk groups.
Strengthen Partnerships – Build stronger connections between Indigenous communities, organizations, and government partners to address homelessness and housing equity.
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These workshops are open to Indigenous First Nation leaders, housing coordinators, community members, or staff involved in off-reserve housing and homelessness initiatives. Participants will have the opportunity to share insights, influence funding strategies, and contribute to the development of culturally relevant, sustainable housing solutions.
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Northern BC
Terrace: February 11, 2025, Venue: Gitlaxdax Nisga'a Terrace Society)
Prince George: February 21, 2025 (Venue: Aboriginal Housing Society Conference Hall)
Fort St. John: February 18, 2025 (Venue: Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Center)
nterior BC
Cranbrook: February 25, 2025 (Venue: St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino)
Merritt: February 28, 2025 (Venue: Merritt Civic Centre)
Mainland BC
Coquitlam: February 7, 2025, (Venue: Executive Plaza Hotel)
Chilliwack: February 10, 2025, (Venue: Coast Hotel)
Vancouver Island (North) & West Coast
Port Hardy: March 13, 2025 (Venue: Kwalilas Hotel)
Campbell River: March 14, 2025 (Venue: Thunderbird Hall)
Nanaimo: March 10, 2025 (Venue: Coast Bastion Hotel)
Victoria (Songhees): March 11, 2025 (Venue: Oceanview Conference Rooms)
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For those unable to attend the in-person workshops, there is an option to participate in online sessions, interviews, or focus groups.
Please contact your regional representative for more information and to discuss participation options tailored to your needs. (info below)
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We would encourage you to register for the Workshops before making any travel arrangements.
Please register for the URN & Reaching Home Workshop through either of the following methods:
RSVP attached registration form to email to urn@fnhic.ca or Reaching.Home@fnhic.ca
Registration link: URN & Reaching Home In-Person Workshop Registration
Cranbrook: February 25, 2025 (Venue: St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino)
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The Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) and Reaching Home Indigenous Housing Engagement Workshops will take place across five regions in British Columbia: Northern BC, Interior BC, Mainland BC, Vancouver Island, and the West Coast. These in-person workshops will provide a collaborative space to discuss funding priorities, strategic planning, and innovative solutions tailored to Indigenous housing and homelessness challenges. These strategies will provide the Federal Government in future homelessness and URN funding initiatives.
The workshops aim to address critical issues, including off-reserve housing needs, homelessness prevention, and the development of multi-year fiscal agreements. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions with key stakeholders and community leaders to co-develop strategies that reflect Indigenous values and priorities.
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Topics to be covered include:
Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Engagement Goals
Funding Priorities for Multi-Year Fiscal Agreements
Strategic Solutions for Off-Reserve Housing Challenges
Barriers and Opportunities in Addressing Homelessness
Community-Driven Solutions for Vulnerable Populations
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Morning Session: Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Engagement
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Overview of URN Engagement Goals and Objectives
Group Discussions: Housing Needs and Funding Priorities
Coffee Break and Networking
Q&A and Next Steps
Lunch Break
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: Reaching Home Indigenous Homelessness Program
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Welcome Back and Program Overview
Presentation: Reaching Home Goals and Regional Strategies
Group Discussions: Challenges and Solutions for Homelessness
Coffee Break and Networking
Wrap-Up and Feedback
Catering Information
To ensure a comfortable and engaging experience, snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the workshop:
Morning Session: Light snacks and refreshments will be available to start the day.
Lunch Break: A catered lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Afternoon Breaks: Snacks and drinks will be served during scheduled breaks to keep energy levels up.
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To support participation, a regional travel stipend of $100 per person will be provided to the first 50 registrants for the Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) and Reaching Home Indigenous Housing Engagement Workshops. This regional stipend aims to assist with travel-related expenses and ensure accessibility for attendees across the five regions.
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If you need assistance registering for the Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) and Reaching Home Indigenous Housing Engagement Workshops, please email us at urn@fnhic.ca or Reaching.Home@fnhic.ca
For additional information about the workshops or the engagement process, please contact your regional representatives:
Contact Regional Representatives
Northern BC: Naomi McKinnon – naiomi.mckinnon@fnhic.ca
Interior BC: Ryan Oliverius – ryan.oliverius@fnhic.ca
Mainland BC: Christine Loewen – christine.loewen@fnhic.ca
Vancouver Island (North) & West Coast: Kelly Bird – kelly.bird@fnhic.ca
Vancouver Island (South) & West Coast: Doug Harris – doug.harris@fnhic.ca
Our regional representatives are here to assist with your questions and provide support for your participation in these important workshops.
We look forward to your participation and are here to assist with any questions or concerns!