The First Nations Northern Housing Conference is a valuable tool in helping First Nations deal with housing issues.
“It’s to help them network and capacity build for the type of issues that they’re facing. Different communities have different issues,” said Dave Zatulsky, housing inspector for Pwi-Di-Goo Zing Ne-Yaa Zhing Advisory Services.
“There are big issues in Attawapiskat, but not necessarily is every community like that. Many are trying to build better homes and better construction and this type of conference allows them to gain that knowledge to go back to their communities to deal with those things,” Zatulsky said.
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation received a housing innovation award for their work on a 6-plex residential building to help with their housing issues.
The community, located north of Fort Frances, was in dire need of more housing in order to get some of their members who were living off-reserve back in the community, said Zatulsky.
Mitaanjigamiing secured funding from the Canadian Economic Action Plan for the project and it was built by Waskina Construction, which hired nine community members.
Weather difficulties pushed the construction into the winter and one of their major suppliers suffered a fire that destroyed their operation.
“They had to scramble to get building products they had ordered from them,” Zatulsky said.
But the community still managed to get the project finished on schedule and on budget, which is why they won the housing award.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the housing conference and tech services officer Michael Mckay said the conference keeps growing every year.
“We are maxed out on everything,” he said, adding they were at capacity for trade show booths.
“It’s a packed house every session,” Mckay said.
The conference focuses on every aspect of housing from construction, health and safety and administration.
“Every First Nation has their own individual housing plans,” he said.
“One thing a lot of communities want to do is strive for home ownership so they can be proud in their homes.”
