b'HOUSINGTransformingFirst NationsHousing and Infrastructure SystemsF irst Nations housing has long been affected by the shadow ofcolonial policies, barriers in the Indian Act and top-down federal approaches. Addressing the legacy of colonialization requires new ways and means towards sustainable housing and reliable infrastructure. The National First Nations Housing and RelatedFIRST NATIONS HOUSING AND Infrastructure Strategy (the Strategy) provides a historic opportunity to changeINFRASTRUCTURE COUNCILcurrent housing and related infrastructureIN BRITISH COLUMBIAgovernance and delivery into systems that are relevant, innovative, effective,The First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Council in British Columbia (FNHIC-BC) sufficiently funded and managed from ais championing the way towards care and control of their housing and infrastructure. First Nations perspective.Under a mandate from the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit and Mandates to transfer authorities hasB.C. Assembly of First Nations, the FNHIC-BC was established in 2017 to create a First already been set out in legislation inNations housing and infrastructure authority in British Columbia. FNHIC-BC strives the Department of Indigenous Servicesto ensure the needs, perspectives and ideals of B.C. First Nations are meaningfully Act 2019, directing Indigenous Servicesconsidered through ongoing engagement and discussion. The By First Nations, for Canada (ISC) to work collaboratively andFirst Nations model of building a Housing and Infrastructure Authority will lead to advance First Nations self-determinationtransformed housing, infrastructure governance and delivery systems of responsibility, in the delivery of services, includingfunding and program delivery and services. housing and infrastructure. The transferWith a team of First Nations housing and infrastructure sector leaders, FNHIC-BC of services from the federal government iswill build an authority that will provide the opportunity for First Nations and/or Tribal not about devolution processes, but ratherCouncils to design and deliver programs and services that suit their needs.First Nations assuming authority. TheSince 2017, FNHIC-BC has worked with federal and provincial governments to find transfer of authority means handing overways to collaborate across the jurisdictionsa historical obstacle in advancing First responsibility and control in decision- Nations housing and infrastructure. In 2019, FNHIC-BC signed a Memorandum making and funding surrounding housingof Understanding with ISC that establishes a formal mandate for a collaborative, and infrastructure to First Nations intergovernmental relationship. Together, they have set out a workplan towards autonomy and independence that wasauthority transfer. once lost. After completing two phases of engagements and interviews with First Nations Vital to the success of the Strategy is theleadership and housing and infrastructure personnel, FNHIC-BC has moved into Phase data to determine First Nations housing3 (conducted entirely online due to COVID-19), where pathways towards transformation and related infrastructure needs. Theare being explored. FNHIC-BC is holding a series of webinars aimed at informing data gathered across regions in 2018-2019First Nations about many elements of transfer such as governance, finance, readiness, will be presented in a soon-to-be-releasedprograms and services. The webinars are followed by regional report that will help shape the StrategysZoom sessions, where feedback is gathered from First Nations. implementation and associated costs andFNHIC-BC is hearing a strong message about the need for provide an evidence-based argument forFirst Nations to move towards self-determination and self-sufficient and sustainable funding. A jointsustainability in housing and infrastructure. The momentum working group developed the Strategycontinues as other regions develop their strategies and plans and Implementation Plan to serve asin this new era of systems that respect the inherent right of First guide for First Nations to develop theirNations to self-govern and determine their own future.own strategies and approaches in a way 60 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'