b'HOUSINGnity implemented an alternative Firsttee. Once the critical issue of reliable,Decades ago in Wendake, and in Nations housing model more thansustainable market capital is resolved,many reserve communities now, a fa-50 years ago, which includes sharedimportant capacity related issues suchcility such as Htel-Muse Premires personal, private and governmentas governance, legal frameworks andNations was unimaginable. But the responsibility for housing outcomes. infrastructure can be worked on. model and sustained business acu-Vincent, Lgar and other present- While there is still work to do, the IFImen of the community have made ersincluding Dominique Collin ofnetwork could play a pivotal role init possible. As part of its integrated Waterstone Strategies and Michaeltransforming the housing problem intocommunity development plan, the Rice, a trustee of the First Nationsan innovative solution that will createcommunity now owns a hotel that Market Housing Fundbelieve thatlocal jobs, wealth and opportunity, allprofiles Huron culture, draws tourists the current crisis is a once-in-a-life- by simply releasing the capacity of the time opportunity. As in Wendake,community and abandoning a brokenfrom across the world and provides British Columbia and other pocketssystem that was never meant to worklocal jobs, income and cultural pride to of the country, they envision morein the first place. community members.communities turning their insurmount-able housing problem into a solution that will build sustainable wealth and equity in their home communities over the long term, as well as create major drivers of local employment andbusiness opportunities.After years of research, advocacy and developmental work, the group would like to find other Indigenous organizations to partner with to take the ABSCAN model across the nation. Current partners recognize that there are two main barriers to pursuing this path. First, the housing ecosystem and policy modernization required for First Nations to adopt this model will take political will, time, capacity, effort, education and accompagne-menttimely supports for individu-als, organizations and communities to assist with the growth and transition. Second, based on lessons learned, First Nations will need reliable access to affordable market capital to manage and meet the demands created over the short, medium and long term.To enable the securitization lever, the need for a $150-million fulcrum capital facility was identified. The renowned Roger Casgrain of Casgrain & Company Limited, the largestCanadian independent investment dealer that specializes in the fixed income market, presented a model demonstrating how the Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) network could centrally pool housing loans/assets to attract market capital from investors. Following the presentations, there were two calls to action. Vincent, who is also Board Chair for the NationalAboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), called for the formation of a $150-million capitalfacility committee as well as the formation of a securitization commit- Issue #1, 2023INDIGENOUS PROSPERITY 13'