First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Strategic Housing Framework

PURPOSEThe development of a comprehensive First Nation, Métis and Inuit Strategic Housing Framework: Respecting theInterests of Off-Reserve Peoples in Ontario is a province wide initiative led by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO),Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) and the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centers (OFIFC).Through eight (8) community focus group sessions and through written responses the MNO, ONWA and OFIFC will setout to obtain a rich set of descriptive data to support the development of a First Nation, Métis and Inuit StrategicHousing Framework: Respecting the Interests of Off-Reserve Peoples in Ontario. These community focus groupsessions will:• Provide an opportunity for critical, open, and transparent discussion to take place;• Provide an opportunity to bridge any/all communication gaps between local, regional and provincial interestgroups wanting to know more about the development of an First Nation, Métis and Inuit Strategic HousingFramework: Respecting the Interests of Off-Reserve Peoples in Ontario; and• Document the current experiences, interests and future challenges confronting off-reserve First Nation, Métisand Inuit communities, organizations and individuals.The First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Strategic Housing Framework: Respecting the Interests of Off-Reserve Peoples in Ontariowill prove to be a collaborative comprehensive document geared to assist Federal, Provincial and Municipal servicemanagers with:• the development of local planning initiatives that pertain to housing development inclusive to off-reserve FirstNation, Métis and Inuit issues, concerns and priorities related to off-reserve housing;• assist service managers with the development of legislated provincial housing and homelessness plans; and• will assist in the development of future housing policy development at the Federal, Provincial and Municipallevel - specific to urban & rural First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Ontario.The finalized First Nation, Métis and Inuit Strategic Housing Framework will be widely distributed among all levels ofgovernment, provincial DSSABS, service managers, and stakeholder organizations throughout the Province of Ontarioin the interest of off-reserve First Nation, Métis and Inuit housing.QUESTIONSCommunity Focus Group questions have been framed within the context of three (3) main categories: culture, capacityand coordination. These categories were chosen based on the identification of emerging themes throughout the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust engagement sessions, supported with follow up survey questions for both thecommunity at large and housing service providers to support the development of the First Nation, Métis and InuitStrategic Housing Framework: Respecting the Interests of Off-Reserve Peoples in Ontario.Ontario Off-­‐Reserve First Nation, Métis and Inuit Housing Strategic Framework 2