In rural, remote, and urban Indigenous communities across Canada housing solutions are being explored and implemented through the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative (IHII).
Twenty-four projects were selected among 342 applicants for the five-year $40-million federal program being delivered by Indigenous Services Canada and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).
Ecotrust Canada is one of the partners in the housing initiative. We are offering our communications services to support project leaders who will be sharing their own story through the IHII Circle online platform. The Indigenous Home-Lands initiative is also a mentor supporting the Tree-to-Home project of Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc. in northeastern Ontario.
In January 2020, we produced four videos to share lessons from the Accelerator Launch, when Indigenous innovators, mentors, and partners met on Vancouver Island to launch the Accelerator Phase, a period over 18-months when they will refine their project ideas.
Watch the videos below to learn more about this innovative initiative and visit the IHII Circle to follow the projects.
IHII Accelerator Launch 1: What is impact-based design methodology?
Joseph Kunkel of MASS Design Group shares the intent, purpose, and outcomes that flow from the Impact Design Methodology.
IHII Accelerator Launch 2: The questions around funding an Indigenous housing project
Steering Committee Members Sean Willy, Pamela Glode-Desrochers, and Marcel Lawson-Swain talk about new and different opportunities to leverage funding to unlock new capital for successful projects.
IHII Accelerator Launch 3: Innovative housing site visits in Nanaimo
While in Nanaimo for the Accelerator Launch, the innovators visited two housing projects:
- Nuutsumuut Lelum – a 25 unit passive house development owned and operated by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre; and
- Salish Lelum Youth & Elder Housing – a facility that brings together youth and elders for cultural sharing in a supportive space.
IHII Accelerator Launch 4: Innovators build a community of learning
Tune-in to hear from the Innovators about the partnerships, sharing, and learnings they gained through the Accelerator process.
The Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative (IHII) is a five-year $40M federal program funded by Indigenous Services Canada and delivered in partnership with the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO). An Indigenous Steering Committee selected 24 projects led by Indigenous Innovators to participate in the Accelerator phase where innovators will spend up to 18 months refining their project ideas. Project ideas that meet eligibility criteria will access additional funding to support implementation. Follow or contribute to the community of practice through the IHII Circle.