Tŝilhqot’in, B.C. Housing reaffirm commitment in MOU Celebration

Courtesy of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government:

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government and BC Housing reaffirmed their commitment to develop and share best practices in residential asset management today by publicly celebrating their agreement to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties. The Honourable Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon, joined the Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs in Williams Lake as housing and infrastructure within the Nation was celebrated in a public event.

The MOU was originally signed in March 2020. The extension of the MOU is for an additional three years, expiring on March 25, 2026.

The MOU commits BC Housing and the Tŝilhqot’in Nation to support each other to address the housing crisis in Tŝilhqot’in communities. This includes:

The development of an asset management framework,

Capacity-building and training initiatives,

Capital project business case development,

Mechanisms for knowledge-sharing and documentation, and

Support applying for relevant funding.

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is the national governing body for the Tŝilhqot’in people. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is comprised of six communities located throughout the Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory and is the only Nation in Canada with a court declaration of Aboriginal title (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia).

Chief Joe Alphonse, O.B.C, LL.D. (hon.). Tribal Chair, Tŝilhqot’in National Government stated:

 “Housing is the number one priority for each one of our Tŝilhqot’in communities.  Housing improvements are necessary for the health and safety of our people; we put our people first. Housing is not only an investment in housing, but also in our people and our economy.  Indigenous peoples have endured deplorable living conditions in this country for far too long and the problem continues to get worse. We are in a housing crisis and the time for BC to work with us strategically to address the crisis is overdue. With the recommitment to the Housing MOU between our Nation and the province we hope to take the vital steps necessary to see transformative change in the lives of our people. The Tŝilhqot’in have led the way on many momentous achievements and agreements, and housing is yet another area where we are breaking new ground.”

While the Hon. Ravi Kahlon - BC's Minister of Housing went on to say:

“Our government is listening to the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and Indigenous organizations in B.C., and we are committed to working together to share knowledge and best practices to make housing better for all Tŝilhqot’in people. We’re honoured to reaffirm our partnership with Tŝilhqot’in Nation for an additional three years, in the spirit of collaboration, partnership and family.”