[Witness spoke in Cree]
[English]
Good afternoon, esteemed members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. My name is Grand Chief Cody Thomas. I'm the Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the Chief of Enoch Cree Nation.
I'm speaking to you today from my home in Enoch Cree Nation, located within Treaty 6 territory.
First off, I apologize, but I do need to acknowledge the opening prayer, and I do need to be thankful to the Creator for the opening day of our life, the life we're given today. I want to thank the Creator and acknowledge the opening prayer.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about a matter of critical importance to first nations communities: housing as a fundamental right.
I'm hoping to be blunt with my remarks today, starting with the fact that housing is a fundamental human and treaty right, yet for many first nations communities this is not a reality. Sixty per cent of unhoused people suffering on the streets of Edmonton are indigenous. There is a total lack of housing available to first nations people on and off reserve. We are in a crisis, and we need more support now.
The cycle of inadequate housing, inadequate funding, overcrowding and homelessness continues to plague our people, compounding issues related to health, education and overall well-being. It is critical to understand that housing is not just about having a roof over one's head. It is about creating a continuum of housing opportunities and building safe, stable environments in which individual families can thrive.
The housing crisis in first nations communities is rooted in several issues. Many homes are in despair and lack basic amenities such as clean water and proper sanitation. Overcrowding is rampant, leading to conditions that are harmful to physical and mental health. There is mould in our homes. Furthermore, the lack of adequate housing often forces our members into urban centres, where they face additional challenges related to discrimination, unemployment and access to services, not to mention the rising rental costs facing everyone in our cities today.
To say that our nations are funded inadequately to address these challenges is a massive understatement. Enoch Cree Nation, for example, receives $184,000 in funding each year to build new housing for our members, yet we have 500 families on our waiting list. In discussing this with our Treaty 6 chiefs, I have heard about similar funding amounts for their nations, while thousands of additional families across Treaty 6, across the confederacy, are in need of housing. This is woefully inadequate to address the housing needs of our people. How are we expected to provide safety and security to our people with that level of funding?
The recent Auditor General report confirms our concerns as chiefs. The AG report stated that there has been “no meaningful improvement in housing” since this government took power in 2015. We have seen no meaningful progress to address the first nation housing gap. In 2021, the AFN estimated the gap to be at $44 billion, and we know that in 2024 the number is much higher, perhaps as high as $60 billion in reality. We know also that CMHC has been relying on 2001 census data, denying first nations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba over $250 million in funding that we are all entitled to.
We watch as organizations with national scope are presented as offering solutions to our people, yet we do not see any Albertan first nation representation on these bodies.
In terms of health and well-being, what does all of this mean for our people? There is a direct link between housing and health. Poor housing conditions contribute to the prevalence of respiratory illness, infectious diseases and mental health issues. The stress and instability associated with inadequate housing can also lead to higher rates of substance abuse and domestic violence. Addressing the housing crisis is not just a matter of infrastructure. It is also a critical step towards improving the overall health and well-being of our communities.
We have arrived at a critical juncture, where it will take a united commitment to address these challenges, a commitment from all orders of government to work together alongside first nations. Temporary solutions are no longer sufficient. We need more transformative, lasting approaches that address the root cause of housing instability. Achieving this will require collaboration between first nations and municipal, provincial and federal governments; and between private and non-private sectors.
What solutions do we propose?
We need to invest in sustainable housing projects. We need investments in building new energy-efficient homes that meet the cultural and environmental needs of our communities. These projects should prioritize local employment and training opportunities, empowering our people to be part of the solution. These projects should recognize our limited land bases and support both on- and off-reserve housing construction.
We need to renovate existing infrastructure. Many existing homes need urgent repairs and upgrades. Programs that provide funding and resources for renovations can help improve living conditions and extend the lifespan of current housing stock.
We need support for mental health and addictions services. Housing initiatives must be integrated in comprehensive support services, including mental health and addictions services. Providing these services within the community helps ensure that individuals have the stability they need to recover and thrive.
We need long-term funding and policy commitments. Addressing the housing crisis requires long-term, sustainable funding and policy commitments. This includes ensuring that funding mechanisms are flexible and responsive to the unique needs of first nations communities, and that the bodies in charge of this funding include representation from our people, not individuals who claim to speak for us.
In closing, I urge this committee and the broader government to engage in constructive dialogue with first nation leaders and our technicians. By working together, we can develop a comprehensive, collaborative action plan that ensures that every member of our community has access to safe, adequate and affordable housing. This is not just a housing issue. It is a step towards reconciliation and a more equal future for all.
Thank you for your time and attention. I'm happy to answer any questions that committee members might have about the reality of housing for Treaty Six First Nations.
Hay hay.