Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative celebrates its first two projects moving toward construction  – Canada.ca

November 23, 2020 — Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, congratulated all those involved in the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative on the first two projects approved to advance to construction.

The two projects will provide residence-based social services to vulnerable populations in the First Nations communities of Muskowekwan in Saskatchewan and Pikangikum in Ontario:

The Innovation Initiative’s Indigenous Steering Committee, composed of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation experts in infrastructure and housing, chose 24 projects out of 342 submissions to participate in the first phase of the Initiative. In this phase, called the ‘Accelerator,’ project teams received funding and support to develop their ideas. The Muskowekwan and Pikangikum projects are the first two that the Steering Committee has approved to advance to the next phase, construction. The other 22 projects continue to advance their projects in the ‘Accelerator.’

The Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative aims to support the voices and ideas of Indigenous Peoples directly and complement the Government of Canada’s commitment  to close current socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Supporting Indigenous-led innovative approaches and new ideas will help spark changes that can lead to better housing and social and economic conditions. The Initiative is part of the Privy Council Office’s Impact Canada family of challenges and initiatives that engage Canadians on developing innovative solutions for their communities.