b"Davis thinks Indigenous partner- will allow expansion of capacityis landed, we are helping deliver ships are very important in renew- as required to deliver projectsthat work in a holistic, inclusive able energy, and First Nations bringthat positively impact the lives ofway, including capacity, commu-a lot of value to the table. FirstIndigenous people, regardless ofnity development, networking Nations hold a major advantageproject location of complexity.and increased relationship and hold a very strong role to playbuilding in other partnerships.in that conversation, he explains.SOAR President Ryan Dunbar is a First Nations, in some cases, haveprofessional engineer and proudTime is another common key direct ownership and control overmember of Kingsclear First Nationelement in improving relation-significant amounts of very stra- in New Brunswick. He worked atships with Indigenous communi-tegic areas of land throughoutDillon for a number of years beforeties. Kenequanash, Davis, Dunlop North America. developing the idea for SOAR. Dunbar has a clear understandingand Hanlon all indicate that The two preceding examples areof First Nations governance andspending time with Indigenous perhaps the most recent andtheir particular needs. Dillon CEOcommunities is not only a path well-known partnerships in theSean Hanlon was behind Dunbartowards better understanding, energy industry. What doesnt getall the way to support the idea ofbut is also a way to establish discussed as often are partner- developing the SOAR partnership.transparency and clarity from the ships in the private sector. SOARbeginning of arelationship. Professional Services has a uniqueAs an Indigenous-owned consulting partnership with Dillon Consultingfirm, SOAR can deliver a span ofAlthough there are similar basic Limited, which was aptly launchedservices in a well-rounded manneringredients in the recipe for on National Indigenous Peoplesto help communities achievesuccess, Kenequanash cautions Day, June 21st, of last year.their infrastructure and economicstaying away from a cookie-cutter development goals. Were securingapproach. On establishing a According to a media release,the funding for projects that aresuccessful partnership, she adds, SOARs partnership with Dilloninnovative, that are driven by what Consulting provides the new firmwe heard from the communitiesWeve got to be able to learn with access to significant tech- is what they needed, Dunbarfrom each other and appreciate nical resources and expertise, andsays. And then once the fundingthedifferences.AHMA'S PROVINCIAL URBAN, RURALAND NORTHERN INDIGENOUSHOUSING STRATEGY 13 STRATEGIC ACTIONS + 4 KEY OBJECTIVES-www.ahma-bc.orgFOUNDATIONAL HOUSING UNITS & SAFE & SUPPORTIVE INDIGENOUSFUNDING & AFFORDABILITY ENVIRONMENTS HOUSING EXPERTISESTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE1Support AHMA as an 4 Ensure sustainability of 9 Provide funding to embed 12 Develop a plan to supportindependent housing existing units operated and culturally appropriate wrap Indigenous housing providersauthority with appropriate maintained by AHMA around services and enable in developing talent and infunding and resources. members. cultural recognition within attracting, retaining, andhousing to support the strengthening Indigenous2 Establish a fourth stream 5 Build 12,850 subsidized success of individuals and staff. within the NHS to fund Indigenous-owned and families.housing for Indigenous operated housing units over 13Increase resources topeople living in urban, rural, the next 10 years. 10 Modernize social housing Indigenous housing andand northern settings. frameworks to remove service providers and provide6 Create 5,400 new supportive impediments for both housing funding for AHMA to3 Ensure equitable housing units for individuals as providers engaging in revenue strengthen the Indigenousdistribution of funds to well as families with intensive generation and disincentives housing sector.Indigenous households in support needs.for tenants to engage in paidcore housing need.employment. 7 Provide rent / affordabilityassistance to 10,350 Indigenous 11 Address barriers to Four Key Objectiveshouseholds who have access to accessing housing forgood market housing but Indigenous people. cannot afford their rent orownership housing costs. 8 Establish a support plan thatcreates pathways providingIndigenous people withdifferent options on thehousing continuum, includingsupporting 1,400 households toaccess affordablehomeownership.FORWARD MAGAZINE | VOLUME 1 2022 15"