Following a SA国际影视传媒渄isappointingSA国际影视传媒� federal budget, the Dene Nation is calling on the Government of Canada to collaborate more closely with the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Indigenous communities and governments to address the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 housing crisis.

In an April 14 statement, the Dene Nation said the federal budget tabled in Ottawa on April 7 was SA国际影视传媒渄isappointing and continues to leave our families homeless.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淕enocidal processes have uprooted our Dene family,SA国际影视传媒� reads a statement attributed to Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine. SA国际影视传媒淭he federal government must do the right thing and fully support the Dene family in the decision-making process. Building our home is our only priority.SA国际影视传媒�

Housing was touted as a major theme of this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 budget, with the aim of doubling the national rate of home construction in 10 years. New investments include $60 million over two years to the GNWT to support affordable housing and related infrastructure. However, Antoine said, SA国际影视传媒淎llocating funding directly to the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to perpetuate the reliance on government to address the Indigenous housing crisis.

SA国际影视传媒淚 believe the path forward needs government to work with the Dene, who will define the steps required to resolve this mess. This will better reflect the needs of the Dene family,SA国际影视传媒� stated the national chief.

Housing is a chronic issue in the North. A June 2021 report by the NWT Legislative AssemblySA国际影视传媒檚 Standing Committee on Social Development found that 43 per cent of homes in the territory had at least one significant problem. In communities outside of Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik and Fort Smith, that figure rises to between 50 and 77 per cent.

The Dene NationSA国际影视传媒檚 letter includes a list of priorities for improving the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 dire housing situation, based on a Feb. 22 survey. The recommendations urge more options for residents, home designs tailored for Indigenous and Northern communities and more funding directly to Dene governments and communities.

At an April 14 press conference related to the new federal investments in housing, Michael McLeod, the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 member of Parliament, was asked if more funding would be coming directly to communities, as well as the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 two reserves.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been working on trying to ensure all levels of Indigenous governments in the North have funding,SA国际影视传媒� he responded. SA国际影视传媒淭hey do receive funding for housing from the federal government but itSA国际影视传媒檚 really not meeting their needs, they indicate. So weSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to see if we can work on an arrangement.SA国际影视传媒�

At that same conference, Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation Paulie Chinna was asked how funding would be distributed to the communities. She said the housing corporation works SA国际影视传媒渧ery closelySA国际影视传媒� with both communities and local housing authorities when deciding how to allocate funding.

SA国际影视传媒淪o when the money is being being distributed, weSA国际影视传媒檙e really looking (at) and emphasizing partnership, and working with the non-profit organizations, Indigenous groups, Indigenous governments throughout the Northwest Territories,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

A spokesperson for the Dene Nation did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.