“Article 21 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states: 1. Indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. 2. States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities.”

“Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. In particular, Indigenous peoples have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other economic and social programs affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer such programs through their own institutions.”

In Memory of Don McBain

“Don believed in people. In many different capacities and to many different people, Don was a mentor, supervisor, and coach. Don continually invested his time and energy in people with compassion and passion. The Don McBain Memorial Award is one small way that the OAHS team has come together to tangibly continue Don’s legacy of helping and investing in people.”

“The For Indigenous By Indigenous (FIBI) National Housing Strategy proposal has, as its foundation, a service-based approach to assisting Indigenous People who need housing.  The Strategy calls for the Government of Canada to acknowledge and support the 45 year history of successful provision of urban native, and rural and native housing, and to financially support the proposed program elements and investments to continue to meet client needs in urban, rural and northern parts of Canada.”