SUBMITTED BY:
CHF Canada Board of Directors

CONTACT:
Tim Ross
Director, Strategic Affairs
311 – 225 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON   K2P 1P9
Tel.: (800) 465-2752

Email: tross@chfcanada.coop

This resolution is for the meeting of:
✓ all CHF Canada members
Ontario Members

WE RESOLVE:

1. THAT CHF Canada undertake to develop, with appropriate guidance and advice, a plan for reconciliation that will guide its future actions in working with Indigenous peoples in a meaningful way;
2. AND THAT CHF Canada encourage member housing co-operatives and other member organizations to reflect upon and take action towards Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in their housing co-operatives and in their communities.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

1. Canadians are coming to realize that Canada’s history and relationship with Indigenous peoples lacks both equity and justice. In 2016, Canada became a supporter of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
2. In recognition of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 2015 report and the resulting 94 Calls to Action, CHF Canada can play a role in answering these Calls to Action.
3. CHF Canada is fully committed to the co-operative value of equity, and the seventh co-op principle, Concern for Community, which includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
4. Developing a direct community response to the TRC’s Calls to Action demonstrates a commitment to a long-term process of healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
5. The 2017 annual meeting included a workshop about inclusion and reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Participants were interested in practical ideas and action items to contribute to the reconciliation process.
6. There are many examples of housing co-ops that are taking action towards reconciliation, including Diane Frankling Co-operative Homes (Toronto, ON), which has made a commitment to provide ongoing education to its members on Indigenous Peoples, and the Bain Apartments Co‑operative (Toronto, ON), which has installed a memorial Honour Canoe in its community along with a permanent land acknowledgement. CHF Canada and other housing co-ops can gain information and insight from these and other examples.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Costs associated with developing a plan for reconciliation are estimated to be around $15,000 and can be accommodated within the 2018 national operating budget.