AHMA Partners with BCNPHA to Present Dr. Cindy Blackstock at BC’s Affordable Housing Conference

Press Releases

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) have come together to form a unique partnership to support the mandates of each organization, and to better support the housing sector in British Columbia.

In addition, as a Gold sponsor of BC’s Affordable Housing Conference (November 22-25, 2015), AHMA has supported BCNPHA to bring Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, to this year’s conference. Dr. Blackstock will deliver a compelling keynote address: ‘Lighting the Long Dark Shadow of Federal Government

Discrimination towards First Nations Children’, which will examine discrimination towards First Nations children and the challenges evident in foster care.

Ray Gerow, CEO of AHMA says: “With the reality of the limited amount of resources and funding available to provide safe affordable housing in our communities, it is paramount that organizations such as BCNPHA and AHMA collaborate in support of our sector. With so many of our members belonging to both organizations, and with our mutual mandate in our communities, this collaborative partnership will pave the way for meaningful change in how affordable housing is delivered in British Columbia.”

Together over the next few years AHMA and BCNPHA will collaborate closely in the areas of events and education, communications, asset management, programs and research. Both organizations will also explore opportunities to create Aboriginal regional dialogue and planning sessions at BCNPHA’s Regional Education, Networking Tradeshow (RENT) events around the province and at the annual conference.

Tony Roy, CEO of BCNPHA adds: “So many of our members are Aboriginal housing providers or provide housing to Métis and First Nations people around the province. Our goal is to make sure we look at our programs, events and services through the lens of those communities. While this is a good start, over time we hope to be even more ambitious and develop ways for our members to grow capacity, save money, and to be more culturally inclusive.”

Click here to learn more about this year’s conference keynote Dr. Cindy Blackstock.

Media Contacts:

Dean Pogas
BC Non-Profit Housing Association
604-291-2600 (Ext.232) office / 604-363-6590
cell dean@bcnpha.ca

Rachel Humenny, Communications Manager
Aboriginal Housing Management
Association 604-921-2462
communications@ahma-bc.org

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