Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and partners release innovative supportive housing video
Press Release
April 23, 2026
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) is excited to announce that they have teamed up with partners in Kenora and Thunder Bay to craft a captivating new video that captures the life-changing power of urban Indigenous-led supportive housing.
Premiering at the 2026 National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) Members’ Gathering, the video, entitled “Building Hope: Indigenous Led Supportive Housing,” is a 15-minute documentary-style video that follows the development journeys of two urban Indigenous-led supportive housing projects in Kenora and Thunder Bay.
The projects featured in this video received funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Affordable Housing Innovation Fund. The partners involved in this collaboration are the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig (WNHAC), Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kenora. This video focuses on how Indigenous-led housing solutions can flourish through collaboration between Indigenous organizations, municipalities, District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs), and housing partners.
“This video shows what it means to build housing that is truly Indigenous-led,” says Justin Lewis, CEO, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. “We walk alongside communities to bring their vision to life, grounded in culture, relationships, and local knowledge. It highlights the strength of these partnerships and how, together, we are creating housing with culturally grounded supports that foster long-term wellbeing.”
“Building Hope: Indigenous-Led Supportive Housing” received funding from the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund (AHIF), which supports new ideas that will drive change and disrupt the industry, including ideas and approaches that will evolve the affordable housing sector and create the next generation of housing in Canada.
“Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need to build capacity to develop local solutions for Indigenous people. Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. This video highlights the profound impact that culturally appropriate housing can have on Indigenous communities. Our government is proud to be one of the partners making these culturally grounded projects happen.” The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
“As part of this video, we follow Autumn’s housing journey – a reflection of the strength of Indigenous women, and a powerful reminder of the urgent need for safe, accessible and culturally grounded housing for Indigenous women and their families,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO, Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) and Chair of the OAHS Board of Directors. “Supportive housing is more than shelter – it is a pathway to safety, healing, cultural connection, and empowerment.”
“Initiating and strengthening partnerships with local Indigenous organizations allows municipalities and service system managers such as ourselves to explore how we can align to support community-driven
solutions, as featured in this video,” says Josee Mantle, Director of Housing Solutions with Kenora District Services Administration Board.
“This video reflects the extensive collaboration and involvement of urban Indigenous organizations, community members, and system partners in Northwestern Ontario, and aligns closely with current sector priorities around supportive housing, reconciliation, and cross-sector collaboration,” says Jacklyn Raynard, Manager of Thunder Bay Transitional Housing Program, Métis Nation of Ontario.
“Aimed at bringing accountability, sustainability, and partnership to the circle, this video demonstrates how trauma-informed supportive housing, grounded in Indigenous culture and values, makes an incredible difference,” says Cathy Bowman, Director of Supportive Services of Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig (WNHAC) in Kenora.
“Indigenous people are disproportionately unhoused in our community, and through our youth transitional housing project, we are working to directly intervene and support Indigenous youth who are experiencing homelessness. This video shares how we connect individuals like Max to housing and programming that allows for connections to culture-based wraparound services that are essential to long-term success,” says Charlene Baglien, Executive Director, Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.
“Meaningful partnerships are essential to achieving better outcomes across our region,” said Sara Dias, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora. “The stories shared in this video highlight how supporting Indigenous-led approaches can have a meaningful and lasting impact for individuals, families, and the community as a whole.”
“Building Hope: Indigenous Led Supportive Housing” will be particularly relevant for leaders across the social services landscape, including decision-makers and policymakers at all levels of government, service managers, and community organizations seeking actionable approaches to advancing Indigenous-led housing solutions. The video can be viewed here https://youtu.be/uRuGs2IVjAc and was created by Evermaven Agency.
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