Why Attend
The Indigenous Housing & Economic Pathways Summit is a transformative, action-oriented gathering that addresses the full housing value chain—from sustainably harvested timber on First Nations territories through Indigenous-owned forestry, milling, manufacturing, and construction, all the way into community housing. Delegates will leave with the insight, connections, and tools to drive economic self-determination, deliver culturally responsive and energy-efficient homes, access workforce opportunities, and learn from a scalable pilot model with the potential to inform strategies at the regional, provincial, and national level—all guided by Indigenous values, and on Nations' own terms.
Who Should Attend
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First Nations leadership and nation-owned entities
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Indigenous land, resource and stewardship leaders
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Manufacturing, construction and economic delivery partners
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Indigenous entrepreneurs and community businesses
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Workforce, youth and skills pathway leaders
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Capital, finance and investment partners
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Policy, government and systems leaders
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Economic systems builders and innovators
Interested in Sponsoring our Housing Summit?
Our events are made possible through the generosity of partners who believe in what we're building together. If your organization is looking for a meaningful way to connect with Indigenous economic development — whether through an upcoming event or a longer-term partnership — we'd love to have a conversation.
Every partnership we form is bespoke, shaped around your goals and ours.
SUMMIT PROGRAM
IHEPS 2026 Program
Working draft — program subject to change.
Each theme session includes facilitated participant discussion and captures priorities and actions.
DAY ONE
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
9:00–10:00 AM
Opening Welcome, Keynote & Summit Purpose
Set the table for why we are here, how participants will contribute over the two days, and how the conversations and connections will carry forward into the summit report, partnerships and follow-up work.
Why we are here: Connecting housing with Indigenous ownership, businesses, investment, self-determination and long-term community prosperity.
What will happen: Seven working sessions, facilitated participant contributions and scheduled one-on-one B2B meetings.
What happens afterwards: How IEP will capture and share the findings, support relationships and carry agreed next steps forward.
10:00–10:30 AM
Coffee Break
10:30–11:25 AM
Nation-Led Housing as Economic Infrastructure
Explore how Nations are connecting housing, land, governance and partnerships to build community assets, businesses and long-term revenue.
Themes: Nation-led governance, business ownership, partnership structures, community infrastructure, own-source revenue and generational wealth.
11:30 AM–12:30 PM
From Forest to Ownership: Connecting Manufacturing, Capital and Indigenous Economic Opportunity
12:30–2:45 PM
Lunch, morning recap and break
12:30–1:30 PM Lunch
1:30–2:30 PM Recap and discussion of morning sessions
2:30–2:45 PM Break
2:45–4:15 PM
From Forest to Home: Fibre, Manufacturing and Housing Delivery
From stewardship and fibre to products, construction, Indigenous business and employment.
4:15–4:30 PM
B2B meetings
DAY TWO
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
8:00–9:30 AM
Breakfast & Networking
9:30–10:45 AM
Building for the Long Term: Operations, Affordability and Lifecycle
Design, operating costs and maintenance that support community assets over generations.
10:45 AM–12:00 PM
Capital, Ownership and Project Readiness
12:00–1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch and networking.
1:00–2:15 PM
Procurement, Indigenous Business and Workforce Pathways
2:15–2:30 PM
Break
Break.
2:30–3:45 PM
Moving from One-Off Projects to Coordinated Pipelines
3:45–4:00 PM
Summit outcomes and closing
Bring together participant priorities and next steps to guide follow-up work.
4:00–4:30 PM
B2B meetings
Scheduled one-on-one meetings to connect Nations, businesses, industry, government and capital partners.
4:30 PM
Summit Concludes
Susanne Bitzer
604-717-1738 susanne@indigenous.travel
Looking for some help booking travel?
Indigenous Travel Services can help! Their team provides seamless, personalized arrangements—including flights, accommodations, and ground transportation—while delivering culturally mindful service for delegates traveling from near and far.
For bookings or inquiries, contact Susanne and let Indigenous Travel Services handle the details so attendees can focus on connecting, learning, and celebrating.