August 22, 2023
The City of Edmonton takes pride in its strong relationship with the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations (the Confederacy). We have had a Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue with the Confederacy since 2012, which was reaffirmed in 2021. The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations and the City of Edmonton have collectively penned a Letter of Intent which was passed in Council today. This letter signifies the next step in the City’s partnership with the Confederacy, and commits to ongoing work and advocacy between the two organizations to increase Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate, affordable housing.
Both the City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations recognize that there is an urgent need for appropriate affordable housing solutions for Indigenous people in Edmonton. About 5,505 of 24,865 of Indigenous households in Edmonton (22 per cent) are in core housing need, and this number is projected to increase to more than 6,700 households by 2026 based on current trends. The Letter of Intent formalizes shared objectives between the City and Confederacy around the advocacy for Indigenous-led affordable housing with other orders of government to address this crisis.
"The solution to Indigenous houselessness and housing insecurity can only be found with an Indigenous-led approach – it starts with us,” said Grand Chief Leonard Standingontheroad, Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations. “We're glad the Mayor and City Council recognize this, and as Treaty partners we will work together with the City of Edmonton to support the wellness and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). Addressing housing needs is central to that, and creating culturally appropriate housing solutions is one of the most powerful steps we can take."
“The relationship between the City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations is extremely important to Council and I. With Indigenous people being overrepresented in houselessness, Grand Chief Standingontheroad and the Chiefs of Treaty No. 6 Nations have shown immense leadership in partnering with the City of Edmonton to find Indigenous-led solutions to the crisis that these communities are facing,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “I look forward to continued collaborative efforts between the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations and the City of Edmonton.”
For more information on the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations, visit
treatysix.org.
