Towards Housing Justice for Black and Indigenous Communities

“We are witnessing the beginning of a village, the likes of which have never been seen before. Indigenous Peoples live, share, caring and enjoy everyday life together with Swahili people; two peoples, two cultures fusing, to raise their children together, learn from each other and enhance one another in a modern village setting, and the beginning of a housing solution to some of our marginalized communities.” -Jean-Claude Bakundukize

Celebrate With Us

Join the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition's Community Action Network and Changing the Conversation project at Douglas College in a celebration of Black History Month that honours Black and Indigenous solidarity in the struggle for dignified housing. We are excited to be hosting this conversation alongside the opening of an innovative housing project between Lu’ma Native Housing Society, Swahili Vision International, Aboriginal Housing Management Association, Aboriginal Land Trust Society, and BC Housing.

The evening will feature a kitchen table conversation with advocates, stakeholders, and government officials who will discuss housing precarity faced by Black and indigenous people and celebrate the solutions offered by communities working together.

We will provide a light dinner on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do have opportunity for relationship building for attendees before and after the event. 

This event is supported with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

What to Expect

• 5:00 : Doors open, food and refreshments will be served
• 5:30 : Welcoming and intent setting
• 6:15 : Introduction to the Sixth Street Housing Project and Discussion 
• 7:30 : End of prgramming and opportunity to mingle

Accessibility Information

We will be updating accessibility information in the coming weeks. At this time, the accessibility considerations include:

• ASL will be provided for guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing

• one gender-nuetral washroom is available close to the event space

• Facilitation and discussion will take place in a way that honours dialogue, equity, and justice. 

• We will have a photographer on hand that evening to record the event. If you would not like to be photographed as part of this event, please let us know when you check in at Massey Theatre.

• Masks are encouraged in the space to protect communities. Masks will be available when registering at the venue.

• You will find plenty of free parking at the back of the building if necessary. The venue is accessible by transit.

• Ramp access is available at both entrances for guests with mobility aids and assistive devices