In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we're highlighting Indigenous housing leaders whose work is creating lasting change in communities across the country.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Christin Swim, General Manager of Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation and a member of CHRA's Indigenous Caucus Working Group. Over nearly two decades with the organization, Christin has helped expand housing opportunities for Indigenous families while championing approaches rooted in culture, community, and belonging.

Our conversation explored her journey in Indigenous housing, the importance of culturally grounded solutions, and what it meant for Skigin-Elnoog to receive CHRA's 2025 Indigenous Cultural Sustainability Award.

The award recognizes Indigenous housing organizations that successfully integrate culture, community values, and traditions into their work.

 

Christin, thank you for joining us. You've been with Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation for many years. Looking back, what first drew you to this work, and what has kept you passionate about it ever since?

Woliwon kemec, thank you very much for having me, Vena. My career began with Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation when positions were created through the 2006 Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust. One of those initiatives was an innovative homeownership program designed to help Indigenous people living off reserve achieve homeownership. Through that program, we assisted 79 clients in becoming first-time homeowners, something that isn't always attainable for Indigenous families due to historic and systemic barriers. The program went on to receive CMHC's Award for Best Practices in 2010.

What really stayed with me, though, were the families themselves. To witness housing change the trajectory of a person's future was incredibly powerful. That's when I realized housing wasn't just about buildings. It's about opportunity, stability, and hope. I've carried that lesson with me throughout my career.

You started your career at Skigin-Elnoog in 2008 and have grown alongside the organization. How has your perspective on housing and leadership evolved over that journey?

Housing needs are constantly evolving, and so are the communities we serve. Over time, I've come to understand that successful housing starts with understanding people and respecting different life experiences. Everyone needs housing, regardless of their background or circumstances.

As I've grown alongside Skigin-Elnoog, I've had the opportunity to work with community members, housing professionals, government partners, and Indigenous leaders from across the country. Every conversation teaches you something about people.

My leadership style has evolved from focusing primarily on program outcomes to collaborative relationships. I've found that the strongest solutions come from seeking to understand diverse experiences and building trust in an organic way. Good leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about empowering people to seek them. When people feel heard and respected, you're able to build stronger teams, stronger partnerships, and ultimately stronger communities.

Throughout your career, you've worked closely with Indigenous families and communities across New Brunswick. What have those experiences taught you about the role housing plays in people's lives?

In my opinion, housing is one of the most important foundations in a person's life. When someone has access to a safe, affordable, and stable home, everything else becomes more achievable. Over the years, we've seen individuals and families regain confidence, improve their health, pursue education, find employment, and reconnect with their communities once their housing needs are met. Housing creates stability, but it also creates dignity. For Indigenous families, housing can be a pathway back to community, culture, and connection. When people have a stable place to call home, they're better positioned to focus on their families, their traditions, their health, and their future.

In 2025, Skigin-Elnoog received CHRA's Indigenous Cultural Sustainability Award. Tell me about when you first heard the news. What did that recognition mean to your organization?

Our organization was truly honoured to receive the Indigenous Cultural Sustainability Award. Awards are never about one person. They reflect the collective efforts of our staff, board members, Elders, community partners, and the many people who have supported our vision over the years. Receiving this recognition from CHRA was especially meaningful because it acknowledged not only the housing we build, but the values that guide our work. It reinforced something we've always believed: housing works best when it's grounded in culture, community, and the people it serves. It was wonderful to have our community partners join us in Saskatoon to celebrate the award. Their support has been instrumental in helping us achieve what we have, and I believe the award belongs to them as much as it belongs to us.

One project highlighted as part of the award was Mahsus Lane, a housing development created for Indigenous Elders and people with disabilities. What has it meant to see that vision become a reality?

In 2015, our Board created a strategic plan called NIHKANAPOLTIPON (“We Are Looking Forward to the Future”). One of the priorities identified was the need for housing for Elders. After acquiring the land in 2021, we began turning that vision into reality. Every decision was made with the long-term needs of Elders and people with disabilities in mind, ensuring accessibility, safety, and dignity. Welcoming 21 residents into Mahsus Lane in 2024 and 2025 was incredibly rewarding. One of the most meaningful parts was seeing Elders move into a space intentionally designed for them. The impact extended beyond those 21 units. We were able to move five Elders out of larger family homes, creating opportunities for families on our waitlist. We also helped six individuals transition out of homelessness. Seeing those ripple effects throughout the community reminded us that one housing project can positively affect many lives.

You've also been an active member of CHRA's Indigenous Caucus Working Group. What has that experience been like, and what value do you see in Indigenous housing leaders coming together from across the country?

I've had the opportunity to meet and work alongside some incredible professionals through CHRA's Indigenous Caucus. The relationships I've built there have been invaluable. I've learned innovative approaches to housing development, funding strategies, and community engagement from organizations across the country. One of the things I value most is being able to learn from people working in very different regions. While our communities may face different circumstances, many of the challenges are shared. No one organization has all the answers. Being able to learn from each other's successes and challenges helps all of us serve our communities better. I would encourage anyone working in Indigenous housing to become involved with the broader Indigenous Caucus.

The Indigenous housing sector has changed significantly over the past decade. What developments have encouraged you the most, and where do you still see opportunities for growth?

I was very encouraged by initiatives like the Rapid Housing Initiative because they demonstrated what can happen when funding moves quickly and communities are empowered to act. What encourages me most is seeing more Indigenous organizations leading housing solutions for their own communities. We're seeing greater recognition that Indigenous people are best positioned to identify needs and design programs that work. At the same time, I don't believe we're building fast enough. The housing crisis continues to grow, and communities are feeling the impact every day. We need more sustained investments, fewer administrative barriers, and greater trust in Indigenous and community-based housing providers to deliver solutions.

One thing that comes through when people talk about your work is a strong sense of community. What does success look like for you, not just as a housing provider, but as someone serving Indigenous communities?

Success isn't always measured by the number of units built or dollars invested. Sometimes it's found in the small victories. I care deeply about the people I work for and with. They are my brothers, sisters, neighbours, and community members. I'm humbled and honoured to be part of their journeys. I work with a single mother who has faced many challenges with very little support. She recently came into our office and told me she had earned her learner's permit and purchased her first vehicle, something she had always dreamed of doing. Watching her drive away, knowing that stable housing played even a small role in helping her achieve that goal, reminded me what success really looks like.

For Indigenous women and emerging leaders who may be considering a career in housing, community development, or advocacy, what advice would you share with them?

This work is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding if you do it well, and for the right reasons. There will be challenges, but there is always someone in the housing world who has faced something similar before. Find those people. Ask questions. Learn from them. Find mentors and build relationships. Be a strong, positive role model and show up for your clients in the ways the younger version of yourself may have needed. The housing sector needs passionate leaders who care deeply about their communities.

Finally, when you think about the future, what do you hope Skigin-Elnoog's legacy will be for the next generation of Indigenous housing leaders and the communities they serve?

Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation has been serving Indigenous communities for more than 53 years, and that legacy is something we are incredibly proud of. My hope is that future generations inherit an organization that is even stronger than the one we have today, one that continues to build housing, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for Indigenous families. Most importantly, I hope the young people growing up today see themselves reflected in this work and feel inspired to carry it forward. If people look back and say that Skigin-Elnoog helped create stronger communities, supported families when they needed it most, and created opportunities for the next generation, I would consider that a success. Housing is ultimately about people, and I hope that's what our legacy reflects.

 

As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, stories like Christin's remind us that Indigenous housing is about more than infrastructure. It is about people, belonging, and building strong communities for future generations.

Through her work at Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation and alongside fellow leaders in CHRA's Indigenous Caucus, Christin continues to demonstrate what community-led housing can achieve when it is rooted in culture, relationships, and a commitment to future generations.

To stay up to date on the work of the Indigenous Caucus and Indigenous housing leaders from across the country, subscribe to the Caucus newsletter:

https://chra-achru.ca/subscribe-to-the-caucus-newsletter/