I had the chance to sit down with Jackie Hunt, CHRA’s Indigenous Caucus Chair, to discuss her journey in community leadership, advocacy for Indigenous housing, and the path forward in addressing homelessness. From her early experiences in public service to her work on the national stage, Jackie shares insights into the challenges, triumphs, and vision that drive her commitment to housing and community development.

Vena: Jackie, it's a pleasure to have you with us today. To start, could you share the journey that led you to your current role as Senior Director of Strategy and Impact at End Homelessness Winnipeg?

Jackie: Thank you for having me, Vena! My path to this role has been shaped by a deep commitment to community service and social justice. Before joining End Homelessness Winnipeg, I had the privilege of working with several organizations that allowed me to engage directly with communities in need. I co-founded The Kindred Project, a non-profit that provided period products to people experiencing poverty, which taught me the importance of addressing both immediate needs and systemic issues. I also spent many years as the Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba, where I had the chance to build networks and create partnerships across the province to strengthen volunteerism and community support.

Along the way I spent my time serving as an elected official of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot and as the Director of Housing for the Manitoba Métis Federation, which helped me develop a deep understanding of local governance and the challenges facing communities.

This combination of experiences, coupled with a deep desire to make a lasting impact, led me to End Homelessness Winnipeg. In my role as Senior Director of Strategy and Impact, I have the chance to focus on creating sustainable solutions for those experiencing houselessness.

Vena: Reflecting on your tenure as mayor of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot, what were some significant challenges you faced, and how have those experiences influenced your approach to community leadership?

Jackie: One of the key challenges was managing the expectations of a diverse population. Rural communities often face unique challenges, such as limited resources and access to services, which requires a creative and practical approach to governance. I quickly realized that effective leadership meant not only addressing immediate concerns but also working towards long-term solutions.

Another major challenge was navigating the complexities of municipal decision-making. It was crucial to build consensus among council members, stakeholders, and the community, particularly on issues that required tough decisions, such as budget cuts or prioritizing certain projects over others. It taught me the importance of listening—truly listening—to the community’s needs and being transparent about the challenges we faced.

These experiences have profoundly influenced my approach to leadership. I learned that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about empowering others, building trust, and fostering collaboration. It’s also about making tough decisions, when necessary, but always with a focus on doing what’s right for the people you serve. Those lessons continue to guide me in my current role, where I focus on creating meaningful, community-driven solutions to address houselessness and other social issues.

Vena: Your extensive experience in the non-profit sector includes serving as Executive Director for Volunteer Manitoba and co-founding The Kindred Project. How have these roles shaped your perspective on addressing homelessness and community development?

Jackie: My roles in the non-profit sector, particularly as the Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba and as a co-founder of The Kindred Project, have played a significant role in shaping my perspective.

At Volunteer Manitoba, I had the opportunity to work closely with community organizations and volunteers from across the province. This experience reinforced the idea that community development is a collective effort, one that thrives when diverse individuals and organizations work together. I saw firsthand how volunteerism can create positive social change but also, how deeply systemic issues require sustained, coordinated efforts. This made me realize that addressing houselessness isn't just about providing immediate relief but also about addressing the broader systemic issues that contribute to it.

Co-founding The Kindred Project was a deeply personal and impactful experience for me. It highlighted the power of community-driven initiatives to meet immediate needs, like providing period products to people in need. However, it also reinforced the importance of addressing long-term needs and creating spaces where all voices are heard. Through The Kindred Project, I learned how important it is to ensure that every initiative, is designed in a way that respects dignity and promotes self-sufficiency.

Both roles taught me that community development requires a multi-faceted approach—one that combines immediate, tangible actions with efforts to change the systems that perpetuate inequality. This mindset has directly influenced my approach to homelessness. At End Homelessness Winnipeg, for example, we believe in the "housing first" model, which prioritizes getting people into stable housing and then offering support to address other issues. This is a more holistic, sustainable approach to addressing houselessness, one that considers both the immediate needs, and the systemic challenges people face.

Vena: How have you spent your time in the first year as the Indigenous Communities Board Member and Chair of the Indigenous Caucus at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA)?

Jackie: When I joined the CHRA board and took on the role of Chair of the Indigenous Caucus, I quickly realized there was much to learn. Over the past year, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the broader landscape of Indigenous housing needs by attending national advocacy discussions and engaging with counterparts across the country. These conversations have been invaluable in helping me grasp the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities regarding housing.

Given my focus on ending houselessness, I bring a perspective that may differ from traditional housing providers, and I believe this will help guide the Caucus in tackling issues from a broader viewpoint.

It is important to highlight that for the past decade, the Indigenous Caucus has been committed to the development and establishment of NICHI, an organization that has become a crucial part of the housing sector. Once NICHI was up and running, however, the question arose: “What’s next?” As a result, we have spent considerable time and effort reassessing our strategic direction, with the goal of better addressing the current and future needs of our members.

Vena: The Indigenous Caucus has been vocal about the need for immediate action on Indigenous housing. Could you elaborate on these advocacy efforts and any progress made?

Jackie: The Indigenous Caucus has been actively advocating for immediate action to address the Indigenous housing crisis. This process has included in-depth discussions on how we can more effectively advocate for and support Indigenous housing across the country, ensuring we are not only addressing immediate concerns but also laying the foundation for long-term solutions. A significant part of our ongoing work has been advocating for the federal government to release the remaining $2.8 billion in promised housing funds. The Caucus has made it clear that these funds must be allocated, and we are actively demanding that the government announce the organization responsible for their distribution. This is a critical step in ensuring that promised resources are finally put into action to address the housing crisis in Indigenous communities.

As we are preparing for the election and the next government, the CHRA has establish priority items that we will be pushing for during this election cycle.  We will continue to press the government of the day to ensure that Indigenous housing remains a priority for this government.

Vena: As Senior Director of Strategy and Impact at End Homelessness Winnipeg, what are your primary objectives, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Jackie: End Homelessness Winnipeg is an Indigenous-led, capacity-building organization dedicated to creating sustainable, long-term solutions to end chronic houselessness. As the Senior Director of Strategy and Impact, my role focuses on ensuring that our efforts are grounded in evidence-based strategies. I work closely with the managers of our four pillars—housing supply, prevention, person-centred supports, and evaluation & measurement—to ensure their work advances our goal of ending chronic houselessness. We rely on strong community partnerships, continuous research, data analysis, and a commitment to systemic change. Central to our approach is amplifying the voices of those with lived experience of houselessness, whose insights are crucial for driving meaningful, lasting change.

Vena: What guidance would you offer to emerging leaders in Indigenous communities who aspire to drive change in housing and social services?

Jackie: I urge you to ground your work in culture and tradition. As a Métis woman, I’m still learning the depth of this in my own journey, but I’ve come to realize the immense value in Indigenous teachings. Understanding our history is crucial, as it will empower us to create meaningful change moving forward.

Collaboration and strong partnerships are essential in leadership. Recognizing that you cannot do this work alone is key to finding the support you need to succeed. Build respectful partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, and other Indigenous-led organizations. Working together with shared intentions will lead to greater success.

Don’t focus solely on the immediate challenges—be future-focused. Commit to creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that address the root causes of housing insecurity and social challenges. Building homes is only one part of the solution; we must also create diverse, culturally appropriate housing options with the necessary supports in place. This work takes time, so keep your long-term vision in mind to stay focused on the bigger picture.

Advocate persistently for the work you’re doing. Hold governments accountable for their role in solving the housing crisis. Whether through public campaigns, alliances, or engaging in political processes, be creative and steadfast in your advocacy.

Lastly, remember that leadership also means teaching. The next generation is watching, and the future of our sector lies with them. Share your knowledge, encourage growth, and help others discover their own strengths. Foster opportunities for your team to thrive—who knows what might emerge when you give them the space to develop.

Vena: Looking ahead, what is your vision for Indigenous housing and houselessness in Canada over the next decade?

Jackie: Looking ahead, my vision for Indigenous housing and houselessness in Canada over the next decade is one of transformative change, driven by self-determination, cultural respect, and long-term sustainability. I envision a future where Indigenous communities, both on-reserve and in urban areas, have access to safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing—housing that goes beyond providing shelter to support health, healing, and well-being for individuals and families. It's essential that Indigenous peoples are at the forefront of decision-making, ensuring that solutions are for Indigenous, by Indigenous, to be truly sustainable and meet the needs of our communities.

To stay updated on the Indigenous Caucus’s work and advocacy efforts, subscribe to our newsletter here: CHRA Indigenous Caucus Newsletter.