Overview and Draft Agenda

Event Overview

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National First Nations Homelessness and Mental Wellness Forum will feature plenary sessions, interactive dialogues, and workshops aimed at promoting wholistic and culturally informed policy approaches. Key topics to be discussed include:

• Intersecting impacts of health, spirituality, and culture on First Nations’ mental wellness.
• Strategies for upholding First Nations’ self-determination and governance in mental wellness and homelessness initiatives.
• Overcoming service delivery deficits that impact community well-being.
• Developing proactive, community-led responses to mental health and homelessness challenges.
• Empowering First Nations youth through targeted mental wellness programs.

Event Objectives

• Engage in discussions on the AFN National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan and the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework.
• Advocate for integrated, culturally relevant strategies that place mental wellness at the core of homelessness initiatives.
• Drive regional and national initiatives forward, highlighting best practices and challenges in addressing First Nations homelessness and mental wellness.

Draft Agenda

Tuesday, November 12

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  – Forum Registration Open – Crystal Pavilion Ballroom Foyer

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception – Cypress Suites

Wednesday, November 13

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Forum Registration Open

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies, Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions

Thursday, November 14

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions and Closing Ceremonies

 

Accommodations

The Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver has set aside rooms for forum delegates with a generous discount rate. Please note that there are a limited number of discounted rooms available. We advise you to book your room as soon as possible.

Pan Pacific Vancouver: 300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

Rooms are available for occupancy beginning  November 12 to November 15, 2024, at the rate of $279 plus applicable taxes.

Booking Link

Reservations Direct Phone: (604) 662-8111 or Toll-Free Number: 1-800-663-1515

Travel Information

Indigeno Travel is the preferred travel agency of the AFN. Indigeno Travel is Indigenous-owned and its service comes complete with conference discounts, 24/7 emergency service for unforeseen flight changes, and a dedicated agent for personalized service. Please contact Indigeno, toll-free at 1-888-202-8262, or by email at [email protected] to make your flight arrangements.

AIR CANADA

Your Air Canada promotion code: RCQQ2FA1

This is a promotion code for the AFN Forum. To book a flight with your promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.  To qualify for the Meeting and Conventions special fares a minimum of 10 delegates are required traveling from various origins to the same destination within Air Canada’s extensive North American and international network.  Customers will benefit from an instant online registration and enjoy a 10 % discount on eligible fares.

Applicable Rules:

• The booking is to be made to the following city: Vancouver, British Columbia
• The travel period begins on Wednesday, November 6 and ends Thursday, November 21.
• Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• For North America 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares and higher. For international travel 10% on standard fares and higher.

The booking is to be made to the following city: Vancouver, British Columbia

The travel period begins on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and ends Friday 22, 2024

• Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
• For North America 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For international travel’ 10% on standard fares and higher.

WESTJET

Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web: 5J6X8RP

Promo Code: Travel Agent GDS only: YBN34

Westjet can confirm that, for the AFN National Homelessness and Mental Wellness Forum, they are able to offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests traveling Trans-border. To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online.

Applicable Rules:

• The booking is to be made to the following city: Vancouver, B.C.
• The travel period begins: 11/6/2024
• The travel period ends: 11/21/2024

No discount will apply to Basic or Business Class bookings.

PORTER

Porter Airlines is proud to offer up to 10% discount on available base fares (with the exception of the lowest class fare during a public seat sale) for travel to and from the AFN National Homelessness and Mental Wellness Forum. The discounted fares are available for booking from August 01, 2024, to November 12, 2024. 

The discounted fare is available for travel from all locations to Vancouver (YVR) from November 10, 2024, to November 13, 2024, and return from Vancouver (YVR) to all locations from November 14, 2024 to November 17, 2024.

Please book online at www.flyporter.com or through your travel agent using promo code “NHMW24”. 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Please check our website regularly for the latest updates.

• Sponsorship Package

Accessibility

The AFN is committed to ensuring that our events are safe and accessible spaces where individuals of all abilities can participate fully and with dignity. For questions about accessibility or to request support during the event, such as American Sign Language Interpretation, Langue des Signes Quebecoise interpretation, reserved seating for those who use mobility devices, access to a quiet room for those with sensory processing disabilities, Braille materials, etc., please contact [email protected] by October 21, 2024.