About the Event Sixth Annual National Forum on Income Assistance
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting the Sixth Annual National Forum on Income Assistance (IA) to gather First Nations case managers and administrators to network, share best practices, and discuss priorities and core program elements for the reformed IA Program.
Register NowForum Goals
- Provide First Nations with information on IA Program reform, including the cost analysis of the First Nations-developed policy recommendations.
- Ground our work in the history and regional variations of the IA Program, examine current administrative and governance realities, and envision future IA Program delivery models rooted in innovation, self-determination, and First Nations values.
- Provide a safe environment for IA case managers and administrators to network, share information and best practices.
Who should attend?
- First Nations IA case managers and administrators
- First Nations with lived experience
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Proposed Forum Agenda
- Overview of the AFN Advocacy on IA Program Reform
- Updates from Indigenous Services Canada
- Panels and speakers on key topics related to IA reform, including:
- Income Assistance Costing
- Developing a Customizable Reform Framework
- Lateral Kindness
- Regional Administration Variances
- The Impact of Funding Agreements on Policy
- Self- Governance and IA
- Guaranteed Liveable Income and First Nations Perspectives
- Breakout session to provide input on:
- Identifying program gaps and supplementary supports
Registration
The AFN welcomes IA administrators, case managers and other IA professionals to register for the National Forum, taking place from February 3 to 5, 2026. Registration is available through meetings.afn.ca. Please note the AFN will ensure adequate regional representation from all regions. The AFN team leads will follow up by e-mail to confirm registration. A wait list will be maintained as needed. If you have questions about registration, please contact the AFN Social Development Sector at [email protected].
Resources
Documents & Reports
- Assembly of First Nations: First Nations Policy Recommendations for Indigenous Services Canada’s On-Reserve Income Assistance Program Reform – From Surviving to Thriving
- The 2024 IA Forum Summary Report
- IA Costing Infographic
AFN Resolutions
- AFN Resolution 85/2023, Support for the Technical Working Group on Social Development to Continue Income Assistance Reform
- AFN Resolution 58/2023, A Study on First Nations Guaranteed Liveable Income
- AFN Resolution 07/2022, Reform of the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
- AFN Resolution 15/2022, Major Investment Needed to Build Fully Accessible First Nations
- AFN Resolution 89/2019, Continuing First Nations Income Assistance Program Reform
- AFN Resolution 98/2019, Poverty Reduction for All First Nations in Canada
- AFN Resolution 28/2018, Support for the Establishment of a Technical Working Group on Social Development
- AFN Resolution 47/2018, First Nations Oversight of Canada’s National Poverty Reduction Strategy
- AFN Resolution 59/2017, Advancing the Human Rights of Indigenous Persons with Disabilities
- AFN Resolution 108/2017, Case Management Services for Income Assistance Recipients
Useful Links
Accessibility
The Assembly of First Nations is honoured to host the Sixth Annual Income Assistance Forum to enable persons of all abilities to participate fully and equally.
If you have any accessibility requirements or require other accommodations, please include them on the registration form. The AFN will follow up on all accessibility requests to make every effort to accommodate needs identified on the registration forms; however, accommodations cannot be guaranteed. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact the AFN Social Development Sector at [email protected].