The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host the 2nd National First Nations Homelessness and Mental Wellness Forum on November 18-19, 2026, on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, in Toronto, Ontario.
Building on the success of the first forum of this kind held in 2024, this year’s forum is designed as a platform for engagement, advocacy, and information sharing, with discussions on homelessness, mental wellness, First Nations veterans’ support, transitional supports for those exiting the criminal justice system, and the needs of men and boys. Sessions will include updates on homelessness research, regional initiatives, and government priorities.
All forum activities will take place at the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2L2. Note that a webcast of all plenary sessions is available; please register online noting the option for virtual attendance.
Who should attend?
- Persons with lived or living experiences of homelessness
- First Nations chiefs and their representatives
- Professionals in the homelessness and mental health sectors, including service providers
- Consultants, technicians, and government
- First Nations housing, health and social managers and technicians
- First Nations organizations
Objectives
- Enhance awareness and support among Chiefs, technicians, service providers and administrators through discussion, drawing on the AFN’s National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan and the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework.
- Provide an opportunity for First Nations to advance the objectives of the National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan.
- Promote a wholistic and culturally safe approach to addressing First Nations homelessness by ensuring mental wellness is a central part of policy discussions.
- Facilitate discussions on other AFN, regional, and First Nations-led initiatives related to homelessness and mental wellness.
For more information and to register: https://afn.ca/events/2nd-national-first-nations-homelessness-and-mental-wellness-forum/