Technical Services Unit
Support for Successful Housing & Infrastructure Projects.
Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s Technical Services Unit works alongside Member Nations with the housing and infrastructure expertise that every Nation deserves access to. We work with Member Nations, liaise with funders, and provide support through technical assistance, toolkits, and advice on planning, policy, and processes.
We are dedicated to ensuring successful housing and infrastructure projects for our Member Nations.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
What guides this work
Provide Nations with professional support including technical reviews, permitting, inspections, and project-specific engineering support
Strengthen Nation-led governance with mentorship, professional guidance, and policy tools
Assist Member Nations with long-term planning for guidance on capital planning, condition assessments, and maintenance strategies
Develop housing and infrastructure resources including toolkits and template documents
Engage with Member Nations to exchange knowledge and identify common needs
WHAT WE DO
Expertise in service of the Nations.
Safe, well-maintained homes and strong infrastructure are not luxuries. They are foundations — of health, of dignity, and of community wellbeing. The Technical Services Unit exists to make sure every Member Nation has access to the expertise they need to build and maintain them.
That means providing professional support across the full lifecycle of a housing or infrastructure project — from early planning and policy development through to permitting, inspections, and long-term asset management. It means developing practical resources like toolkits and template documents that Nations can adapt and own. And it means mentoring Nation housing staff so that capacity builds locally, not just through external support.
FNHIC HOUSING CONDITION ASSESSMENT PILOT
Building the foundation for long-term housing health.
Under a signed agreement with the First Nation Housing and Infrastructure Council, NmTC is supporting Member Nations through a pilot project focused on residential housing condition assessments. This is not just an inspection program. It is a capacity-building initiative — designed to give Nations the tools and knowledge to plan for their housing futures with confidence.
BUILDING INSPECTION PROGRAM
Growing local capacity, one inspection at a time.
The TSU Building Inspection Program supports Member Nations with renovation and new construction inspections, application support, and mentorship for aspiring building officials. The goal is not just to inspect buildings — it is to grow local inspection capacity so Nations can manage this work themselves over time.
- Renovation scope of work and new construction inspections
- Support for renovation applications
- Mentorship to aspiring building officials
- Strengthening of local inspection capacity
- Support for the development of building permit processes
5
Member Nations supported
120+
inspections completed across 7 Member Nations
$750,000
in renovation funding applications supported
$2.1 million
in pending applications
HOUSING MANAGERS NETWORK
Because housing managers do their best work when they are not working alone.
The Housing Managers Network offers a forum for Nation housing managers to foster relationships and support one another on housing management issues. It is a practical, collegial space that reduces isolation and builds expertise across Nations.
- Share information and best practices
- Identify and prioritize issues
- Collaborate on initiatives
- Provide feedback and recommendations on housing policies and procedures
- Identify opportunities for training and professional development related to housing management
Meet the Team
The people behind the work.
The Technical Services Unit brings together a team of experienced professionals who understand both the technical complexity of housing and infrastructure work and the unique context of First Nations communities. They are here to share their expertise — and to make sure it stays with the Nations long after a project is complete.
Eric Blueschke
Darryl Tunnicliffe
Tim Byron
Gage Peter
RESOURCES
Practical tools for housing and infrastructure.
From the Housing Policy Toolkit to procurement templates, planning guides, and condition assessment resources — the Technical Services Unit develops and maintains a suite of practical tools for Member Nation housing staff and leadership.
Infrastructure Maintenance Management Toolkit
Access the Guides and Templates
Preparing a Community Infrastructure Services Plan
Guides and manual
Housing Policy Toolkit 3.0
Housing Toolkit with new and valuable content available to Canadian First Nations
Housing Sustainability Project
2020-22 Housing Sustainability Project (HSP) Practice Guides
Asset Management Guide
Acquire the guide, checklist, videos, and supplementary materials
Community Land Use Planning Handbook
Access the LUP Handbook and Toolkit & Resources
Infrastructure Planning Guide and Toolkit
Access the Infrastructure Planning Guide and Toolkit
Practical Guide to Housing Support
Obtain the HSP Guide and FAQs, as well as applications
NEWS & EVENTS
The latest from Technical Services.
Project updates, training opportunities, funding news, and more from the Technical Services Unit and the Housing Managers Network.
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First Nations Market Housing Fund and Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council Partner to Strengthen First Nations Housing in Canada
VANCOUVER B.C., OCTOBER 23, 2024 — The First Nations Market Housing Fund (FNMHF) and Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at reinforcing housing policies and procedures for First Nations communities across Canada.With a shared commitment to strong housing policies and procedures, FNMHF and NmTC are forming a framework…
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