Jaimee Gaunce

FOCUSED WORK Support Knowledge Translation Regulatory Compliance Environmental Safety Opening housing for women and children, victims of domestic violence, seniors, and the most vulnerable. Providing rent/affordability assistance to 10,350 Indigenous households who have access to good market housing but cannot afford their rent or ownership housing costs. Establishing a support plan that creates pathways providing Indigenous people with different options on the housing continuum, including 1,400 households to access affordable homeownership. Strategic-thinking individual experienced in turning low-performing organizations into top revenue producers. Offering engaging and pleasant personality with expertise improving customer relationships. Innovative and experienced individual with expertise in project management and creative problem-solving. Skilled in project coordination, film crew management and innovative solution development. Committed to creating engaging and meaningful content for viewers.

• Recognized for her adept integration of empirical data with the authenticity of lived experiences, Jaimee has carved out a reputation as a highly regarded Indigenous policy influencer on the international stage
• Originating from the Pasqua First Nation within the Treaty Four Territory of Saskatchewan, Jaimee has dedicated her professional pursuits to enhancing the empowerment of Indigenous communities within housing and natural resource sectors across Canada, the U.S., and globally
• Her insights into public policy and Indigenous affairs are in considerable demand
• Beyond her contributions in advising clients at Homeward, Jaimee also holds a pivotal role on the Justice Committee for her home nation
• Her expertise further extends to her contributions to the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association and her active participation on a variety of committees and boards within the community housing sphere
• Jaimee is deeply committed to guiding organizations as they embed meaningful public policy and honor Indigenous reconciliation in their day-to-day operations, all with the goal of fostering self-reliance and cultivating resilient, inclusive community spaces
• Accomplishments
• Professionally I have been working in a position of advocacy across Canada for many years, breaking down and removing barriers, opening respectful communication to ensure policies speak to the intent and purpose
• I possess a comprehensive grasp of the operations and requirements necessary for orchestrating the strategic development of a Housing Strategy that promotes an increase in the provision of safe, affordable, and suitable housing for a diverse population including youths transitioning from foster care, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2++ individuals, seniors, low-income families, and those with disabilities or medical needs
• I prioritize understanding the full spectrum of housing necessities across the continuum, focusing on identifying and addressing gaps, obstacles, or requirements that individuals point out as essential to achieving and maintaining successful and enduring housing
• It is evident that the provision of housing alone is insufficient for the prosperity of individuals and families; rather, it is the integration with and access to comprehensive support services that is crucial to facilitate smooth movement across the housing spectrum
• As the Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations, I've had the privilege of spearheading the creation of an unprecedented National Urban, Rural, and Northern Housing organization
• This groundbreaking initiative involved a complete overhaul of the housing continuum, integrating comprehensive services and support to address the acute and unaddressed needs of Indigenous populations throughout Canada
• In June 2023, we announced the allocation of $281.5 million, which will be deployed by the end of fiscal year 2025
• With the support of a compact but dedicated team—consisting of a communication consultant, an interim CEO, and myself—we managed to develop an application process and a platform for distributing and receiving proposals
• Through our rigorous efforts, we identified housing needs totaling over $2.2 billion across the country
• While the demand exceeds current capabilities, our team was successful in delineating the potential number of housing units to be constructed, along with the associated services and their geographical distribution
• As a member of the Justice Committee for the Pasqua First Nation within my home community, I have the distinct honor of participating in the development of bylaws that profoundly influence the safety and well-being of our residents
• This role entails carefully reviewing the cases of individuals aspiring to rejoin the First Nation upon completing their incarceration, along with the details of their parole and probation stipulations
• Our process involves a meticulous examination of each applicant's file, personal interviews, and consultations with their families, leveraging this information to adjudicate on their potential reintegration
• Decisions on whether to permit or deny their return—and under which specific conditions and expectations—are made with careful consideration of various factors
• These include the nature of the crime, the impact on victims, the concerns of their families, and the broader implications for the community at large
• To promote a successful reentry and to lessen the likelihood of recidivism or probation violations, we take a holistic approach by mandating participation in support groups and counseling sessions, work-readiness programs, and engagement with cultural ceremonies
• These conditions aim to furnish returning individuals with comprehensive resources critical for their rehabilitation and lasting success within the community
• Over the past several months, my collaboration with the Ministry of Justice has been extensive, encompassing engagements with the Court of King's Bench in Saskatchewan, the Interpersonal Violence Ministry, and the office of the Crown Prosecutors
• Throughout this period, our focus has been on examining pertinent legislation that impacts Indigenous individuals, single mothers, and Indigenous families
• We are meticulously evaluating the family court application procedures and the processes involved in Judicial Justice Conferences.

• PROFILE Enable constructive dialogue and collaboration between Indigenous communities and governmental bodies for the mutual advancement of each group. Identifying and advocating for the implementation of a viable solution to address: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Section 7 “right to life, liberty and security of the person and not to be deprived of these rights except in accordance with “fundamental justice” Section 15 “equality rights” – non-discrimination because of gender [sex] and race [Indigenous]. United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Article 21 1. Indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. 2. States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities. Article 23 Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. Indigenous peoples have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other economic and social programs affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer such programs through their own institutions.