Nisg̱a'a Village Seeks Control Over Housing Funds Amid $14M Dispute with Central Government

A village government within the Nisga'a Nation is calling for reforms to how housing funding is distributed after alleging that millions of dollars meant for local housing projects have not been released.

Leaders from the Gitlax̱t'aamiks Village Government say approximately $14 million in federal housing funding remains outstanding from a larger funding package provided to the nation’s central government.

Gitlax̱t'aamiks — formerly known as New Aiyansh — is one of four Nisg̱a'a communities in the Nass Valley in northwestern British Columbia. The others include Lax̱g̱alts'ap, Ging̱olx and Gitwinksihlkw.

Funding dispute emerges

The issue dates back to March 2022, when the Nisga'a Lisims Government received approximately $83 million in housing funding from the Canadian government.

The funds were intended to support housing development across the four village governments.

According to correspondence cited by Gitlax̱t'aamiks officials, the village was originally expected to receive about $25 million. So far, roughly $11 million has been distributed, leaving about $14 million still outstanding, the village government says.

Chief councillor Calvin Morven said the dispute is not only about the money but about how funding decisions are made.

“Our goal for the issue is to address fairness, respect and the ability to take care of our people,” Morven said.

He said the village is also seeking greater autonomy to decide how housing funds are used locally.

“When this funding came down, it stopped at the central government,” Morven said. “Changes were made without consulting the four villages, and that’s where the dispute began.”

The central government declined to comment directly on the matter, saying it does not discuss internal Nisg̱a'a governance issues.

Housing shortages across the nation

The dispute comes as housing shortages remain a serious challenge within the Nisg̱a'a Nation.

A 2025 housing needs report found that affordable housing on Nisg̱a'a lands is limited, with demand particularly high among elders, young families and residents with disabilities or complex health needs.

Village housing staff reported long waitlists for homes, and researchers noted that some citizens may not even apply due to discouragement or stigma.

Residents call for change

At a town hall meeting held Feb. 25 in Gitlax̱t'aamiks, residents expressed frustration about the delays and the centralized structure of decision-making.

Some community members said they worry villages lack sufficient authority to manage their own housing needs.

“Centralization didn’t work back then, and I don’t think it’s going to work today either,” resident Currie Gosnell said during the meeting.

Councillor Noah Guno emphasized that the dispute is ultimately about governance and fairness.

“This isn’t about the money,” Guno said. “This is about the ability to provide for our citizens and ensuring that every Nisg̱a'a community has autonomy.”

Possible next steps

Officials with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada said the dispute is an internal matter between the village government and the Nisg̱a'a Lisims Government.

Under the Nisg̱a'a treaty framework, the central government administers federal funding that flows to the nation through fiscal financing agreements supporting services such as housing, education and infrastructure.

Morven said the village government is now considering requesting a federal financial audit and consulting legal counsel about possible options if the dispute cannot be resolved internally.

However, he said the goal remains to reach a cooperative solution.

“We are hoping we don’t have to take legal action and let the court decide,” Morven said. “We want to come together and resolve the issue.”