The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) was established in 1995 to provide expert technical advisory services to the First Nations in Ontario. At the time, OFNTSC was the first Indigenous organization in Canada mandated to provide professional technical and advisory services to First Nations communities and foster technical self-reliance.
We also aim to create future capacity in First Nations by encouraging youth to pursue careers in science and technology. Our yearly Student Achievement Awards play a large part in achieving this goal. In 2020, we will be announcing three memorial awards and two student achievement awards for First Nations youth. In addition to this, OFNTSC attends career fairs to promote careers within tribal councils and First Nations.
Mandate
The OFNTSC was established in February 1995 and mandated by Ontario First Nations Chiefs-In-Assembly to provide advisory level technical services to Ontario’s Tribal Councils, Large First Nations, and Unaffiliated First Nations in the areas of:
- Capital Project Planning and Development
- Quality Assurance
- Training
- Operations and Maintenance
- Fire Protection
- Architectural Support Services
- Housing Inspections
- Housing Program
Our underlying objectives are to foster greater First Nation autonomy in the acquisition of capital facilities and infrastructure development. We also promote the development of modern community health and safety practices.
Strategic Plan
In October 2018, we produced our new 2018 – 2023 Strategic Plan, which refined and reassessed our goals to frame them in a way that would produce a roadmap to help us get there. Below we’ve provided our updated Vision and Mission statements, along with the four main pillars of our current strategy for improving technical self-sufficiency for First Nations in Ontario.
2023-2028 Vision Statement
We envision a future where Ontario First Nations are self-sufficient and sustainable, with the capacity to
deliver self-reliant technical services for future generations.
2023-2028 Mission Statement
Our mission is to accept the transfer of certain technical services from federal agencies such as the
Department of Indian Affairs and the Department of Public Works (or their successors) on behalf of First
Nations in Ontario, to provide core technical services to Tribal Councils and First Nations in Ontario, to assist
existing technical service units at the First Nation and Tribal Council level, and to accept the transfer from the
governments of Ontario and Canada of programs related to the technical service areas.
2018-2023 Strategic Plan
*2023-2028 update coming April 2023.* The OFNTSC will continue to fulfill their mandate and accomplish the newly updated organizational vision and mission through the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan focused on improving Organizational Sustainability, Mandated Core Services, Client Focus, and Community Development.
These priorities will serve as the foundation for the following Strategic Initiatives that form OFNTSC’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan:
- Organizational Review and Restructuring to Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
- Supporting Clients with Community Development by Becoming a Total Solution Provider
- Ensure Consistent Delivery of Mandated Core Services to Improve First Nations Standard of Living
- Improve Client Focus and Satisfaction