Eric Fleury, BCom, MBA, CPA, CMA & Nelson Derickson, BBA. Sustainable Economic and Cultural Development October , AFOA Conference, Vancouver

Transcription

1 Eric Fleury, BCom, MBA, CPA, CMA & Nelson Derickson, BBA Sustainable Economic and Cultural Development October , AFOA Conference, Vancouver

2 Nelson Derickson, BBA Corporate Administrator, Chair of EDC Brian Conner, CPA, CMA, CAFM Director of Finance Brief Intros Pat Fosbery, BBA CAO/Director of Operations Eric Fleury, BCom, MBA, CPA, CMA Budget & Financial Reporting Manager Tom Konek, BBA, BScEcon Councillor

3 Outline A. WFN Overview B. Legend of the Four Food Chiefs structure 1. Chief Black Bear (skəmxist) Government Broad powers; defined responsibilities Intergovernmental relations Working towards fiscal independence 2. Chief Saskatoon Berry (siyaʔ) Community Culture, history, language: defining WFN s path into the future 3. Chief Bitterroot (sp iƛ əm) Land Clear laws and development processes Property Tax administration and results 4. Chief Spring Salmon (ntityix) Economy Partnerships on and off reserve WFN Economic Development Commission Ntityix Development Corporation and other companies C. Questions (10 mins) 3

4 Video: Community. Leadership. Pride. (6 mins) YouTube or WFN website

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8 Chief Roxanne Lindley 8

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11 BUDGET DEPARTMENTAL WORK-PLANS 5 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN 3 YEAR CORPORATE STRATEGIC PLAN ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION, VISION & VALUES COMMUNITY CONSULTATION & VISIONING (COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN)

12 Legend of the Four Food Chiefs Framework to structure departments, budgets, committees o skəmxist Chief Black Bear represents societal values including Governance, leadership, and laws o siyaʔ - Chief Saskatoon Berry represents community including culture, education, health o sp'iƛ əm Chief Bitterroot represents the land, resources, home, area planning o ntityix Chief Spring Salmon represents economic issues, business, and corporate

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14 Chief Black Bear (skəmxist) Government

15 Self Government Act: 2005 The WFN Constitution provides principles, and processes in support of good governance, transparency, and accountability, to support the Self Government Act. WFN is formally recognized as a bona fide government, and a person under the law (ability to contract). Relationship with Canada is now Government to Government (bilateral): o Closer to Provincial status than a Municipality o Not tri-lateral (including the province), as are some other Self-Governing First Nations Jurisdictions assigned to WFN by Canada include: o Governance o Lands management o Culture o Finance o Education o Health o Development and planning

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17 Chief Saskatoon Berry (siyaʔ) Community

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19 Public Art 19

20 Annual Community Events: Siya, Across the Lake Swim, Warriors Night & Westside Daze 20

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22 Supporting WFN Elders 22

23 Chief Bitterroot (sp iƛ əm) Land

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25 Community Partners 25

26 Lands Management, Basis of Prosperity Unlike many First Nations across Canada, Westbank Lands are not governed under the Indian Act but under the First Nation Lands Management Act. WFN has full jurisdictional control over Westbank Lands. o Most other reserve land management in Canada is located in the Ottawa registry - not a legally enforceable title. Lands are managed under a legally enforceable Land registration system managed by WFN.

27 How WFN s land system supports development Locatees (WFN member landholders) have the right to lease their title to off reserve persons or corporations. Lessees (developers) purchase 99 year leases from a locatee, or WFN (community lands). There is a legally binding land registry, equivalent to the Torrens system. Lease is usually entirely prepaid. The developer then in turn builds subdivisions, or commercial developments. The title to a home will include a portion of the head lease as a sublease.

28 Property Taxes on WFN Lands 1. Prior to 1990, property taxation was imposed on leased (designated) reserve lands by BC under Rural property taxation. 2. Bill C115 in 1988 modified the Indian Act to allow property taxation on designated reserve lands. In 1990 BC agreed to vacate this authority in favour of WFN. 3. Westbank First Nation has administered and collected property tax over its lands since The Advisory Council Law states: o o Those having an interest in WFN Lands shall have input into proposed Westbank Laws that significantly affect them. 5 members from 5 districts are elected to represent non-member taxpayers in matters related to Local Government. Their acceptance of items is important to staff, Council and the First Nation Tax Commission.

29 Property Assessment 1. Lease interests and improvements on the land are assessed by BC assessment under contract. 2. Assessments are based on valuations at July 1. (Same as BC Municipal and Rural system). 3. Values of properties on reserve must be assessed at the value of equivalent properties off reserve. 4. Assessment notices mailed to property holders on January Assessments may be appealed by January The WFN Board of Review adjudicates any claims that are not dropped or settled administratively.

30 WFN Property Assessments by year and class Interesting Facts WFN is ranked 58th in BC in terms of total assessed property values (out of 162 municipalities) WFN collects $14M in property taxes annually. Millions = Billions First Nations in Canada collect $85M in total, WFN accounts for 17% of this.

31 Property Tax 2017 Revenue Share by Property Class

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33 WFN IR 10

34 IR 12 - Gallagher s Canyon

35 Chief Spring Salmon (ntityix) Economy

36 Economic Development First aboriginal EDC in Canada Serves WFN business community Monitors economic indicators Provides advice to Chief and Council Works with neighbouring jurisdictions GW Board of Trade, Chambers, COEDC

37 Economic Development Chief Black Bear: advisory role to Council Chief Spring Salmon: business retention Chief Bitterroot: business facilitation Chief Saskatoon Berry: business attraction

38 Economic Development Commission (EDC) Advisory Council AGM Apr 17 38

39 Ntityix Development Corp Community owned companies Land development, partnerships Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre Snyatan Shopping Centre Portion of profits to Heritage Fund ntityix.com

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41 Ntityix Resources LP Land based area tenures 85K m 3 Annual Cut Cultural and archeological values Enhanced wildlife and water reserves ntityixresources.com

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43 Wibco Construction Ltd. Residential division Commercial/institutional division WFN Community Core constructed Member employment and contracting wibco.ca

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45 Conclusion Through perseverance and hard work, the systems set the foundation for success. Economic development enables WFN to promote the community and its culture. WFN is progressive, open to new ideas and sharing our knowledge.

46 limləmt Thank you!