NEWS-22020-09-15T10:03:03-07:00
  • FNTC: NEWS

Songhees Wellness Centre: a Community’s Dream Come True

A shining example of how First Nations are learning to prosper with tax jurisdiction.

Thirty years ago the Wellness Centre was a community dream, eight years ago a Songhees Committee started the process of making the dream a reality, and on January 22, 2014, the Songhees Nation celebrated the grand opening of their long-awaited Centre.  The Songhees Nation, located on southeastern Vancouver Island near the City of Victoria, had first conceived of building a gym to house after-school and evening activities for the youth.

In 2005 the Songhees Nation and the Government of Canada settled the Rail Spur Claim, and the Songhees Council was able to set aside funds to begin the process of planning for their gym.
At that time, a community committee was formed to research and plan the facility. The committee and the Council collected the ideas with the guideline “if we could have anything we want, what would it look like?”

Songhees has a limited land base and its government was operating out of a number of different buildings. The community wanted a facility where all of the programs and services could be housed in one location. They wanted a gathering place for all community members, from children to elders, as well as the ability to offer sports training, job training and arts and culture programs.
The Community came together and was very proud of the resulting plan. It included all of the aspects they felt the community required to thrive.

Songhees applied for government funding for the facility, and received only $1m out of the $24m required to build. Songhees began to think out of the box and, not wanting to diminish the community’s vision, came up with a strategy to fund the building on their own. Songhees implemented the First Nations Goods and Services Tax (FNGST) and entered into a revenue sharing agreement with Canada. That revenue stream, along with a lease agreement, was enough to securitize a long-term loan.

During this process, Songhees was working with the First Nations Tax Commission on implementing the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA). In 2008, Songhees became the first First Nation in Canada to pass taxation and assessment laws under the FMA (they initially began collecting property tax under the Indian Act in 1995). Songhees is certified by the First Nations Financial Management Board, is a borrowing member of the First Nations Finance Authority as has passed a Financial Administration Law.

The Songhees Nation and its Wellness Centre is a shining example of how First Nations are learning to prosper outside of the Indian Act and government funding. Songhees credits the success to community involvement and support from the First Nation fiscal institutions.

Songhees invites those interested in learning more about the Centre and how they completed this project to contact them: https://www.songheesnation.ca/

1 January, 2014|

Loon River First Nation: Vital Service Delivery to Community and Taxpayers

When contemplating the implementation of property tax jurisdiction, First Nations think about how the community may benefit from the program. Loon River First Nation’s experience represents an example of how the community and taxpayers have both supported and benefited from the additional community services made available through their property tax program. First Nations across the country are looking to see how other First Nation governments are applying their jurisdiction. Loon River First Nation is a leader in this regard.

Loon River First Nation (LRFN) is located 170km north of Slave Lake, Alberta. LRFN is part of Treaty 8 and has a total land base of 21,096.3 hectares spread over three settlements: Loon Lake 235, Little Prairie 237 and Swampy Lake 236. LRFN offers a full range of services to its 540 members including Administration, Economic Development, Daycare, Consultation, Finance, Human Resources, Membership, Education K-12, Emergency Management, Housing, Health, Social Services and Public Works.

Northern Alberta, where LRFN is located, has significant oilfield and gas production, related process facilities and pipelines. A large part of the LRFN tax base is made up of these properties held by various industry companies. The driving force behind wanting to implement property taxation, which LRFN did in 2007, was the need for a reliable water source and associated infrastructure. The tax dollars assisted in delivering this much needed service.

In 2010, a house fire on the reserve demonstrated the unfortunate inadequacies of fire protection services available to LRFN at that time. The home was burnt down and a family required emergency shelter. LRFN Council took immediate steps to look into how they could update their fire protection services and decided to implement this important and life-saving service through property taxation. As part of their financial planning, with assistance from the First Nations Tax Commission, LRFN proposed an additional tax levy for a five-year term to help finance the necessary equipment.

Taxpayers were advised of the dire need and were asked to support the initiative and the additional levy on their tax bill. There was immense support from taxpayers, industry and the community. The taxpayers, who benefitted from the new services, agreed and shouldered the additional costs without any objections to support the First Nation.  LRFN Council was proactive and addressed the safety concerns for a safer community. With the additional funding, LRFN built a fire hall, purchased one fire truck and trained seven fire fighters.

In the Spring of 2011, the hot and dry weather sparked devastating forest fires that swept throughout northern Alberta. All available resources were pulled together and organized by the local municipal authorities in an effort to combat the worst fire emergency in decades. Homes in the community were endangered and all oilfield facilities in the outlying areas were at high risk. The Loon River First Nation fire pumper truck was part of the flotillas of equipment that battled the fires.

Due to the financial planning and subsequent emergency preparedness planning from the previous year, the community and by extension the taxpayers, were protected from the wild fires. The new fire protection services contained and prevented the spread of the fire to community and industry assets. Since the fires in 2011, LRFN has increased trained firefighters to twelve and has added more equipment including a sewer truck, a grader, skid-steer, garbage truck and a backhoe.

The experience with the fire and LRFN response has strengthened the relationship and trust between Loon River and its taxpayers. The taxpayers are happy with the level the service and are open to improvements in service deliveries.  In addition to the fire protection service, the community has plans for using taxation revenue to help play for installing a piped water line from a reliable source. This important water source will open the door for future developments such as a new recreation centre, a skate park, a ball diamond, expansion of the fire hall and an additional fire truck. Visit the Loon River First Nation website for more information: www.loonriver.net 

1 January, 2014|

FNTAA’s Vision to Promote First Nation Tax Profession

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The First Nations Tax Administrators Association (FNTAA) is holding its National Forum and Annual General Meeting at Osoyoos First Nation on Sept. 26-28, 2012. 

The association will be calling for a special resolution to amend their by-laws and constitution, which will include proposed changes to their membership rules.

One of the main proposed changes is to provide special designation to graduates of the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, which provides academic programs for First Nations tax administration and economic development through a working relationship with FNTC and the Thompson Rivers University.

As one of the first graduates of the program, FNTAA President Ernest Jack says his educational experience has inspired him and other graduates to build better networks in the wider business community. 

“Most communities don’t realize that First Nations tax administrators have a new way of looking at economic development,” says Mr. Jack on the Tulo program. 

“A tax administrator can help to develop the basic legal and administrative framework that will allow First Nations to tap into those resources to make economic growth come alive.”

He says he hopes FNTAA will also attract professionals in fields other than tax administration.

“The specialized knowledge we get from Tulo does not just apply to tax administrators but also other professionals working for First Nations as economic development officers and land managers.”

The proposed criteria for FNTAA membership includes the following:

  • Completion of Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics Certificate in First Nations Tax Administration. May be waived with two letters of reference and, until June 2013, ten years of experience in the field
  • Membership in the First Nations Tax Administrators Association
  • Minimum of five years experience in First Nations tax administration
  • Complete application form with resumé and sponsorship letter
  • Commitment to First Nation Tax Administrator Code of Ethics

For more information about the proposed changes and FNTAA, please visit their website at www.fntaa.ca.

1 October, 2012|

First Nations Take Major Steps Toward Debenture Financing

In February 2012, the FNTC approved Borrowing Agreement Laws for the Tzeachten First Nation, Songhees Nation, and Osoyoos Indian Band. 

The Borrowing Agreement Law authorizes a First Nation to enter into a borrowing member agreement with the First Nations Finance Authority, and is a prerequisite to accessing debenture financing through the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA). 

The approval of these laws follows each First Nation’s recent Financial Management Certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board. This Certification is important as it instills confidence in the First Nation financial management and reporting systems that ultimately support economic and community development. 

Over the course of the next few months, it is expected that these First Nations will begin work on their borrowing laws to finance capital infrastructure with their property tax revenue. Pooling their borrowing needs with other First Nations waiting to be certified, they will form the initial First Nation bond.

1 July, 2012|

Long-term Vision for Tzeachten First Nation’s Future Taking Shape

Now that it has progressed from the stages of property taxation to debenture financing, Tzeachten First Nation is closer to achieving its economic goals.

“It’s just the calm before the next storm, yet we’re ready to jump in and make our goals a reality,” says Ms. Sheila Schmidt, General Manager of Tzeachten First Nation, of the past three years since the First Nation joined the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) through the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC). 

“We may have new responsibilities and requirements to meet, yet we’re excited about how our plans are coming together in a tangible way,” adds Ms. Schmidt.

Located in the Upper Fraser Valley within the city of Chilliwack, Tzeachten First Nation owns its own commercial development, including the Vedder Crossing Plaza, which houses a grocery store, bank, restaurant, medical clinic and several retail stores.

Ms. Schmidt first began leading Tzeachten First Nation’s management team in 2002 and oversaw their transfer from implementing property taxation under the Indian Act to creating their own laws through the FSMA.

Having taken advantage of the services offered by each of the FSMA fiscal institutions, Tzeachten First Nation has become one of three First Nations in Canada to receive certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), which will provide them with the requirements to become borrowing members through the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). 

Ms. Schmidt says she is proud of their progress since they first started to head in this direction three years ago.

“The first trigger for us was going under the FSMA,” recalls Ms. Schmidt. “That was when we realized that not only would we improve our jurisdiction and regulations through FNTC, we would improve our financial practices through the FMB certification process, and that would take us to another level of sophistication, which would ultimately result in this end benefit: debenture financing through the FNFA.”

It’s a natural next step for the First Nation, which has already experienced the benefits of First Nations property taxation. With a membership of 500 members, half of whom live on-reserve, Tzeachten First Nation has already witnessed significant economic growth, resulting in an exponential increase in administrative staff. 

To address the shortage of office space, Ms. Schmidt oversaw the expansion of their administrative building, a $430,000 construction project, the type of initiative that could have been financed through FNFA debenture financing.

Not slowing down anytime soon, two shovel-ready projects are ready to proceed to construction. The groundwork for a seven-unit townhouse complex has been laid out, which will provide housing for Tzeachten membership. This will be the third residential development for membership. In addition, there are approximately 1,500 non-member residents residing in seven on-reserve residential developments that form part of their taxation folio. 

Their other project is the construction of a multi-purpose building to be used for public sporting events and private community gatherings. Aside from the construction costs of the 3,500 sq.ft. building, they are budgeting for extra costs including: infrastructure services, storm water drainage systems, paved parking and lighting, a $1.3-million project they plan on financing with FNFA debenture funds. 

Ms. Schmidt says that building the legal and administrative framework has been critical in their success.

“All the pieces of the puzzle have been coming together,” she says. “FNTC has been great — they have sample laws, which have been a valuable resource for us because it meant we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

Now that they are a borrowing member of FNFA, Ms. Schmidt hopes to take advantage of the new revenue options, which will address their outstanding debt.

“Between our two loan payments, we’re paying about $10,000 a month in debt servicing because of aggressive repayment terms with our current lender. But if we refinance under the FNFA, we will save approximately $5,500 a month in debt servicing alone, and the same amount we’re paying right now to finance $1-million could actually leverage about $3-million.”

Having experienced first-hand the benefits of First Nation property taxation, Ms. Schmidt says she’s eager to share the successes of Tzeachten First Nation with other First Nations who may be considering joining the FSMA.

“The support we’ve received has been phenomenal — I would tell people to pick up the phone and call FNTC, or go to their website and look at the resource material there,”  encourages Ms. Schmidt. “And even though it may seem overwhelming, I’d tell them you won’t have to work through it yourself – you’ll find support from the FNTC staff and plenty of us willing to share our own experiences.”

1 July, 2012|

Press Release: Commission Recognizes New Brunswick Chiefs

The First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC) honoured a number of Chiefs from New Brunswick First Nations at a ceremony during its quarterly meeting held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The meeting marked the start of the FNTC’s second year of operations.

Mr. C.T. (Manny) Jules, Chief Commissioner of the FNTC, praised the Chiefs for their leadership. “The Chiefs of New Brunswick, through the Atlantic Policy Congress, have demonstrated unwavering support for the work of the Commission and the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB). In particular, their resolutions of support for the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) provided us with the momentum necessary to ensure all-party support in Parliament.”Those honoured included Chief Noah Augustine (Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation), who recently negotiated a sales tax agreement for his community with the government of New Brunswick, and Chief Ken Barlow from Indian Island First Nation, who recently requested that Indian Island be added to the FSMA schedule. Also recognized were Chief Jesse Simon (Elsipogtog First Nation), Chief Everett Martin (Eel River Bar First Nation), Chief Paul Tomah (Kingsclear First Nation) and Chief proxy Alan Polchis, Jr. (St. Mary’s First Nation).

The event focused on facilitating private investment on First Nation lands. Keynote speaker, Mr. Ron Derrickson, former Chief of the Westbank First Nation in British Columbia, shared his experiences as Chief, as a land developer and as a successful international entrepreneur. Mr. Derrickson recognized the importance of leadership and challenged First Nation Chiefs to set out a clear economic vision and work with their councils to make decisions that will build investment friendly First Nation economies. He noted the role played by Chief Commissioner Jules in helping to build First Nation economies and reduce dependency.

The Chief Commissioner also recognized the contribution made by Deputy Chief Commissioner, David Paul. Mr. Paul’s efforts were instrumental in earning the support of Atlantic First Nations and federal government officials for the FSMA. Mr. Paul has also maintained a positive working relationship with the provincial government officials of the Atlantic Provinces.Honourable T.J. Burke, Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs and Attorney General of New Brunswick, Honourable Victor Boudreau, Minister of Finance, and Deputy Minister of the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, Mr. Patrick Francis were also in attendance at the dinner ceremony.

Another highlight of the Commission meeting was a presentation made by Mr. Todd Hoskin of the Ulnooweg Development Group Inc. The organization recently completed an Atlantic First Nation Market Demand Study. The report studied innovative approaches for financing First Nation community infrastructure and other developments. The findings and study recommendations were accepted by the APC in January 2008.

9 July, 2008|
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  • CLEARING THE PATH: NEWS & SUCCESS STORIES

Songhees Wellness Centre: a Community’s Dream Come True

A shining example of how First Nations are learning to prosper with tax jurisdiction.

Thirty years ago the Wellness Centre was a community dream, eight years ago a Songhees Committee started the process of making the dream a reality, and on January 22, 2014, the Songhees Nation celebrated the grand opening of their long-awaited Centre.  The Songhees Nation, located on southeastern Vancouver Island near the City of Victoria, had first conceived of building a gym to house after-school and evening activities for the youth.

In 2005 the Songhees Nation and the Government of Canada settled the Rail Spur Claim, and the Songhees Council was able to set aside funds to begin the process of planning for their gym.
At that time, a community committee was formed to research and plan the facility. The committee and the Council collected the ideas with the guideline “if we could have anything we want, what would it look like?”

Songhees has a limited land base and its government was operating out of a number of different buildings. The community wanted a facility where all of the programs and services could be housed in one location. They wanted a gathering place for all community members, from children to elders, as well as the ability to offer sports training, job training and arts and culture programs.
The Community came together and was very proud of the resulting plan. It included all of the aspects they felt the community required to thrive.

Songhees applied for government funding for the facility, and received only $1m out of the $24m required to build. Songhees began to think out of the box and, not wanting to diminish the community’s vision, came up with a strategy to fund the building on their own. Songhees implemented the First Nations Goods and Services Tax (FNGST) and entered into a revenue sharing agreement with Canada. That revenue stream, along with a lease agreement, was enough to securitize a long-term loan.

During this process, Songhees was working with the First Nations Tax Commission on implementing the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA). In 2008, Songhees became the first First Nation in Canada to pass taxation and assessment laws under the FMA (they initially began collecting property tax under the Indian Act in 1995). Songhees is certified by the First Nations Financial Management Board, is a borrowing member of the First Nations Finance Authority as has passed a Financial Administration Law.

The Songhees Nation and its Wellness Centre is a shining example of how First Nations are learning to prosper outside of the Indian Act and government funding. Songhees credits the success to community involvement and support from the First Nation fiscal institutions.

Songhees invites those interested in learning more about the Centre and how they completed this project to contact them: https://www.songheesnation.ca/

1 January, 2014|

Loon River First Nation: Vital Service Delivery to Community and Taxpayers

When contemplating the implementation of property tax jurisdiction, First Nations think about how the community may benefit from the program. Loon River First Nation’s experience represents an example of how the community and taxpayers have both supported and benefited from the additional community services made available through their property tax program. First Nations across the country are looking to see how other First Nation governments are applying their jurisdiction. Loon River First Nation is a leader in this regard.

Loon River First Nation (LRFN) is located 170km north of Slave Lake, Alberta. LRFN is part of Treaty 8 and has a total land base of 21,096.3 hectares spread over three settlements: Loon Lake 235, Little Prairie 237 and Swampy Lake 236. LRFN offers a full range of services to its 540 members including Administration, Economic Development, Daycare, Consultation, Finance, Human Resources, Membership, Education K-12, Emergency Management, Housing, Health, Social Services and Public Works.

Northern Alberta, where LRFN is located, has significant oilfield and gas production, related process facilities and pipelines. A large part of the LRFN tax base is made up of these properties held by various industry companies. The driving force behind wanting to implement property taxation, which LRFN did in 2007, was the need for a reliable water source and associated infrastructure. The tax dollars assisted in delivering this much needed service.

In 2010, a house fire on the reserve demonstrated the unfortunate inadequacies of fire protection services available to LRFN at that time. The home was burnt down and a family required emergency shelter. LRFN Council took immediate steps to look into how they could update their fire protection services and decided to implement this important and life-saving service through property taxation. As part of their financial planning, with assistance from the First Nations Tax Commission, LRFN proposed an additional tax levy for a five-year term to help finance the necessary equipment.

Taxpayers were advised of the dire need and were asked to support the initiative and the additional levy on their tax bill. There was immense support from taxpayers, industry and the community. The taxpayers, who benefitted from the new services, agreed and shouldered the additional costs without any objections to support the First Nation.  LRFN Council was proactive and addressed the safety concerns for a safer community. With the additional funding, LRFN built a fire hall, purchased one fire truck and trained seven fire fighters.

In the Spring of 2011, the hot and dry weather sparked devastating forest fires that swept throughout northern Alberta. All available resources were pulled together and organized by the local municipal authorities in an effort to combat the worst fire emergency in decades. Homes in the community were endangered and all oilfield facilities in the outlying areas were at high risk. The Loon River First Nation fire pumper truck was part of the flotillas of equipment that battled the fires.

Due to the financial planning and subsequent emergency preparedness planning from the previous year, the community and by extension the taxpayers, were protected from the wild fires. The new fire protection services contained and prevented the spread of the fire to community and industry assets. Since the fires in 2011, LRFN has increased trained firefighters to twelve and has added more equipment including a sewer truck, a grader, skid-steer, garbage truck and a backhoe.

The experience with the fire and LRFN response has strengthened the relationship and trust between Loon River and its taxpayers. The taxpayers are happy with the level the service and are open to improvements in service deliveries.  In addition to the fire protection service, the community has plans for using taxation revenue to help play for installing a piped water line from a reliable source. This important water source will open the door for future developments such as a new recreation centre, a skate park, a ball diamond, expansion of the fire hall and an additional fire truck. Visit the Loon River First Nation website for more information: www.loonriver.net 

1 January, 2014|

FNTAA’s Vision to Promote First Nation Tax Profession

<![CDATA[

The First Nations Tax Administrators Association (FNTAA) is holding its National Forum and Annual General Meeting at Osoyoos First Nation on Sept. 26-28, 2012. 

The association will be calling for a special resolution to amend their by-laws and constitution, which will include proposed changes to their membership rules.

One of the main proposed changes is to provide special designation to graduates of the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, which provides academic programs for First Nations tax administration and economic development through a working relationship with FNTC and the Thompson Rivers University.

As one of the first graduates of the program, FNTAA President Ernest Jack says his educational experience has inspired him and other graduates to build better networks in the wider business community. 

“Most communities don’t realize that First Nations tax administrators have a new way of looking at economic development,” says Mr. Jack on the Tulo program. 

“A tax administrator can help to develop the basic legal and administrative framework that will allow First Nations to tap into those resources to make economic growth come alive.”

He says he hopes FNTAA will also attract professionals in fields other than tax administration.

“The specialized knowledge we get from Tulo does not just apply to tax administrators but also other professionals working for First Nations as economic development officers and land managers.”

The proposed criteria for FNTAA membership includes the following:

  • Completion of Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics Certificate in First Nations Tax Administration. May be waived with two letters of reference and, until June 2013, ten years of experience in the field
  • Membership in the First Nations Tax Administrators Association
  • Minimum of five years experience in First Nations tax administration
  • Complete application form with resumé and sponsorship letter
  • Commitment to First Nation Tax Administrator Code of Ethics

For more information about the proposed changes and FNTAA, please visit their website at www.fntaa.ca.

1 October, 2012|

First Nations Take Major Steps Toward Debenture Financing

In February 2012, the FNTC approved Borrowing Agreement Laws for the Tzeachten First Nation, Songhees Nation, and Osoyoos Indian Band. 

The Borrowing Agreement Law authorizes a First Nation to enter into a borrowing member agreement with the First Nations Finance Authority, and is a prerequisite to accessing debenture financing through the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA). 

The approval of these laws follows each First Nation’s recent Financial Management Certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board. This Certification is important as it instills confidence in the First Nation financial management and reporting systems that ultimately support economic and community development. 

Over the course of the next few months, it is expected that these First Nations will begin work on their borrowing laws to finance capital infrastructure with their property tax revenue. Pooling their borrowing needs with other First Nations waiting to be certified, they will form the initial First Nation bond.

1 July, 2012|

Long-term Vision for Tzeachten First Nation’s Future Taking Shape

Now that it has progressed from the stages of property taxation to debenture financing, Tzeachten First Nation is closer to achieving its economic goals.

“It’s just the calm before the next storm, yet we’re ready to jump in and make our goals a reality,” says Ms. Sheila Schmidt, General Manager of Tzeachten First Nation, of the past three years since the First Nation joined the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) through the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC). 

“We may have new responsibilities and requirements to meet, yet we’re excited about how our plans are coming together in a tangible way,” adds Ms. Schmidt.

Located in the Upper Fraser Valley within the city of Chilliwack, Tzeachten First Nation owns its own commercial development, including the Vedder Crossing Plaza, which houses a grocery store, bank, restaurant, medical clinic and several retail stores.

Ms. Schmidt first began leading Tzeachten First Nation’s management team in 2002 and oversaw their transfer from implementing property taxation under the Indian Act to creating their own laws through the FSMA.

Having taken advantage of the services offered by each of the FSMA fiscal institutions, Tzeachten First Nation has become one of three First Nations in Canada to receive certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), which will provide them with the requirements to become borrowing members through the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). 

Ms. Schmidt says she is proud of their progress since they first started to head in this direction three years ago.

“The first trigger for us was going under the FSMA,” recalls Ms. Schmidt. “That was when we realized that not only would we improve our jurisdiction and regulations through FNTC, we would improve our financial practices through the FMB certification process, and that would take us to another level of sophistication, which would ultimately result in this end benefit: debenture financing through the FNFA.”

It’s a natural next step for the First Nation, which has already experienced the benefits of First Nations property taxation. With a membership of 500 members, half of whom live on-reserve, Tzeachten First Nation has already witnessed significant economic growth, resulting in an exponential increase in administrative staff. 

To address the shortage of office space, Ms. Schmidt oversaw the expansion of their administrative building, a $430,000 construction project, the type of initiative that could have been financed through FNFA debenture financing.

Not slowing down anytime soon, two shovel-ready projects are ready to proceed to construction. The groundwork for a seven-unit townhouse complex has been laid out, which will provide housing for Tzeachten membership. This will be the third residential development for membership. In addition, there are approximately 1,500 non-member residents residing in seven on-reserve residential developments that form part of their taxation folio. 

Their other project is the construction of a multi-purpose building to be used for public sporting events and private community gatherings. Aside from the construction costs of the 3,500 sq.ft. building, they are budgeting for extra costs including: infrastructure services, storm water drainage systems, paved parking and lighting, a $1.3-million project they plan on financing with FNFA debenture funds. 

Ms. Schmidt says that building the legal and administrative framework has been critical in their success.

“All the pieces of the puzzle have been coming together,” she says. “FNTC has been great — they have sample laws, which have been a valuable resource for us because it meant we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

Now that they are a borrowing member of FNFA, Ms. Schmidt hopes to take advantage of the new revenue options, which will address their outstanding debt.

“Between our two loan payments, we’re paying about $10,000 a month in debt servicing because of aggressive repayment terms with our current lender. But if we refinance under the FNFA, we will save approximately $5,500 a month in debt servicing alone, and the same amount we’re paying right now to finance $1-million could actually leverage about $3-million.”

Having experienced first-hand the benefits of First Nation property taxation, Ms. Schmidt says she’s eager to share the successes of Tzeachten First Nation with other First Nations who may be considering joining the FSMA.

“The support we’ve received has been phenomenal — I would tell people to pick up the phone and call FNTC, or go to their website and look at the resource material there,”  encourages Ms. Schmidt. “And even though it may seem overwhelming, I’d tell them you won’t have to work through it yourself – you’ll find support from the FNTC staff and plenty of us willing to share our own experiences.”

1 July, 2012|

Press Release: Commission Recognizes New Brunswick Chiefs

The First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC) honoured a number of Chiefs from New Brunswick First Nations at a ceremony during its quarterly meeting held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The meeting marked the start of the FNTC’s second year of operations.

Mr. C.T. (Manny) Jules, Chief Commissioner of the FNTC, praised the Chiefs for their leadership. “The Chiefs of New Brunswick, through the Atlantic Policy Congress, have demonstrated unwavering support for the work of the Commission and the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB). In particular, their resolutions of support for the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) provided us with the momentum necessary to ensure all-party support in Parliament.”Those honoured included Chief Noah Augustine (Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation), who recently negotiated a sales tax agreement for his community with the government of New Brunswick, and Chief Ken Barlow from Indian Island First Nation, who recently requested that Indian Island be added to the FSMA schedule. Also recognized were Chief Jesse Simon (Elsipogtog First Nation), Chief Everett Martin (Eel River Bar First Nation), Chief Paul Tomah (Kingsclear First Nation) and Chief proxy Alan Polchis, Jr. (St. Mary’s First Nation).

The event focused on facilitating private investment on First Nation lands. Keynote speaker, Mr. Ron Derrickson, former Chief of the Westbank First Nation in British Columbia, shared his experiences as Chief, as a land developer and as a successful international entrepreneur. Mr. Derrickson recognized the importance of leadership and challenged First Nation Chiefs to set out a clear economic vision and work with their councils to make decisions that will build investment friendly First Nation economies. He noted the role played by Chief Commissioner Jules in helping to build First Nation economies and reduce dependency.

The Chief Commissioner also recognized the contribution made by Deputy Chief Commissioner, David Paul. Mr. Paul’s efforts were instrumental in earning the support of Atlantic First Nations and federal government officials for the FSMA. Mr. Paul has also maintained a positive working relationship with the provincial government officials of the Atlantic Provinces.Honourable T.J. Burke, Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs and Attorney General of New Brunswick, Honourable Victor Boudreau, Minister of Finance, and Deputy Minister of the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, Mr. Patrick Francis were also in attendance at the dinner ceremony.

Another highlight of the Commission meeting was a presentation made by Mr. Todd Hoskin of the Ulnooweg Development Group Inc. The organization recently completed an Atlantic First Nation Market Demand Study. The report studied innovative approaches for financing First Nation community infrastructure and other developments. The findings and study recommendations were accepted by the APC in January 2008.

9 July, 2008|
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