Sue Ellis, Finance Supervisor, Akisqnuk First Nation. Why did you sign up to take the Certificate in First Nation Taxation Administration Program? The role of tax administrator fell into my lap after our Sr. Finance Officer left. I didn’t know what I was doing the first year and am so thankful for all the help that I received from Nicole Casimel at TAS, Marie Potvin and Tracey Simon at FNTC. I could NOT have done it without these ladies’ help. COMPLETE STORY

The Certificate in First Nation Tax Administration provides the knowledge and skills needed to design and operate a taxation system using the powers outlined in the First Nation Fiscal Management Act. It examines how First Nation government tax policies can be used to promote economic development and finance and build infrastructure. The program pays particular attention to communicating tax policies and laws to Chief and Council and taxpayers. Other skills developed in the program are establishing legal framework, managing the COMPLETE STORY

Annamarie (Morin) Demchuk, class of 2018 valedictorian, Enoch Cree Nation tax administrator, is a member of the Enoch Cree Nation located just outside the city of Edmonton, AB.  She has a strong background in education and business and holds an MBA. Anna strongly believes in lifelong learning, having recently graduated from the Tulo Centre with a Certificate in First Nation Tax Administration. She was named class valedictorian by her fellow cohort members and was proud to walk hand-in-hand with her COMPLETE STORY

Recently Clearing the Path had the opportunity to meet with Ernest Jack, surveyor of taxes for Westbank First Nation (WFN) to discuss how property tax revenues are helping the First Nation achieve community visions. Westbank First Nation has a long taxation history under a local government services model used by many municipalities. Adapting this local government services model into a hybrid model proved a wise decision and WFN is now able to direct tax dollars to services and infrastructure that COMPLETE STORY

Delyla Daniels is a member of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) nation, sits as president of the Kamloopa Powwow Society, a member of the Sk’elep School Parents Advisory Council and works as leasing agent for band corporations. Delyla is currently taking a Certificate in First Nation Tax Administration (CFNTA), which is helping her with best practices, in-depth knowledge, and practical training. Recently Clearing the Path had the opportunity to sit down with Delyla to learn more about her experience as COMPLETE STORY

This past year, the ?Akisq’nuk First Nation (AFN), located in the Columbia Valley near Invermere, became the first First Nation in Canada to implement a service tax under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. ?Akisq’nuk is part of the Ktunaxa nation and is home to 300 members in the Columbia Valley, near Columbia Lake. The First Nation was one of the first to enter the FMA with laws developed in 2008. The new service tax will cover the cost of COMPLETE STORY