P.O. Box 124
Mine Centre, Ontario
Ph 807-599-2224 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 807-599-2224 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax 807-599-2865
Documents for Download
Several documents have been posted on the site and we plan on adding more in the weeks to come. we have so far have posted a copy of the Auditors MANAGEMENT LETTER in regards to the Audit period ending MARCH 2008. The audit for period ending March 2009 will be postet shortly.
The following are the documents available for you to view and of course we would love to hear from you if you should have any questions.
- The FIRST NATIONS Financial Audits including last years
- OFNLP (Casino Rama) Statement of account
- Personnel Policy of the First Nation
- Post Secondary Education Policy
Boozhoo
We would first like to start off by thanking everyone for their patience and understanding while we found our bearings before we updated this section of the “rez on the net”
As most are aware, Elections for the Seine River First Nation Chief and Council were held January 23, 2008 and this council officially assumed duties February 11, 2008 (right near the end of fiscal year!!) It has been a very busy year for us as we had learn the First Nations affairs as quickly and efficiently as possible so that we can better serve our community.
We have posted a few items which are always of interest to our members and do hope everyone has the chance to peruse them. Just a few notes on the posted items;
Re: Audit. This is the audit ending March 2008. It took us a while to organize as we just “got in”. The numbers may be daunting but rest assured we have put a few practices in place to ensure the numbers do not grow too much
· Band Support; we have attempted to remove all activities (powwows, dances, etc.)from this section which can be financed in alternate ways i.e. other programs, fundraising, etc.
· The development of a revised Personnel Policy has curbed a lot of unnecessary activity during work hours. We utilize a sign in system to better track our employee’s and make sure the members are getting the services they need when they need them
· Amounts due from band members; an automatic 10% is deducted from all employee wages, contracts, education maintenance, and training (where applicable) for those who receive any kind of dollars through the band.
· Chief and Council travel amounts have been reduced. The Chief was allotted a new budget of 10, 000 and council was brought down to 4,000 for the year.
RE: ONFLP (Rama Dollars)
This term Chief and Council began the year with $85,309.00 in the account. As you can see the amount has grown significantly larger. The ONFLP funds received by First Nations are to be spent in 5 core areas (Community Development, Health, Education, Economic Development and Cultural Development). More info can be found at www.ofnlp.org. After an initial investment of $37,000 into the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp, we thought it was best to let the dollars sit in the account and collect interest until members can come to a consensus on how best to utilize it.
(The Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp. Is a corporation developed by Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa Zhing Advisory Services to get “a piece of the action” from area businesses? Our investment was matched by Shooniiyaa Wa Biitong bringing our total investment to $74,000. The mandate of the RLTDC is “to bring wealth to the communities” by way of investing. There are currently 6 First Nations from our tribal area which are invested in 3 businesses now and are looking at 3 potential. The main idea is to invest and see a dividend at the end of the year (a portion of money made by businesses is given to the First Nation)
The 3 businesses we currently invest;
1.Gardewine/Northern Cartage: a trucking company which has gained rights to the hauling of bio-mass fuel for the newly erected Abitibi-Bowater Bio-mass broiler in Fort Frances.
2.We own an 11% share in the Landmark Inn located in Thunder Bay (stay there and it profits us!)
3.We own half of a general contracting business, Rainy Lake Tribal Resources. The good thing with this partner-ship is that in addition to a dividend at year’s end, we are able to utilize the services offered at a discount. (I.e. Equipment rental, tenders, contracting services including gravel, housing, sewer, etc.)
We are currently exploring investments in an insurance company, plumbing, heating &mechanical and finally a manufacturing opportunity.
I hope this was enough information to give you an understanding of where we are finance wise and we appreciate all members (on and off) who take an interest in the First Nations affairs
LAST COUNCIL UPDATE
INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS
Chief Earl Klyne
John Kabatay
Norman Girard
Dave Spencer
Carrie Boshkaykin
Tyrone Tenniscoe
Tom Johnson
COUNCIL UPDATES
Roger Spencer