PO Box 188 * Merritt, BC * V1K 1B8 * tel (250) 378-4235 * fax (250) 378-9119 September 2016 Inside this Nicola Tribal Issue: NTA Strategic Planning 2 Session Association Executive Director 3-4 Report Tmixw Research 5 Newsletter Report NWSFA Report 6
Finance Department 7
September 2016 Community Flyers 8-9
AGM Poster 10
Nicola Tribal Association AGM Catering Bid 11
Basket Info Enquiry 12 MISSION STATEMENT
Working in Unity to improve the Quality Deadline for NTA of Life of our People newsletter submission is While Promoting our Language the 20th day of every Culture and Protecting our month
Ancestral Rights
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SERVICES IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION HELD ON MARCH 14, 15, & 16TH 2016
1. Gathering Place
We provide a gathering place in Merritt, the largest community closest to the majority of our members. We will work with our communities to see how we can better support them and their families. At this time, we provide a number of core services that we provide to members on a walk-in basis, including but not limited to: A place to rest after or during shopping in town; Free telephone use; Free internet use; Free photocopying service; and
Meeting and other facilities for ceremonies. 2. One Voice
NTA, by mandate, is the single voice for all communities as well, the concept of One Voice has to do with the power and strength in numbers channeled through the single entity NTA. One Voice includes lan- guage and culture, centralized communications, and community supported decisions for referrals and environmental interests. These are areas that relate to specific services, most notably fisheries, or to matters where business is conducted within Merritt and where a unified First Nations voice (and ap- proach) is needed. We are continually looking to enhance the conversations where we can demonstrate value, and have identified the following services as those that fall into this category: Protection and stewardship, especially our work on fisheries and land surveys; Centralized communications, including seeking to work with our communities to help them with engagement in their own communities; Centralized engagement where it is expected or required, especially in Merritt and the surrounds and on regional, provincial and national committees as needed through our work; and Acting as a language hub so that the languages spoken within the seven NTA communities can be pre- served and grown.
3. Shared Services
We provide a series of valued services to all our member communities that are better performed as one organization rather than seven, either in terms of reducing cost or creating greater effectiveness, using the voice of seven instead of one. Some of these services are provided because of our history, others be- cause we have identified the need. We will continue to work with our communities so that we can con- stantly offer a NTA-based valued solutions.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT Aug 31 2016 ?éx k? n? Way’ isk?ist
AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM AGM OCTOBER 20, 2016 AT THE CIVIC CENTRE WATCH FOR FURTHER DETAILS MARK YOU CALENDARS – COME AND PROVIDE YOUR INPUT
New Relationships Trust – Following direction from motions from last year’s AGM.
We have set up meetings in your communities throughout September to provide information and to gather feedback from your communities as per information in our August newsletter. Watch for the meeting notices and be a part of the future of focusing on 21st century governance development for our communities. BE A PART OF THE CHANGE.
Our membership has directed NTA by motion to move forward with the Governance to Government process and although this is a limited amount of funding it is a beginning to moving towards meeting the direction from membership. We will continue to look for the funding to move this forward.
Merritt Civic Centre –Sept 27th 30 People Cook’s Ferry Hall –Sept 29th -30 People Coldwater C & C mtg – Sept 14 – 6pm Upper Nicola C&C Mtg – Sept 6- 6pm Shackan C&C mtg Aug. 23- 11am Nooaitch C&C mtg Sept 8 POSTPONED Nicomen C&C mtg waiting to hear back Cook’s Ferry C&C mtg – Aug 31-? POSTPONED Siska C&C mtg –Sept 22(At Quaaout Lodge)
Human Resource Policy Manual
Our Human Resources Policy Manual has gone through the final stages of approval and we should have it on our website in template form before the end of November, 2016.
Audit We have completed our 2015 – 2016 audit and it has been approved effective July 27, 2016 and will also be on our website. We have received our Financial Statement Review letter from INAC and have received a favorable review with no claw backs and all reports accepted with none out standing.
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Executive Director Report continued:
We attended Lower Nicola’s open house as well as Upper Nicola’s AGM. We had two display tables set up at the Upper Nicola AGM with information. We also had a slide show presentation along with our financial statement information for Band Members to review.
Finance Policy Review We have begun the review of our new finance policy with the Board of Directors. Received a lot of feed- back and will be making the changes requested. This review will be ongoing for a month or two yet be- fore we can put on our website.
River Monitoring We did monitor the river during Rockin River and were surprised at how little garbage came down the river. Thank you to those who were responsible festival attendees for keeping this down.
Summer is over and school is back in. Usually summers slow down for most of us, however at Nicola Tribal it seems the pace is always full on.
We will continue to work hard protecting our lands and water and look forward to seeing all of you at our AGM OCTOBER 20 2016. Come and provide your input. We need your valued opinions.
GOOD LUCK TO OUR STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
SEE YOU ALL AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Arlene Johnston, CAFM CAPA Executive Director
NTA
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S
Lee Spahan – Coldwater Indian Band David Walkem – Cook’s Ferry Band Ursula Drynock – Nicomen Band Marcel Shackelly – Nooaitch Band Lennard Joe – President – Shackan Band Fred Sampson – Vice President – Siska Band Harvey McLeod – Secretary / Treasurer – Upper Nicola Band
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Tmixw Research Report:
Tmixw Report-September 2016
Timxw has had a very busy work schedule this season with three full time employees and eight seasonal Field Technicians. We also have three Aboriginal Skills Employment and Training Strategy (A.S.E.T.S.) students. Some are on an eight week program and some on a twenty-six week program. We appreciate working with these employees who not only receive hands on learning but also fill some of the gaps on work we would otherwise not be able to complete.
Our summer program is filled with archaeology studies, monitoring programs and performing PFR’s. The extreme weather has the forestry companies in full swing working to complete the reviews of their areas of interest.
TECK/Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) have started work with Preliminary Field Reconnaissance in early July. We are waiting for permits to be approved in order to begin archaeology digs. Hopefully this work will begin in September and will continue until weather shuts it down.
We are also working with Stantec and doing archaeology impact assessments for Trans Mountain Environmental Pipeline.
Our field work for the season is coming to an end leaving the office portion of completing the reports and final invoices.
We have had an interesting, productive and fulfilling summer season.
Culturally modified tree (CMT) identified within block NM1181 of Tolko Indus- tries. This CMT was 1 of 15 identified within the block in the Lindley Creek area
Potential cultural de- pression located within Mill Creek. The de- pression was about 0.5 meters deep and was situated on a flat bench above a stream
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NWSFA REPORT:
September 6, 2016, NWSFA Update by Tracy Wimbush, Program Manager
Good day People, well, we all know the obvious, there was no sockeye this year, the worst returns in the last 100 years. We are still open for chinook fishing by rod and reel or dipnet until September 16th, 2016.
Jessica and Neil have done really well coordinating and implementing the habitat work for this season and we did a number of sites: 1. Upper Nicola Band: Spahomin Cr. Water Intake site, 2. Upper Nicola Band: Spahomin Cr. Rodeo Grounds site 3. Lower Nicola Band, Nicola R., Shuter property, 4. Lower Nicola Band, Nicola R., Joe property, 5. Chutter Ranch,
Now we are doing the orientation for the stock assessment part of our season, the crew is in-house going over their job duties and learning what and how they need to gather the data required for the work. We have a crew of ten starting up and if all goes well, they will be working to the end of November or into December depending on when the river ice up occurs.
The First Nation Fisheries Council regional seat is coming up in December, I have been asked again to sit as the regional representative, but if there are others interested in this, please let me know and I can bring your name up to the NTA Board of Directors. The FNFC does reimburse for travel and there is an honorarium available for your time. As I am paid by the NTA, I don’t get the honorarium.
Early Tuesday morning, August 30th, 2016 Darren Haskell (FSMC President) affixed his signature, alongside that of Ms. Rebecca Reid (RDG, Pacific Region) to the "Framework Agreement to Guide the Negotiations for Managing Fraser River Salmon."
"It's exciting to get to this point and to take the next big step to getting into the real negotiations," Dar- ren said. "It's a good day to be excited."
With Darren's signature, work on FSMC's Preparing to Negotiate timeline is now complete. The FSMC Negotiation Team will meet in the upcoming weeks as it starts to make its way to the table.
The Framework is named Nesika Oakut: “Our Own Way” in the Chinook language. It goes into effect on September 6, 2016.
FSMC is a Tier 1 (First Nations only) governance by which First Nations will enter into negotiations with DFO.
The goal: to secure a role for First Nations in management decision-making processes over Fraser salm- on.
To learn more about FSMC: FSMC Community Reports: http://frafs.ca/FSMC_Documents Historical overview: http://frafs.ca/FSMC
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Finance Department:
Top Ten Reasons to Have a Will Having a will is arguably one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Not only can a will legally protect your spouse, children, and assets, it can also spell out exactly how you would like things handled after you have passed on. While each person’s situation varies, here are the top ten reasons to have a will.
1) You decide how your estate will be distributed. A will is a legally-binding document that lets you determine how you would like your estate to be handled upon your death. If you die without a will, there is no guarantee that your intended desires will be carried out. Having a will helps minimize any family fights about your estate that may arise, and also determines the ?who, what, and when? of your estate.
2) You decide who will take care of your minor children. A will allows you to make an informed decision about who should take care of your minor children. Absent a will, the court will take it upon itself to choose among family members or a state-appointed guardian. Having a will allows you to appoint the person you want to raise your chil- dren or, better, make sure it is not someone you do not want to raise your children.
3) To avoid a lengthy probate process. Contrary y to common belief, all estates must go through the probate process, with or without a will. Having a will, however, speeds up the probate process and informs ms the court how you'd like your estate divided. Probate courts serve the purpose of ?administering your estate?, and when you die without a will (known as dying ?intestate?), the court will decide how to divide estate without your input, which can also cause long, unnecessary y delays.
4) Minimize estate taxes. Another reason to have a will is because it allows you to minimize your estate taxes. The value of what you give away to family members or charity will reduce the value of your estate when its time to pay estate taxes.
5) You decide who will wind up the affairs of your estate. Executors make sure all your affairs are in order, including paying off bills, canceling your credit cards, and notifying the bank and other business establishments. Because executors play the biggest role in the administration of your estate, you'll want to be sure to appoint someone who is honest, trustworthy, and organized (which may or may not always be a family member).
6) You can disinherit individuals who would otherwise stand to inherit. Most people do not realize they can disinherit it individuals out of their will. Yes, you may wish to disinherit individuals who may otherwise inherit your estate if you die without a will. Because wills specifically outline how you would like your estate distributed, absent a will your estate may end up on the wrong hands or in the hands of someone you did not intend (such as an ex-spouse with whom you had a bitter divorce).
7) Make gifts and donations. The ability to make gifts is a good reason to have a will because it allows your legacy to live on and reflect your personal values and interests. In addition, gifts up to $13,000 are excluded from estate tax, so you're also increasing the value of your estate for your heirs and beneficiaries to enjoy.
8) Avoid greater legal challenges. If you die without a will, part or all of your estate may pass to someone you did not intend. For example, one case involved the estate of a deceased son who was awarded over $1 million from a wrongful death lawsuit. When the son died, the sons father ? who had not been a part of his son’s life for over 32 years ? stood to inherit it the entire estate, leaving close relatives and siblings out of the picture!
9) Because you can change your mind if your life circumstances change. A good reason for having a will is that you can change it at any time while you're still alive. Life changes, such as births, deaths, and divorce, can create situ- ations where changing your will are necessary.
10) Because tomorrow is not promised. Procrastination and the unwillingness to accept death as part of life are com- mon reasons for not having a will. Sometimes the realization that wills are necessary comes too late ? such as when an unexpected death or disability occurs. To avoid the added stress on families during an already emotional time, it may be wise to meet with an estate planning lawyer to help you draw up basic estate plan at the mini- mum, before its too late. For Further information please contact your band office.
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Nicola Tribal Association AGM
October 20, 2016 Merritt Civic Centre 9am-4pm Lunch and nutrition breaks will be provided OPEN TO ALL MEMBERSHIP For more information call the NTA Office at 250-378-4235 or email Coldwater Indian Band [email protected]
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band
Nicomen Indian Band
Nooaitch Indian Band
Shackan Indian Band
Siska Indian Band
Upper Nicola Indian Band
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NICOLA TRIBAL ASSOCIATION CALL FOR BIDS
CALL FOR CATERING BID
AGM Lunch: October 20, 2016
We are seeking the following:
October 20, 2016 lunch for 150 to be served at noon
Please confirm with your Bid: a) Cost estimates for a guaranteed 120 (be prepared to serve 150) Including plates, utensils, napkins, cups, condiments-salt, pepper, salad dressing etc; b) Beverages should be available starting at 10:00 am – 4 pm; c) Meal to be served at 12:00 pm exactly; d) Food Safe Certificate amongst your crew; e) Ability to serve meal within a limited time (provisions of 2 – 4 lines passing through buffet tables); f) 50% of bid could be advanced to successful bid to assist with preparation; g) Menu items must include food / dessert items for diabetics; h) Lowest bid may / may not be considered; i) Expected requirements are: to have a crew to be able to clean up tables during and after the meal. j) The caterer must supply their own equipment k) NTA will provide the Kitchen
Your bid should include your contact person(s) with phone number(s).
Deadline for bids is 4 pm October 05, 2016 at the Nicola Tribal Association office. NTA is not responsible for lost or stolen items
For more information, do not hesitate to call the Nicola Tribal Association @ (250) 378-4235 Notice – Call for Bids
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Enquiring if any one knows anything about this basket? Who? Or Where this basket may have come from. If you have any information about this basket please feel free to contact the NTA office and give us any information you may have.
NTA is looking for an on-call receptionist. Please feel free to contact Liz at the NTA Office at 250-378-4235, or email you resumes to administra- [email protected]
SERVICES Advertise in the NTA Newsletter Children’s Help Line (250) 310-1234 Contact the NTA office for more information : Scw’exmx Child and (250) 378-4235 Family Services Society (250) 378-2771 Deadline for submissions is the last day of each month. Scw’exmx Community Please send all submissions to: Health Services Society (250) 378-9745 [email protected] Conayt Friendship Society Fax: (250) 378-9119 (250) 250-378-5107 Journey Into Tomorrow If you would like to have your newsletter emailed to you, Transition House Send your email address to: (250) 378-6170 ASETS [email protected] (250) 378-0126 You can now view our newsletter of the NTA website Nicola Tribal Association (250) 378-4235 nicolatribal.com
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