SONGHEESSONGHEES NATION NATION 20162014 Annual Annual Report Report CONTENTS GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2016 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Songhees Nation of the Lekwungen People is a Coast Salish Nation on Southern Vancouver Island, BC. Songhees Nation, and its neighbour Esquimalt Nation descend fromseven Lekwungen family groupings; Kakyaakan, Teechamitsa, Whyomilth, Kosampson, Swengwhung, Chilcowitch and Chekonien. Lekwungen traditional territories rangefrom Cordova Bay west towards Mt. Finlayson to Royal Roads and along the shoreline to Albert Head. There are currently 561 registered Songhees Nation Members, 337 of whom reside on New Songhees Indian Reserve #1A, a 148 acre reserve adjacent to the Township of Esquimalt and Town of View Royal. 3 Seniemten, Elder Elmer George Honorary Degree From Royal Roads University Royal Roads University bestowed an Honorary Degree on Seniemten in recognition of his many years of contribution to Camosun College, the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University to advise and participate in support for Indigenous students, Indigenous education and language revitalization activities. As one of the few remaining fluent speakers of Lekwungen, he stewards the survival not only of the language, but also the traditional teachings and the culture embedded in the words. Royal Roads University acknowledged Elmer as a residential school survivor. Born in Victoria on his family’s traditional lands, he was removed from his home as a child and sent to Christie Indian Residential School in Kakawis, Tofino. Seniemten ran away from the boarding school at age 16. He holds an elected role as Head Provincial Elder and a lifetime role as traveling missionary for the Indian Shaker Church, a faith community blending Indigenous and Christian traditions. He performs ceremonies including weddings, funerals and baptisms in British Columbia and Washington He worked as a boom man and in a shake mill in the logging industry and handled backhoe operation, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work among other roles as the Songhees Band’s maintenance man for 35 years. He built and designed the Songhees Big House with former Songhees Chief John Albany and with others, rebuilt the Indian Shaker Church in Brentwood Bay. He rebuilds racing canoes with his son, among many activities that benefit the community. 4 SONGHEES NATION MEMBERSHIP LONGHOUSE FINANCE & AUDIT MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE CHIEF & COUNCIL SONGHEES CHIEF AND COUNCIL SERVE THE MEMBERSHIP AS LEADERS, VISIONARIES, AMBASSADORS AND ADVOCATES Community Engagement Exerting Songhees Aboriginal Rights and Treaty Rights Protecting and Exerting Songhees Jurisdiction over Land and Resources Lawmaking and Policy Development Intergovernmental Affairs Regional and National First Nation Leadership Advisory and Governance Boards Songhees Chief and Council submitted a Band Council Resolution to be scheduled to the First Nations Elections Act. In June 2017, eligible Songhees voters will elect a Chief and five Councilors for a four year term of office. Council Meeting Number of Attendance in 2016 Present meetings* Chief Ron Sam 24 24 Councillor Garry Albany 19 19 Councillor Jackie Albany 22 22 Councillor Frank George Sr 21 22 Councillor Karen Tunkara 22 22 Councillor John Rice Jr 22 23 *The number of meetings is adjusted for excused absences such as work, illness and nation business. 5 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Finance Senior Accountant Songhees Centre ∞ Bookkeeper Chef/Kitchen Manger ∞ Accounts Receivable/Tax Clerk ∞ Event Coordinator ∞ Cooks and Servers ∞ Set up and Take Down Crew ∞ Parking Attendants Administration ∞ AV Technician Administrative Assistant ∞ Security Worker Office Manager/Treaty & Registry Clerk Marketing/Tourism IT Manager ∞ Receptionist/Registry Clerk Backup ∞ Tour Guides ∞ Gift Shop Clerk DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS & SERVICES DIRECTOR OF IRECTOR OF EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF HEALTH D OCAL SERVICES & SOCIAL SERVICES L Early Childhood Educ. Ctr. Manager Social Development Coordinator Public Works Manager ∞ Infant Toddler Caregiver Community Support Worker ∞ Building Services Technician ∞ Early Childhood Educator Recreation Coordinator ∞ Public Works Labourers School Liaison Personal Care Attendant Bylaw/Emergency Services Officer Student Facilitators Homemakers ∞ Security Workers Kwum Kwum Lelum Coordinator Employment Training Coordinator ∞ Employment Training Assistant We strive to provide programs and services which are meaningful, appropriate and contribute to the Wellness of the Songhees Community The Songhees Nation Financial Administration Law, the first such law passed in Canada under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act ensures sound financial management and safeguarding of the Nations assets. Songhees Nation’s financial performance has been certified by the First Nations Financial Management Board enabling Songhees to become a borrowing member of the First Nations Finance Authority. Songhees programs and services operate under funding agreements. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is the primary funding agency. Songhees Nation has funding agreements with the First Nations Health Authority, Intertribal Health Authority and the Coast Salish Employment and Training Society. These agreements include provisions which govern eligibility for services, eligible expenditures, limits on funding levels and requirements for reporting. Grant funding has also been received from United Way and the Victoria Foundation. 6 7 LOCAL SERVICES Lands Management Songhees Nation exercises jurisdiction over disposition and use of Songhees Reserve Lands under the authority of the First Nations Lands Management Act and the Songhees Land Code. The Nation receives and registers, leases, subleases and land transfers in the First Nations Land Registry. In 2106, there were several leases requiring rent reviews and lease renewals. Housing Improved Housing is identified as a priority for the Nation. Songhees is working with the First Nation Market Housing Fund to build capacity and improve the housing program. There are 90 Member residences on New Songhees IR 1A including 37 homes owned by Songhees Nation under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Program and rented to Songhees members. Seven Members have completed their CMHC mortgages and own their homes fully. Public Works and Capital Works Structural remediation was completed for the Longhouse in 2016. Maplebank cleanup was a major project for the summer of 2016 to address fire safety and removal of trespassers on Songhees Nation land adjacent to the Longhouse. Property Taxation Under the provisions of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. The Nation has the authority to collect property tax from taxable interests on Songhees Reserve Lands. There are 662 taxable interests including 653 Residential units, 5 Utilities and 6 Businesses. Annual local revenue from Property Taxation generates more than one million dollars for the provision of services such as fire protection, sewer and water and comprehensive services from the Capital Regional District. Emergency Preparedness Planning The Bylaw Office coordinates Emergency Response Preparedness, and liaisons with emergency services including the View Royal Fire Department and the RCMP Aboriginal Policing Branch. Songhees Wellness hosted an event for the Regional Emergency Management Partnership. The nation is represented on the steering committee and has begun to coordinate with other First Nations on the South Island. T'Sou-ke Chief Gordon Planes expressed the sentiment, we are family and we help one another. 8 HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES Community Health and Wellness Programs Our Programs offer a safe and welcoming environment, encouraging participation in programs to improve the wellbeing of the Songhees Community. Wellness programs include primary health clinics, pre and post natal care, vaccination clinics, injury prevention training, oral health and chronic disease prevention and management such as diabetes clinics, foot care and diabetic shoe program. Songhees offers Nurse Practitioner services , homemaking and personal care, counselling, family support, family cooking classes and Parents Group. Family wellness events included community meals, mothers and fathers day bbqs, Elders Dinners and Cultural Nights sharing arts and crafts and food preservation skills. Community events include Halloween and Christmas Parties and family outings such as movie night and bowling. This year we hosted an Island Elders Luncheon for 250 Elders from Vancouver Island Communities. 9 EDUCATION SERVICES Early Childhood Education Centre Songhees Preschool offers a safe and supportive environment for children to begin their educational journey. The curriculum in the preschool is designed to prepare children for entry into public school as well as grounding them with community and family support for their education. Kindergarten to Grade 12 Under Songhees Nation’s Local Education Agreement, INAC funding provides public and private school tuition payments to the school districts and private schools. INAC education funding provides financial support for books, school supplies, student allowance, student fees, bus passes and graduation allowance. The Greater Victoria School District provides funding to employ a Student Liaison and Student Facilitators at Craigflower Elementary, Shoreline Middle School and Esquimalt High. Student Facilitators offer tutoring and mentoring to students. Kwum Kwum Lelum The afterschool homework club provides assistance