Finance Report 2016-2017

CONTENTS

Message from the Director of Finance...... 04

Finance Department

Function...... 05

Objectives...... 06

Meet our Team...... 07

Finance Information...... 15

MFNERC Financial Statements...... 16

Independent Auditors’ Report...... 17

Statement of Financial Position...... 18

Statement of Operations...... 19

Statement of Changes in Net Assets...... 20

Statement of Cash Flows...... 21

Notes to the Financial Statements...... 22

Schedule 1 - Schedule of Revenue and Expenses - Administration...... 29

Schedule 2 - Schedule of Revenue and Expenses - Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation Ginew School...... 30 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

On behalf of MFNERC’s Board of Directors, we welcome opinion on the March 31, 2017 MFNERC Financial you to preview our 2016-17 Financial Audit. Together we Statements, which represents the highest standard for a value education. A positive educational process is our first financial audit. priority. We are constantly looking for ways to work more efficiently, at the same time ensuring a quality education MFNERC received $6,106,595 from INAC under New Paths for Students in . Program as well as $3,870,655 for Special Education and $1,444,035 for other proposal driven education This Audit report reflects Manitoba First Nations programs. INAC also provided $1,363,993 for Education Education Resource Centre’s (MFNERC) on-going Partnerships Program and $20,203,165 for the First Nation commitment to improving both its performance and its Student Success Program and $2,782,977 for Roseau financial and fiscal accountability. River Anishinabe First Nation Ginew School. In total INAC provided $35,711,420 to MFNERC which represented 97% MNP LLP Chartered Accountants conducted the audit of overall funding. of the MFNERC’s Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. Total revenue was $36,982,320 Overall, Finance ensured that all requirements of a and total expenses were $36,610,090. We are pleased to project’s Contribution Agreement were being compiled report positive operating results for MFNERC for fiscal year with authorized expenditures as well as ensured that the 2016-2017. MFNERC’s success in 2016-2017 demonstrated deliverables were being adhered to. the strength and importance of sound management execution and the value of financial discipline. George Merasty B.Comm (Hons.), CA, CPA, CAFM Director of Finance The management letter from MNP LLP, MFNERC’s auditing firm, made no significant suggestions for operational or procedural changes and they issued an “unqualified”

04 | Finance Report 2016-2017 FINANCE DEPARTMENT - FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES

FUNCTION Finance manages the implementation of the financial plans and policies of MFNERC. The financial strategic objectives of MFNERC is to manage the funds it has been entrusted with. Finance carries out this objective through cost effective management of MFNERC’s internal financial operations, efficient negotiations, monitoring of funded projects, and strategic management of the organization’s investments.

Finance is responsible for three main areas: 1. Project funding • Financial review and monitoring of all budgets for all projects administered by MFNERC 2. Organizational finances and administration • General Expense (Salaries, insurance, office supplies, training etc…) • Investments • Financial Reporting • Financial advice to the Board of Directors 3. Monitoring • Processing cheque requisitions submitted by departmental managers • Assessment of budget to actual expenditures on a monthly basis • Analysis of project performance to ensure deliverables are adhered to

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 05 FINANCE DEPARTMENT - FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVE To fulfill all financial functions and execute its responsibilities, the Finance department has identified the following objectives and strategies: FINANCE DEPARTMENT - FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Ensure the integrity, reliability and transparency of all the financial operations of MFNERC STRATEGY: To establish budgeting control and reporting systems, applied both to the internal and financial operations of all funded projects. Finance achieves the following objectives: • Assisting in the development of policies and budgets, and providing the necessary information and financial analysis required. • Control and monitor the operational budget that has been approved by the Board of Directors. • Assisting Management in discharging its responsibilities for Financial Reporting. • Implementing and maintaining the accounting system (Sage 300). • Ensuring the Reporting and Auditing procedures are carried out. • Administrating the investments on behalf of MFNERC. The Financial statements of MFNERC are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including the accounting recommendations for not-for-profit organizations in .

2. Ensuring that funding expenditures are in accordance with the terms and conditions of all Contribution Agreements. STRATEGY: To conduct a financial assessment of the progress of funded projects in conjunction with departmental managers, ensuring project expenditures are measured against project work-plans, goals and objectives.

3. To ensure the integrity and reliability of data STRATEGY: Implementing and maintaining the accounting system (Sage 300) / HRMS EXPECTED RESULTS: • Ensuring that all requirements of a project’s Contribution Agreement are being compiled with authorized expenditures. • Refining the overall project as necessary to compile with the funding agreements. • Reducing a risk of unauthorized expenditures. • Ensuring that adequate resources continue to be available for the continuation of planned projects.

06 | Finance Report 2016-2017 MEET OUR TEAM

Born and raised on the Flying Dust First Nation in northern Saskatchewan, George Merasty went on to become the Director of Finance for MFNERC as of 2007. In the past, he also served as the Director of Finance for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs from 1997 to 2007.

After graduating from the with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree with a major in Accounting, he obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 2000.

GEORGE MERASTY George has been married for 22 years to his wife, Marla, and they have two teenage B.Comm. (Hons.), CA, CPA, CAFM Director of Finance boys—Kaeden and Brenden.

Sarah Cook is the Assistant Director of Finance at MFNERC. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree with majors in Accounting and Aboriginal Business Studies. In 2011, she obtained her Chartered Accountant designation. As a chartered accountant, Sarah has worked with a variety of charitable, non-profit and First Nation organizations to meet their reporting requirements. In the past, she has served as a Staff Accountant and Audit Manager at BDO Canada LLP and as a Finance Officer at Indigenous Management Group.

Sarah is a proud member of the Misipawistik Nation. She enjoys giving back to her SARAH COOK community and has been a member of United Way ’s Council for Indigenous B.Comm. (Hons.), CA, CPA Assistant Director of Finance Relations since 2015.

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 07 MEET OUR TEAM

Curtis Carriere has worked in Finance at MFNERC since 2005, where he has occupied a variety of roles within the department—Accounts Payable, Receivable, Bank Reconciliations, and the General Ledger. He is currently working within the Manitoba First Nations School System (MFNSS).

Curtis was born in raised in Winnipeg and spent many summer and winter months in and around Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. The nearby First Nation of is where he has treaty status. He went on to graduate from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics and minor CURTIS CARRIERE in Business. Senior Finance Assistant

Donna McCorrister has been working in the Finance Department at MFNERC since September 2016. She has worked in various organizations and businesses within the over the years. She graduated from with a Business Accounting and Management Studies Certificate.

Donna originates from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation but transferred to Peguis First Nation at a young age. She and her husband Marshall have three adult children— Matthew, Brittany, and Ashton—and one 13 year old son, Presley. Family is very important to Donna, she spends most of her evenings and weekends watching her DONNA MCCORRISTER teenage son play various sports such as football in the summer, then hockey in the Accounts Receivable winter. She also enjoys playing golf with her husband.

08 | Finance Report 2016-2017 MEET OUR TEAM

Bryanna Kirkness (McKay) has been employed with MFNERC since 2002, working as an administrative secretary and in the Finance Department as Finance Assistant for the past 14 years.

Bryanna graduated from Success Business College in 2002 and received a Business Administration diploma (with honours). Born in Grandview and raised in Thompson, Manitoba, she has lived in Winnipeg since 1999 and treaty to Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve.

BRYANNA KIRKNESS Bryanna recently married her long-time partner Leonard in late 2016, and together Travel they have a blended family of four children and five grandchildren.

Before joining MFNERC, Rhonda Hardisty worked at Southeast Resource Development Council for 12 years as the financial administrator and with the Southern Chiefs Organization for two years as finance assistant and assistant manager.

Rhonda grew up in Manigotagan and is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation. She moved to Winnipeg to attend Red River College where she graduated from the Business Administration program in 1992. Rhonda is a proud grandmother to four grandchildren, two of whom she cares for as a full-time grandmother.

RHONDA HARDISTY Accounts Payable

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 09 MEET OUR TEAM

Barbara is from Churchill, Manitoba and is a member of Fox Lake Cree Nation. Barbara has worked with MFNERC since January, 2014 as a Research/Administrative Assistant for the Structural Readiness Program.

Her previous work experience has been with First Nations Organizations in the area of finance, health and social development.

Barbara has a business administration diploma from Red River College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba with a major in Native Studies and a BARBARA SPENCE minor in Womens Studies. Accounts Payable

Before becoming a Finance Assistant with MFNERC, Shannon Laforte worked in the finance department of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Shannon graduated from St. John’s High School and continued her studies at Winnipeg Technical College along with various medical and accounting courses at Red River College.

Shannon is a mother to two beautiful children—Riley and Echo. SHANNON LAFORTE Contracts Administration

10 | Finance Report 2016-2017 MEET OUR TEAM

Dianne Roulette, Ojibway is a member of the Long Plain First Nation and has worked at MFNERC for seven years in total. She has worked in the following organizations; Royal Bank of Canada, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Peace Hills Trust, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Housing Authority and also in her community of Long Plain First Nation. Dianne received a Business Administration Diploma from the University of Saskatchewan, Legal Secretarial Diploma from Robertson Career College and graduated from the Canadian College of Funeral Services as a Funeral Director/Embalmer.

DIANNE ROULETTE Dianne is a single parent and enjoys living her life to the fullest with her three wonderful Purchase Orders children; Kyra (Masters of Social Work), Quinn (High School Graduate), and Ellery (High School), and she is also a proud grandmother of her only grandchild, Paige.

Heather Sinclair has been with MFNERC, since 2004 as the Finance Assistant – Payroll. Previous to her time with MFNERC, she was the Finance Manager for the Peguis First Nations Retail Grocery Store from 1992 to 1994. Return to the City of Winnipeg to work with the Island Lake Tribal Council as the Finance Clerk form 1994-1999. She attended the Yellowquill Community College in 2002 in the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) Program graduating in June 2004.

Heather is proud mother of her daughter Erin who is attending the as a first year student. HEATHER SINCLAIR Payroll Lead Heather will be entering the MBA Program this fall and is so excited to enhance her professional career goals and future.

She enjoys golfing with her ladies league team members of Larter’s at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club for the past six years.

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 11 MEET OUR TEAM

Nichole Brisebois is currently a Finance Assistant in Payroll at MFNERC. Her passion for a career in finance led her to the Canadian Payroll Association. In 2009, she completed her Payroll Compliance Practitioner certification and has been working in the industry since.

Nichole is mother to Lucik Brisebois, her son, now five, is in his second year into his educational journey attending kindergarten.

NICHOLE BRISEBOIS Payroll

Candace Robinson was born and raised in Winnipeg and is a member of Swan Lake First Nation.

She has been working in the payroll field for 14 years receiving her designation as a Payroll Compliance Practitioner in 2015 through the Canadian Payroll Association. Candace worked at Air Canada for 18 years in finance, in accounts receivable and accounts payable and ended her career there in payroll. Before coming to MFNERC, Candace worked in a couple of different organizations in the payroll field.

CANDACE ROBINSON Apart from her certificate from the Canadian Payroll Association, she also has a Payroll diploma in business administration from Red River College, and also a designation as a Tax Preparer with H&R Block where she is continuously upgrading her tax education yearly.

Candace has three children, two adults (Dinae and Kayla) and one teenage son (Liam). When she is not working, she enjoys spending most of her time with her son and her grandson.

12 | Finance Report 2016-2017 MEET OUR TEAM

Ashley Carriere was first employed with MFNERC during the summer of 2005 in the finance department as a summer student. She graduated from Red River College with a Business Administration Diploma.

After graduation, Ashley was once again employed with the Resource Centre as an Administrative Assistant in the School Programs department. Wanting to expand her knowledge, she enrolled at the University of Winnipeg and graduated with a Human Resource Management Diploma. After graduation she came back to the Resource Centre where she is currently the Payroll and Benefits Administrator. ASHLEY CARRIERE Payroll and Benefits

Terrence Shannacappo, Ojibway, is a member of the Rolling River First Nation, and has worked at MFNERC since April of 2013. From 2000 to 2013, he was employed as a Finance Assistant with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). Prior to his employment with AMC, he has worked with various tribal councils, aboriginal organizations, federal government and private corporations.

Terrence graduated from Red River College with a Business Administration diploma. He is currently enrolled at Thompson Rivers University’s Bachelor of Commerce Distance Education Degree Program with a major in Accounting. TERRENCE SHANNACAPPO Benefits Administration Terrence’s only child Tishina graduated from UBC in 2014 and is also currently employed with MFNERC. Terrence raised his daughter as a single parent upon his wife’s death in 2001. Her mom would have been extremely proud of her academic accomplishments to date.

For extracurricular activities, Terrence enjoys going for long walks, cycling, traveling, reading, and attending tae kwon do classes.

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 13 MEET OUR TEAM

Glen Stevenson has been the Finance Assistant at MFNERC over a year. He has served as a Junior Accounting Technician for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network from 2005 to 2010. He went on to be the Financial Analyst for Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corp/Aski Financial from 2010 to 2015, and for a short stint, he was also an Accounting Assistant for Manitobah Mukluks in 2015.

Glen was born in Winnipeg but raised on the Peguis First Nation. From 1996 to 2004, he has worked in a number of trades, including housing and manufacturing within the City of Winnipeg. However, he returned to school in the fall of 2004 and received an GLEN STEVENSON accounting diploma with honours from the Anokiiwin Training Institute in 2005. Pension & GL

He has been married for five years to his wife Melissa, and together they have one son, Jacob.

Melissa Soldier has worked at MFNERC as a travel agent for the past year. She spent the previous fifteen years at Clement Travel, a First Nations owned and operated travel agency.

Melissa grew up on Swan Lake First Nation and graduated from in 1999 from the Travel Counsellor course. She is one of the first native travel agents in Manitoba.

MELISSA SOLDIER Travel Agent

14 | Finance Report 2016-2017 MFNERC FINANCE INFORMATION

MFNERC FINANCE OFFICE Swan Lake First Nation 120-200 Alpine Way Headingly, MB R4H 0B7 Phone: 1(204) 594-4267 Fax: 1(204) 831-1301

MFNERC FINANCE TEAM: • George Merasty B. Comm. (Hons.), CA, CPA, CAFM Director of Finance • Sarah Cook, B. Comm. (Hons.), CA, CPA Assistant Director of Finance • Curtis Carriere, Senior Finance Assistant • Donna McCorrister, Accounts Receivable • Bryanna McKay, Travel • Rhonda Hardisty, Accounts Payable • Barbara Spence Accounts Payable • Shannon LaForte, Contracts Administration • Dianne Roulette Purchase Orders • Heather Sinclair, Payroll Lead • Nichole Brisebois, Payroll • Candace Robinson Payroll • Ashley Carriere Payroll and Benefits • Terrence Shannacappo, Benefits Administration • Glen Stevenson, Pension & GL • Melissa Soldier, Travel Agent

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 15 MFNERC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16 | Finance Report 2016-2017 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 17 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

18 | Finance Report 2016-2017 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 19 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

20 | Finance Report 2016-2017 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 21 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

22 | Finance Report 2016-2017 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 23 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24 | Finance Report 2016-2017 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 25 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26 | Finance Report 2016-2017 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 27 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

28 | Finance Report 2016-2017 SCHEDULE 1 - SCHEDULE OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES

ADMINISTRATION

Finance Report 2016-2017 | 29 SCHEDULE 2 - SCHEDULE OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES

ROSEAU RIVER ANISHINABE FIRST NATION GINEW SCHOOL

30 | Finance Report 2016-2017

Head Office Swan Lake First Nation 120-200 Alpine Way Headingly, MB R4H 0B7 Phone: (204) 594-4267 Fax: (204) 831-1301

Winnipeg Sub-Office 2-1100 Waverley Street Winnipeg, MB R3T 3X9 Phone: (204) 594-1290 Toll Free: (866) 319-4857 Fax: (204) 942-2490

Thompson Sub-Office Lower Level - 79 Selkirk Ave Thompson, MB R8N 0M5 Phone: (204) 594-1290 Toll Free: (877) 506-1568 Fax: (204) 677-0938

Waverley Sub-Office 200-1090 Waverley Street Winnipeg, MB R3T 0P4 Phone: (204) 594-1290 Toll Free: (866) 319-4857 Fax: (204) 477-4314