Background
Niisaachewan is currently in negotiations with Canada and the Province of Ontario to settle a specific claim regarding the unauthorized flooding of Niisaachewan’s reserve land. The settlement proceeds will be put into the Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation Community Trust, which will hold and use funds for the general purpose of improving the quality of life for members of Niisaachewan and building Niisaachewan’s wealth, and on hold funds behalf of minors who have not yet attained the age of majority.
Niisaachewan needs to appoint Community Trustees to administer and make decisions regarding the Trust.
Deadline and Selection Process
Applications must be made submitted, by email to Tracey Cobiness at [email protected] no later than February 9th 2022. Council will review the applications and appoint Community Trustees to serve until the next Council election, at which time the Community Trustees may stand for election.
Job Description
Community Trustees will work closely with the Administrative Trustee, a corporation that has been hired by Niisaachewan for their expertise with trusts. Together with the Administrative Trustee, the Community Trustees will work to fulfill the terms of the deed of trust and make any decisions that are required by it. For example, one of the major decisions that Community Trustees will be responsible for making is about when to distribute trust funds in order to fut1her the purposes of the Community Trust. Generally, the purpose of the Community Trust is improving the quality of life for members of Niisaachewan and building Niisaachewan’s wealth. However, fu11hering this overall purpose will involve making difficult decisions about the specific initiatives that should be unde11aken-it is the duty of the Trustees to ultimately make these decisions.
In fulfilling their duties, Community Trustees are to be guided by the seven grandfather teachings of wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. Community Trustees have a duty and legal obligation to deal fairly and evenly with the funds held in trust and fulfill the specific terms of the deed of trust. This duty means that Community Trustees must always put the interests of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation and its members first and avoid any situation that may result in a conflict of interest.
Specifically, the Community Trustees’ duties will include:
- developing and updating policies and procedures of the Community Trust, including policies pertaining to the yearly priorities for the use of the trust funds, policies for hiring staff, retaining professional advisors, for the preparation of the annual budget, and investment of trust funds;
- attending meetings of the Trustees and voting on decisions to be made by Trustees;
- monitoring and reporting on the distributions, finances, and expenses of the Trust;
- creating and presenting a report on the activities of the Community Trust each quarter, and a detailed report, including audited financial statements, each year;
- holding and attending an annual meeting to report on the affairs of the Trust;
- annually updating members on the affairs of the Trust through a newsletter or other similar means;
- attending council meetings, as required, to report on the affairs of the Trust;
- taking part in training programs in order to become knowledgeable of the financial affairs and purpose of the Trust;
- consulting with Council and members to remain informed about the priorities for the use and maintenance of the funds held in trust;
- ensuring the most effective use of the funds held in the trust, and that the funds are kept secure and properly invested;
- and engaging and liaising with professional advisors such as a financial advisor and auditor.
Requirements
Applicants for the position of Community Trustees must:
- be members ofNiisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation;
- have financial, legal, accounting, or business education or experience or have lengthy life experience
- with the traditions and culture of the Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation; • be at least 18 years old;
- be mentally competent and capable of managing their own affairs;
- not be bankrupt or insolvent;
- not be a citizen of the United States;
- not be a member of Council or an employee of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation;
- not be an employee, director, or officer of any organization owned or controlled Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation except for positions of administrative assistance to Council or the Trust;
- not be a spouse, child, parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece or nephew of any other candidate for the position of Community Trustee during the same term;
- live a healthy lifestyle, as may be reasonably determined by Council, acting on behalf of the Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, and have no prior convictions, whether pardoned or not, for an indictable criminal offence
There will be eight Community Trustees at any given time, which will be composed as follows:
- a majority must reside on reserve while serving as a Trustee;
- at least half will be Pre-Independence Members;
- no more than half will be Post-Independence Members;
- one of must be a member of the Grievance Committee; and
- one must be the parent of a minor who is entitled to a per capita distribution.
Compensation
The Community Trustees will each receive honorariums at a rate of $500 per meeting attended.
Applications must be made submitted, by email to Tracey Cobiness at [email protected] no later than February 9th 2022.