Perseverance pays off
Tzeachten First Nation in British Columbia had difficulty funding needed projects. After taking steps to improve their financial practices, the community is flourishing.
The challenge
It had been difficult for the Tzeachten First Nation—a community of 500 members in Chilliwack, BC - to fund infrastructure projects. For example, when the community’s sports field experienced flooding concerns, they needed to finance storm water drainage work to address the problem. The Nation also wanted to build a small townhome complex for its members.
The action
Tzeachten invited the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB) to support them in developing and enacting its Financial Administration Law (FAL). The Nation also wanted to achieve Financial Management System certification.
Sheila Schmidt, Tzeachten’s former General Manager, and the Chief and Council worked closely with the FMB team for about five years.
“We had a goal in mind, and that's to get us to a certain standard in our financial practices, as well as tap into those funds,” says Schmidt. “It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to the process.
“You have to always keep what the end result is going to be in your sights. There can be times where it gets frustrating, and the task seems monumental, but we just kept working at it step-by-step.”
The process of working with the FMB allowed the community to focus resources on the education and training of its members, many of whom are employed within the community.
“We’re all so very, very proud, because we did persevere, this is progression. It's what all First Nations need.”— Former General Manager, Sheila Schmidt
The outcome
Tzeachten gained its Financial Performance Certificate in 2011, and Financial Management System Certificate in 2017.
As well as recognizing the efforts of the Nation’s Chief and Council and staff to put in place good governance and finance practices, the certificates allowed the Nation to borrow from the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). This allowed the construction of a multi-purpose community building, expansion to the existing community centre, construction of a 7-unit townhouse development, complete refurbishing of a dilapidated duplex, installation of water and sewer mains, construction of a community septic system to service mulitiple homes, purchase of land for future membership housing, and debt refinancing.
“Never in my lifetime did I think there would come a time that Tzeachten would have access to affordable financing to enable us to complete mulitiple capital projects all at one time and on our terms and to be able to utilize those funds for transactions such as land acquisitions” - Former Chief Glenda Campbell.