Squamish Nation members demand financial report after manager removed

Some members of B.C.'s First Nation are calling for greater fiscal transparencyin thewake of revelations that a band councillor has been removed from her management positionfollowing an independent financial audit.

In May, the SquamishNation launched an investigation into how money earmarked for emergency use was being spent.

Last week, afterreviewing the investigator's report, the SquamishNation Chiefs and Councilannounced council co-chairKrisandra Jacobs wouldno longer be employed by the bandas manager ofcommunications and band services.

In a notice to band members recently postedon its website, Squamish Nation said its Chiefs and Council are now also reviewing the electedpositions held byJacobs and Glen Newman, the band manager.

"Chiefs and Council have sent a letter to each of the elected officials advising them of thepossible outcomes that Chiefs and Council are considering respecting their elected positionsand are offering to meet with each elected official separately to consider any additionalinformation they may wish to provide,"the notice stated.

Jacobs hasbeen a band councillor and manager of communications since 1997. Newman hasserved on council for over 20 years.

The notice says theSquamish Nation will reach its decision regarding their elected roles by Oct. 18and release a summary of the facts to band members the followingday.

The investigator's report into the disbursement of the band's emergency fundsis being keptconfidential, according to the notice, for privacy and legal reasons.

Band members call for transparency

A small group of concerned Squamish band members took to the band office Tuesdayafternoon, demanding a copy of the investigation report.They said they were denied.

Squamish band member Bev Brown said the report should be made public, and charges laid, iftheres been abuse of trust.

"Any democratic community would be privy to that information. If it was the provincial orfederal government, it would be provided,"said Brown.

"I feel like we are in the dark in termsof finances, period. We know where the federal funds come from because they provide itonline and give it to you. With the own-source revenues, we're not even apprised of whatcompanies we own and operate."

Own-source revenueisincome from First Nation-owned projects and real estateholdings.

Squamish band member Jo-Ann Nahanee says the lack of details is fuelling rumours about bandfinances.

"We have little information about who asked for the independent investigation orwhy it was asked for,"said Nahanee. "We have a right to that information."

Hazel Desharnais of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) said thematter is internal to the Squamish Nation, and the department did not call for the third-partyinvestigation.

"Our government expects First Nation band councils to use taxpayer dollarsresponsibly and for the benefit of all community members, which is why we brought in the FirstNations Financial Transparency Act,"Desharnais said via email.

As called for by that Act, the Squamish Nation posted its financial statements and a scheduleof remuneration for chiefs and councillors this summer.

The projected 2014 operating budgetfor Squamish Nation was just under $60 million. The federal transfer to the band for 2013 fromAANDC was $11.25 million.

Jacobs'salary as manager of communications and band services was $99,841 for 12 months, with expenses of $15,029.Newman earned $72,898 as band manager and had expenses totalling $27,327.

Neither Jacobs nor officials from the Squamish Nation responded to CBCs requests for aninterview.

TheSquamishNation has a registered population of over 4,000 members, about half of whichlive on reserve.Its traditional territory spans areas across downtown Vancouver, the North Shore,theSquamisharea and Whistler.