Officials with Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation are celebrating that they no longer being co-managed by Indigenous Affairs.
“We’ve actually been in co-management for just over a decade I believe,” said Chief Roy Petit. “Now, we’re back at a point where we’re no longer as scrutinized as we would have been in the past.”
Under co-management, the financial transactions of the band and council would be overseen by an official from the federal government.
“You have to attach receipts, you have to have an explanation as to where this money went. You can’t just put a name down and pay somebody a cheque, it’s got to be documented, everything’s got to be documented,” noted Petit.
“Managing is a hard thing to do, and managing with very little is even harder, but we’re doing it, and that means that we’re on the right track.”
In a letter sent to the chief and council, Indigenous Services Canada stated, “Since August 2014, the First Nation has made the much-needed improvements, both financially and with capacity development and has been successfully approved for de-escalation from a Recipient Appointed Advisor (Co-Manager).”
The First Nation’s chief noted that this is something the community should take pride in.
“We must take this time to congratulate our membership, and acknowledge the work of the entire council, our directors and staff who have worked so hard to ensure the objectives set forth in our new Financial Management Act are being met. This adherence to our own laws continues to move us forward in a good way and is something our community can be proud of,” said Petit.
The letter from Indigenous Services concluded with wishes for the First Nation’s continued success.
(PHOTO: Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation Chief and Council meeting spot. Photo courtesy Facebook, Chief & Council – Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation.)