By James Wastasecoot
At the Peguis Surrender Claim Annual General Meeting on Friday May 20, 2024, members of the Trust Nominating Committee accepted a recommendation that the criteria for trustee applications be changed. The TNC issued a third call-out for trustees last month based on criteria that stated applicants “must not have a criminal record involving financial matters nor any civil record involving related matters.”
At the meeting, following an update by the Committee in their efforts to organize the long-awaited trust election, Hal Sutherland, Community Fund Trustee of the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust, took to the microphone and informed the meeting that the criteria is wrong, and should be corrected to read trustee applicants “must not have a criminal record” period. He said that exact wording was approved in a community ratified in 2008 and should be adhered to.
The TNC committee members accepted the correction and announced they will repost the notice for 30 days beginning Monday May 13, 2024. The new deadline for trustee applications has been set for June 28, 2024.
The TNC members are: Wayne Bird (chair), Heather Sinclair (vice chair), Clarence Daniels, Courtney Hudson, Jules McPherson, Rose Mayo, and Victor Sutherland.
Both the Treaty Land Entitlement Trust and the Surrender Claim Trust have vacancies due to retirements or deaths and no longer can sustain a quorum required for decisions including disbursements for community projects such as housing, business development, youth activities and elder grants. The Surrender Claim Trust has not been able to disburse at least $12 million in the 3 years in which the trustee elections process has been under discussion and repeated call-outs for applicants.
The following trustee positions are vacant:
Treaty Land Entitlement Financial Trustees
2 Vacancies:
1Appointed Accountant Position and 1 Off Reserve Elected Position
3 Alternates Members
Treaty Land Entitlement Community Fund Trustees 3 Vacancies:
2 on-reserve 1 off-reserve (All Elected Positions)
2 Alternative Members