The Squamish Nation government is undergoing an internal investigation that Chief Ian Campbell said was launched in early May after several months of contemplation.
A report on the investigation is expected in mid-to-late June.
“This issue was first raised in January and then it took a little bit of time to start looking at what is the proper process we can undertake in order to address concerns people may have,” Campbell told BIV.
A leaked June 4 memo from Chiefs and Council to band membership said: “We have directed our senior managers to undertake activities on our behalf to address such matters. At this time we cannot divulge details and are awaiting further steps stemming from a final report, which will conclude in mid-to-late June.
“As the matter concerns that of a political as well as administrative position, there are two relevant and separate processes that are necessary to take place and as a result we are taking necessary precautions and interim steps to minimize impacts to programs and services during the investigation period.”
Campbell said he couldn’t disclose details of the investigation. When asked if it was finance-related, he said, “I can’t confirm that.”
“Certainly our fiduciary obligation as Chiefs and Council is to ensure that accounting is done in a manner that is transparent and has the best controls and financial practices in place, any review of that that stems from this investigation would certainly need to be considered by Chiefs and Council,” said Campbell, a member of Chiefs and Council and a band spokesman.
Chiefs and Council co-chair Krisandra Jacobs and band manager Glen Newman did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Jacobs was among the 16 members elected for a four-year term last December, when Newman was re-elected to his position.
According to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Squamish Nation has received almost $40 million in federal funding during the three most recently reported fiscal years. For the year-ended March 31, 2013, taxpayers contributed $13,940,533 for various Squamish Nation programs. Squamish Nation’s First Nations Financial Transparency Act financial report for the year ended March 31, 2014, has not been published. As of December, the Squamish Nation had a registered population of 4,080, of which 2,420 members lived on reserve. Its traditional territory includes a vast area that encompasses downtown Vancouver, Howe Sound and Whistler.
In late March, the Squamish Nation made headlines when it joined the Musqueam Indian Band and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in an historic partnership to acquire Crown land from the provincial government. The Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh joined Aquilini Investment Group (AIG) to buy the Willingdon Lands in Burnaby. The finance ministry said at the time it would net $53.6 million for provincial coffers.
The Squamish Nation is also part of a deal set to close this fall to take over the Liquor Distribution Branch warehouse land in East Vancouver. Campbell said AIG was involved early on as an adviser on the deal. A developer has not been chosen.
In May 2010, the Squamish Nation signed a memorandum of understanding and an environmental and economic protocol agreement with the City of Vancouver following an April vote to designate 8.67 acres around the south end of the Burrard Bridge for development. The area, known as Senakw, is former Canadian Pacific Railway land that was returned to the Squamish Nation after a 2002 B.C. Court of Appeal judgment.
“We’re getting closer to completing the RFP guide that would then be made public so we can get the ball rolling on bringing that property through to fruition,” Campbell said.
