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Thlap’Qwum Trust

Thlap’Qwum Trust Annual General Meeting

The Thlap’Qwum Trust Annual General Meeting took place on July 31 2024, at the Snuneymuxw Gymnasium (1145 Totem Rd, Nanaimo).

Event Recording: 
https://youtube.com/live/GpxBoVy6cBc?feature=share  

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Questions may be directed to the Associate Trust Officer, Charlene Gill at: Charlene.gill@td.com 

 
***Please note that the Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust (TCST) is NOT currently accepting applications for 2024. ***
 
Questions?

Questions may be directed to the Associate Trust Officer, Charlene Gill at TD Private Trust. She can be reached at: Charlene.Gill@td.com


Purpose of the Trust:

The general purpose of the Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust (TCST) is to improve the quality of life of SFN members, by generating and maximizing wealth for SFN through the promotion and funding of opportunities, programs, initiatives, and services.

For example:

  • Economic development
  • Advancement of Douglas treaty rights
  • Land Acquisition
  • Community Priorities (as specified under Section 31.1)
  • and the growth of the Original Capital and capital of the Trust (as specified under Section 5.7)

No part of the Trust Property will be paid, payable, or otherwise available for the personal benefit of any Trustee, Settler, or any SFN Member unless for a purpose authorized under the terms of this trust.


Background:

The Thlap’qwum Specific Claim was first filed in 1993 with Canada and the settlement claim from the Government of Canada was accepted by Chief and Council in 2019. We acknowledge and express gratitude and respect to former leaders and members of the community who have worked so diligently to bring our Nation to this point.

Snuneymuxw First Nation actively pursued this settlement with Canada for the loss of a 79-acre Indian Reserve that was located along Stewart Avenue in Nanaimo, across from Saysutshun. The 79-acres were wrongfully and unlawfully taken in the 1880s. Snuneymuxw First Nation Elders, including the late Chester Thomas, pressed the Snuneymuxw Government to address this loss. The Specific Claim was submitted in 1993 by late Chief Robert Thomas. Canada accepted the Specific Claim as valid, and offered to enter into negotiations in 2003.

These negotiations resulted in the settlement offer made by Canada in the summer of 2014. The Settlement Offer amounts to a total settlement amount of $49,148,121. Since 2003, negotiation costs for legal counsel and for the negotiations team cost $1,155,655. This was added to the settlement amount. Therefore, the net settlement amount under the 2014 offer is $47,992,466.

A copy of the Thlap’Qwum Trust Community Settlement Deed Agreement is available to Snuneymuxw First Nation members only. The agreement outlines the entire settlement that was ratified by members in 2018. Questions about this may be directed to the Associate Trust Officer, Charlene Gill at TD Private Trust. She can be reached at: Charlene.Gill@td.com.

Canada and Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) entered into an agreement entitled the “Snuneymuxw First Nation 79 Acre Reserve Specific Claim Settlement Agreement”, dated to be effective November 14, 2016. That contains, among others, terms and conditions satisfying the specific 79-are land claim.

Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) irrevocably directed Canada to advance a settlement as compensation into a trust named the Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust, for the benefit of Snuneymuxw First Nation. The use of the Trust Property is determined by Community Trustees in consultation with Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief and Council.

Use of the Trust Property:

Section 27 provides specific procedures respecting the disbursement of the Trust Property. There will be no distribution of Trust Property from the Original Capital of the Trust, except as authorized under Article 29.0.

Advance Requests of Funding:

The Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust offers Membership the opportunity to apply for a grant two times a year, in January and July. 
Please note, there is only one opportunity every 5 years to apply for individual member requests.

Advance requests must adhere to both Section 5.1 and 31. Section 28 sets out the Protocol for Advance Requests from Members. The process can be summarized as follows:

  • SFN Council receives all Advance requests from Members
  • A Member cannot submit more than 1 Advance Request in any five-year period,
  • A request cannot duplicate existing programs or services,
  • No personal benefit, personal use, furniture or appliances
  • No vehicle for personal use
  • No debt repayment
  • No travel costs for conferences or competitions
  • The amount requested must be accompanied by a budget.
  • All Advance Requests from SFN Council to the Community Trustees will be accompanied by forms set out in Schedule D and Schedule F.
  • All Advance requests will be submitted by Council to the Administrative Trustee.
  • The Administrative Trustee will ensure all documentation is in place and will then forward to the Trustees for review. All Advance requests must be consistent with  priorities.
  • The request must be for a Purpose authorized by Subsection 5.1.b and fits within Article 31.0 of the Trust Deed.
  • The request cannot duplicate any programs or services already provided for SFN Members.
  • The request cannot be for any personal benefit of the SFN Member, or anyone else in particular.
  • The request cannot be for:
    • Furniture, equipment, or appliances for personal use
    • Vehicles for personal use
    • The repayment of any form of debt or expense
    • Travel costs to attend conferences or competition
  • The amount of the request must clearly indicate a budget, that is not otherwise unreasonable.
  • SFN Council may attach conditions to the Advance Request as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and according to the terms and conditions of the Trust.
  • SFN Council will review the submission and may ask for more information and clarification.
  • The Administrative and Community Trustees will review the Advance Request at their next duly called meeting and every effort will be made to make a decision as quickly as possible.
 
 

Questions may be directed to the Associate Trust Officer, Charlene Gill at TD Private Trust, by email: Charlene.gill@td.com
In addition, contact information for community trustees can be found below.

Meet the Trustees:

Rae-Ann Joseph
Contact: rjoseph@sfntrust.ca

Rae-Ann Joseph (nee White) a proud Snuneymuxw member, born and raised in the community and now resides in North Vancouver with her husband and children.

Rae-Ann attended the University of Victoria with studies that focused on Indigenous Governance and Political Science. Over the last 20 years of professional experience, she has worked on several projects that include: Treaty, Specific Claims, Policy Development, Risk Assessment, Community Engagement, First Nations Legislation, Fiscal Relations and Communications and Brand Development.

Rae-Ann has been a small business owner and Partner in a Consulting firm that specializes in International Events, Communications and First Nations Business Development and Partnerships. As a licensed Insurance Agent, she is also the President of Sussex First Peoples Insurance Ltd.

Rae-Ann is an avid Lacrosse fan, Coach and Mentor; she established the first Lacrosse Academy on the North Shore and ran operations with her husband, Tewanee. Rae-Ann and her family fully support the development of players and teams in all levels of lacrosse, the Creator's Game.

Sandra Good
Contact:
sandragood@sfntrust.ca

Sandra is a proud member of Snuneymuxw First Nation. She is dedicated to her children Wanda and Chris, and three grandchildren.

Sandra has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Victoria

Sandra served three terms on Snuneymuxw Band Council. With over 20 years of experience working for the Nation, she believes strongly in the spirit of giving back to the community. Her strength as a long-term visionary has been instrumental in bringing innovative programs and projects in the areas of Health and Social services.

Sandra was one of the first trustees appointed to the Thlap’qwum Community Settlement Trust after the Trust Deed was signed in 2016. In addition to her 12 years of service on the Snuneymuxw Council, Sandra has many years of experience as a member of several boards and committees.

John Oreiro
Contact: joreiro@sfntrust.ca

John is a registered member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. John's mother is Martha Wyse (nee Rice), and his grandmother is Ellen Wyse (nee Rice). John's grandfather is Jimmy Joe Wyse, great grandmother is Mary Rice and great grandfather is Joe Wyse.

John holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. John obtained his High School Diploma from the Bainbridge High School located on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.

John has experience working with the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, as the Project Administrator, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the Office of Indian Programs as the Community Development Representative, Central Puget Sound Transit Authority, Sound Transit, Contract Administration.

 

Noel Brown

Noel is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and has been carving since 1995. Both of his grandfathers were good carvers.

Noel’s family has a strong artistic background and he has been interested and exposed to art all his life.

Noels father Jerry Brown is a hulquminum language teacher and shares his teachings and advice with him.

Noel works in many art forms – wood, metal, ceramic and jewellery. He is currently mentoring his youngest son in the art.

Tom Simpson

Tom's mother is Mildred Simpson, nee White. His Grandmother is Isabelle White, and his Grandfather is George White.

Tom worked for many years as a young man in the forest
industry. On the “rigging”, and for ten years as a faller, including Heli-falling. Tom's Grandpa George was also a faller, as was four of Tom's uncles, and his father Dave. Tom spent many years as a 3rd generation logger/faller, and he is proud to have followed in the footsteps of these strong, proud, men.

In 1991, he returned to school in accounting. After university, Tom worked in accounting and administration from 1992 forward. He worked at the Native Heritage Centre in Duncan, Kwumit Le Lum, New Forest Opportunities, and worked for six years in SFN’s Economic Development.

Tom currently owns and operates a busy woodworking shop in which he employs five people.

Tom has been serving as a Trustee with Thlap’quam Trust Fund, since Spring 2023.

Susanne Greisbach, Executive Trust Officer

Susanne began her career in 2010 as a lawyer in private practice, working for a number of years at a mid-sized firm in Ottawa in the areas of Wills, Trusts, and Estates law.

At her firm, Susanne worked with high net worth clients and their trusted advisors in order to translate wants and intentions into legal documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney and Trusts.

At TD, Susanne is currently managing a large book of Indigenous Trust files for communities located in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Susanne leverages her
experience in trust law and administration to provide guidance with respect to the ongoing administration of Indigenous Trusts, and acts as a general resource to assist Indigenous Communities in carrying out the provisions of their Trusts.

Charlene Gill, Associate Trust Officer 

Charlene has nine years' experience in the Trust industry.

She joined TD Wealth eight years ago, as a member of the growing Indigenous Trust Services Team in the Prairies, and has over 15 years' experience in the financial services industry.

Charlene is a relationship manager for several clients and is responsible for the day-to-day
administration and support of Nations Trusts.

Charlene's education includes Indigenous Studies, and
Social Work; through which she regularly volunteers with immigrant and refugee youth as well as the elderly.

Charlene loves to travel and spend time at the lake. She holds a certificate in Counselling, and is currently working toward her TEP designation.