Three First Nations in British Columbia - Squiala First Nation, Seabird Island First Nation, and Westbank First Nation - shared their experiences with Smith's Landing First Nation to help guide their development. The Nations explained how becoming self-governing and implementing economic development plans allowed them to develop community centers and fund services for their members, such as daycares, schools, and youth programs. They emphasized that achieving self-sufficiency takes time but results in stronger communities and prosperity. Smith's Landing was encouraged that with organization and persistence, they too could create needed infrastructure and services for their members.

1. SMITH’S LANDING FIRST NATION
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 23, 2017
LEARNING FROM OUR FELLOW FIRST NATIONS
SERVING COMMUNITY NEEDS, CREATING ECONOMIC SUCCESS
As a result, Squiala First Nation
is able to offer several financial
aid programs such as Elders
travel expenses and support for
parents with young children. It’s
a similar story at Westbank First
Nation, which now has the
largest commercial and
residential development on any
reserve in Canada.
For some of these First Nations,
becoming self-governing was a
crucial element in order to
create their own bylaws which dictate the types of development in order to help the
community grow. In Squiala First Nation, the development of internal departments
streamlined the day-to-day operations and allowed council to focus on the membership
and long-term planning.
“Chief and council don’t need to be dealing with the day-to-day. They’re supposed to
govern,” said Squiala First Nation Chief David Jimmie.
Westbank and Seabird Island created bylaws important to the band membership and
as a result, they are able to enforce those bylaws accordingly.
“Becoming a self-governing First Nation allowed us to address many of our community
needs,” said Jason Campbell, Seabird Island First Nation
councillor.
By implementing their own governance models and economic development bylaws,
many of these First Nations paved the way for others like Smith’s Landing First Nation
to become stronger and more profitable bands. It will take some work, but all three First
Nations staff and council part of the Governance Tour agreed it is possible for SLFN to
develop the necessary infrastructure and receive the funding necessary to support the
band membership.
“It’s not going to happen overnight. But if you’re persistent, it’s going to happen,”
explained Seabird Island Chief Clem Seymour.
Smith’s Landing First Nation Chief, council and senior management were recently
given an inside look into some of the great programs and services currently offered by
three of British Columbia’s best run First Nations.
Chief Lorraine MacDonald, Councillors Thaidene Paulette and Geronimo Paulette
along with SLFN Housing Manager Gerry Cheezie and CEO Anand Soochit toured the
three very different and highly developed First Nations from Feb. 6-8.
Squiala First Nation, Seabird Island First Nation and Westbank First Nation were all
enthusiastic to provide SLFN with information on the development of a Community
Wellness Centre, economic development and other community services.
Representatives from the three First Nations spoke of how their communities have
created services specifically geared towards their band members after developing a
community plan to guide council and administration. Services like a daycare and a
college in Seabird Island, to primary education with cultural teachings within Squiala
First Nation, to a new youth centre in Westbank are just some examples of the
services dictated by band members and later implemented by the band.
“We’ve in fact paved the way for many First Nations and we’re happy to help you
along the way,” said Raf De Guevara, Westbank staff member during the tour.
All three of the First Nations visited by SLFN Chief and council featured a main
building where administration and services were housed, with additional community
buildings catering to different band members, such as an Elders lodge or a youth
centre.
Two of the B.C. First Nations
rely heavily on economic
development on reserve to
fund the construction of
those buildings. Westbank
First Nation and Squiala First
Nation have welcomed big
businesses such as
Wal-Mart, Home Depot and
other companies onto the
reserve in order to collect
taxes.
Summary point form:
Serving community needs allows Nations to keep wealth and grow stronger
Small, remote Nations like SLFN can achieve a lot if they're well organized
Other Nations are here to support us on our journey
Self-governance and self-sufficiency take time, but the rewards are
prosperity and pride
A community centre is a hub for services and growth
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SQUIALA FIRST NATION CHIEF DAVID JIMMIE WITH SLFN
COUNCIL AND STAFF IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
SEABIRD ISLAND COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION SPOKE
TO THE SLFN GROUP ABOUT THE MANY SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS OFFERED ON RESERVE.

2. Prepared by ALIF Partners | alifpartners.com
WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES COULD SMITH’S
LANDING FIRST NATION BENEFIT FROM?
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SLFN AND THE THREE B.C. FIRST NATIONS
SQUIALA
FIRST NATION
• Small band membership
• Prime land for economic development
Community centre: Their main building,
which was the community centre, was the
meeting point for the community and
most of their services operate out of this
building.
Economic development: Squiala
receives a significant portion of their
revenue from their Eagle Landing
shopping area which is on reserve.
Schools: In an effort to provide an
education to their youngest band
members, the FN has a school within their
community centre and provides education
for kids up to Grade 3 which incorporates
local culture and tradition.
Programs and services: The First Nation
developed a community plan to help their
band members by funding programs such
as Healthy Babies, technical training for
young adults and extended medical
coverage.
S I M I L A R I T I E S W I T H S M I T H ’ S L A N D I N G F I R S T N AT I O N
P O T E N T I A L TA K E A W A Y S F O R S M I T H ’ S L A N D I N G F I R S T N AT I O N
SEABIRD ISLAND
FIRST NATION
• Located in close proximity to a town/city
• Natural landscape aplenty
Community centre: Their main building
housed many of their services including
the pharmacy, doctors and recreation
programs.
Schooling on reserve: In order to meet
the needs of the community, band council
and administration decided to build
primary schools and a college so band
youth could be educated at home. The
schools also educate non-band members
from neighbouring communities as well.
Youth centre: In order to deal with their
youth and keep them occupied, the youth
centre offers programming and events.
Daycare: Seabird Island has a developed
childminding facility that welcomes young
to preschool age children.
WESTBANK
FIRST NATION
• Opportunity to welcome band members
and non-band members onto reserve
• Potential for economic development
Community centre: Their Health and
Wellness centre was one of the many
buildings they built to house community
activities.
Economic development: By becoming
self governing allowed them to dictate the
types of development and as a result,
their revenue from the types of
development.
Tax collection: Due to their large number
of non-band members (10,000 people
approximately), the band is able to draw
upon that tax base and build the
necessary infrastructure.
Youth centre: In order to keep their youth
entertained and given the necessary
services, the band has developed a youth
centre.
SEABIRD ISLAND CHIEF CLEM SEYMOUR AND SLFN CHIEF
LORRAINE MACDONALDSQUIALA FIRST NATION'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
WESTBANK FIRST NATION ADMINISTRATION MET WITH THE
SLFN GROUP TO DISCUSS THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT VENTURES AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS FOUND ON
THE RESERVE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA