Dear Sekw’el’was community members,
On behalf of the newly elected Council and myself, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all members of our great Sekw’el’was community. It is with honor that we embark on this journey together, dedicated to serving and enhancing the well-being of our people.
As your Chief, I am committed to fostering an environment of unity, transparency, and inclusivity. I believe the strength of our community lies in the diversity of our voices and our collective experiences. We are coming together as one, to lift each other up and build a future that supports each member’s health, happiness, and prosperity. We recognize the challenges that lie ahead, but also see the immense potential within our community. With your support and active participation, we will work diligently to address the critical issues we face while seizing opportunities for growth, development, and self-determination.
We understand effective governance requires open communication and collaboration, and to that end, we support and encourage respectful discussion and dialogue. We will not tolerate lateral violence in any form, including the use of social media platforms to intimidate, harass, or spread misinformation. This type of behavior is detrimental to our community and will not be endured. We ask all members to uphold Sekw’el’was values of respect and caring when interacting with others whether in-person or online. With that said, I would like to take this moment to update you on a few community matters.
Communications
Please visit our official Facebook page, Sekwelwas Cayoose Creek and website for community updates and announcements. We are working to enhance these platforms to better serve you and ensure a regular, consistent flow of information. All announcements will also be posted at the Band Office in Lillooet and will be available in hard copy at the office or can be mailed to you upon request. We have also created a dedicated email, [communications@cayoosecreek.ca], for questions or concerns. We will do our best to respond to your emails in a timely manner. Moving forward, we will provide Community Updates from Council through email and on social media. Please look for our Calendar of Events and Special
Announcements on the website homepage.
Community Infrastructure
As you may be aware, this summer has seen an increase in forest fires, with over 400 of them currently burning across the country. We ask that you be vigilant and responsible when handling fires and ensure that safety measures are in place. We have recently established a Cayoose Fire and Water Group to address the emergent and ongoing risks faced by our members with our water supply that has long since been insufficient for domestic use and firefighting. The Cayoose Fire and Water Group will also be investigating the slide on Texas Creek Road that occurred in June of this year.
CCDC Update
CCDC worked with Chief and Council to produce the Amended and Restated Governance Agreement, December 2022. The Governance Agreement identifies the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and executive and financial reporting requirements. On July 25th, our Community Directors will host the first CCDC Annual General Meeting and present an overview of the businesses in 2022 and the corporate look ahead.
We are very pleased introduce the beginning of annual Royalties from Cayoose Creek Power LP, our partnership with Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. These Royalties are based on generating profits from the Walden North Hydroelectric facility and will be distributed directly to community members on an annual basis.
CCDC will be releasing its first Annual Report on July 18th to Cayoose Creek members, and a limited number of hard copies will be available for members only at the Band Office.
Initiation of Forensic Audit
We have recently engaged MNP LLP to undertake a forensic audit beginning July 17, to investigate and review policies for potential violation of the Band’s financial, human resources and other policies.
Band members have raised concerns over the disbursement and discretionary spending of health funding and other sources of Band funding, including travel and expense reimbursement, staff honoraria allocations, use of Band credit cards, and gift card allocations. Currently the scope of this audit is an investigation and policy review from 2017 onward, and addresses concerns about the conduct of former employees. MNP LLP will consider the potential role of the Chief and Council and others in the workplace who may have been involved in these matters.
Closing
Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading our community. I am humbled and honored to serve as your Chief, and I am eager to begin working alongside all of you to realize our shared vision.
Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Council if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns. Together, we will chart a course towards a bright future.
Wishing you and your families continued health, happiness, and prosperity.
Sincerely,
Chief Bonnie Adolph