Kwantlen Band Council: Weekly Update
Each Monday, your Band Council will be providing you with a weekly update on band affairs, opportunities, and legal affairs.
New Westminster’s Acting Mayor joins Kwantlen Council at naming ceremony
On December 28th, New Westminster’s Acting Mayor Ruby Campbell, along with Mission School Board member Randy Cairns, attended as witnesses to Kwantlen Council’s naming ceremony at New Westminster Quay. The name stqɑyeʔéw̓txʷ was given to the Quay, in anticipation of the opening of Kwantlen’s New Offices there in January.
January 16 Online Information Session: Kwantlen’s 2021-2022 Financial Statement & Remuneration Statement
Kwantlen’s former band council’s audited financial statement is now available for review. To help band members better understand the document, we are hosting an information session conducted by a third party, experienced in reserve government finances.
CONFIRMED: the so-called Sto:lo Tribal Council letter is not from Sto:lo Tribal Council as Marilyn Gabriel had claimed
At the start of December, former chief Marilyn Gabriel and her gang sent a letter to Band Members, claiming that it was from the Sto:lo Tribal Council (STC). The message was supportive of her continuing as hereditary ruler over our nation. Media sources have now confirmed that Marilyn Gabriel’s group was wrong, and that “although the letter appeared to be written on STC letterhead, Kelly confirmed to the Current that it solely reflected his and Pennier’s personal opinion, not that of the larger tribal council and the other chiefs who serve on it.”
Applications open for relief funding
We have heard numerous reports of band members struggling for funding, while Marilyn Gabriel maintains her control over the band office. Accordingly, relief funding is now available for people facing these issues.
Job Opening: People’s Director Wanted for Kwantlen’s Off-Reserve Services Agency
In order to provide greater supports and services for off-reserve Band Members, KFN Council has authorized the creation of a new agency to be launched in January of 2023. This agency will include a People’s Director, who will be tasked with monitoring the work of the agency and reporting back on it to band members.
Referendum: January 22nd
To ensure the will of the Kwantlen people is clear, the Band Council has resolved to hold a referendum on January 22nd, 2023. The referendum will be open to all registered members of the Kwantlen First Nation who are aged 18 or above on the day of the vote. It will ask voters to confirm or reject each of the resolutions from the November 27th, 2022 vote, as well as confirm or reject the current five members of the Band Council.
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