The first annual report as a self-governing nation was presented to Tsawwassen First Nation community members on Sept. 11.

Chief Kim Baird said the 2009-10 report contained “added value” for members.

“TFN continues to try and provide its members with an accurate sense of the performance of the organization. For the past several years, it has produced annual service plans which set out objectives and targets for the coming year. It has reported on those service plans through its annual report.

“This has been a very useful exercise, but TFN continues to try and improve that process. This coming year, TFN will be focused on linking program objectives and outcomes to its budgeted expenditures in a meaningful way that provides ‘added value’ to both the Tsawwassen Legislature and all Tsawwassen members.”

She said that more added value came to both government and members through the information learned in two surveys that were conducted over the past year. One was on the health status of Tsawwassen members and another on their employment status.

“In addition, TFN is initiating a larger survey of members, focused on quality-of-life factors,” Chief Baird said. “The intent is to conduct the survey this fiscal year and repeat it every two years. This will give TFN a good measure of how the treaty, and its implementation and benefits, are impacting members.”

Objectives, strategies and measurements

The 60-page report gives a snapshot of what was achieved, in a most momentous year, in terms of Tsawwassen five-year strategic plan that was adopted in 2008.

The ‘meat’ of the document are the departmental reports and how they related to objectives set out in the 2009-10 Service Plan. Objectives are spelled out and strategies for achieving them discussed along with the performance measures that were used as indicators of progress.

Departments included: Governance; Public Works; Lands; Natural Resources and Environment; Health and Social Development; Social Development/Culture; and Education and Skills Development.

A few of the highlights included:

• Formation of the Executive Council, Legislative Assembly and Advisory Council;
• Establishment of a new Financial Management Policy and procedures as well as a new Procurement Policy;
• A fully functional Judicial Council and Office of the Prosecutor by June 2009;
• Regular patrols by Delta Police thanks to liaison of Public Works; and
• Staff trained on the new regulations and processes and planning expertise contracted for sound management of TFN lands and water interests.