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          Month: July 2015

          Malahat Nation purchases 525 hectares of land, tripling the size of their Nation

          Posted on by Stephen Blancher

          by ahnationtalk on July 17, 2015

          Purchase includes lands formerly known as Bamberton

          July 16, 2015, Malahat Nation (Coast Salish Territories), BC – The Malahat Nation, located next to the Vancouver Island town of Mill Bay, BC (40 Km north of Victoria, BC), has announced the purchase of approximately 525 hectares of land adjacent to their property, the area formerly known as Bamberton and including Oliphant Lake, more than tripling the size of their lands.

          The land purchase is unique in British Columbia, with the Malahat Nation’s Chief, Council, Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Lewis and Chief Legal Officer Nicole Hajash undertaking the negotiations between the sellers and First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). The purchase negotiations took more than 13 months to complete and is part of a larger Malahat Nation building plan, endorsed by the Nation community, Chief and Council.

          “Today marks a monumental moment for the future of the Malahat Nation as this land purchase helps to restore more of our traditional lands into our stewardship,” says Chief Michael Harry, Malahat Nation. “We are moving forward to develop and protect the long-term viability of our people and our lands, while respecting our relationship with the neighbouring communities of southern Vancouver Island.”

          The Malahat Nation plans to explore long-term opportunities for the newly acquired lands, including marine and terrestrial development, which align directly with its existing zoning and purpose. In consultation with Chief and Council, the Malahat Nation, through its Business Development Corporation plans to pursue a number of possible business development opportunities and joint ventures, including tourism, light industry, housing, and maritime development opportunities throughout the core of its land holdings. The land expansion opportunity was identified as part of the Malahat Nation Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), which was first conceptualized in 2013 and officially came into effect earlier this year. The CDP created a vision for the Nation that focuses on long-term economic goals to improve the well-being of the Nation and its people.

          The land purchase will also help to expand the Malahat Nation’s relationship with Quantum Murray, an industrial and environmental management services company with operations across Canada. In 2014, the Malahat Nation and Quantum Murray formed a joint venture to help pursue industrial service opportunities. Quantum Murray is currently employing members of the Malahat Nation as part of its development site on Malahat Reserve Lands.

           

          “We are excited to be able to explore both short-term and long-term economic development initiatives,” says Lewis.”

          In addition to the CDP, the Malahat Nation developed a Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) in 2012 to act as the Nation’s governing plan and guiding principles and values. It is designed to help the Malahat Nation further exercise their sovereignty and make progress toward a future that incorporates social, economic, political, cultural growth, and wealth. As part of the CCP, the Malahat Nation identified the need for improved housing, helping to encourage members to return home and enhance the well being of their residents. In the last three years, nine new residences have been constructed, with four under construction, and plans for five to be built each year for the next five years. The Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre was completed in 2014 and provides a place for the community to learn, share their values, re-build the strengths of their culture and have a space to gather.

          About the Malahat Nation

          The Malahat Nation is located adjacent to the town of Mill Bay, BC, 40 Km north of Victoria, BC. With close to 300 members in total – and 135 living on the Malahat lands – the Malahat Nation is a small First Nations community. Its Chief & Council are committed to improving the livelihood of their people through a series of initiatives based on comprehensive community and development plans that are focused on Nation building. For more information, visit www.malahatnation.ca and www.nationbuilding.ca.

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          Media contact:

          Brian Cant, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-888-8729 (cell) or brian@tartangroup.ca

          FNFA Press Release – July 17, 2015

          Posted on by Stephen Blancher

          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           

          The First Nations Finance Authority Issues $106M (CA) in Loans to First Nations

          WESTBANK, BRITISH COLUMBIA (July 20, 2015) – The First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) is pleased to announce the reopening of its 2014 inaugural debenture to add an additional $50 million (CA) of debt, for a combined issue of $140 million (CA). These proceeds, plus interim bridge financing, have funded $106M in new loans this year. FNFA bonds are used by the Authority’s Borrowing Members (participating First Nation governments) for capital purposes, investing in the infrastructure that encourages economic development and supports the building of safe, healthy, and prosperous First Nation communities.

          Jody Wilson-Raybould, Chair of the FNFA, stated, “I am extremely pleased with the market interest in, and reception of, FNFA bonds and the incredible potential for growth. Pooling First Nation borrowing requirements through the FNFA, based on a collective credit, has made access to timely and affordable public financing for First Nations a reality.” Chair Wilson-Raybould added that “the FNFA is helping to bring about transformative change in First Nation communities. With the monies raised through the FNFA, First Nations are now able to build much-needed infrastructure that supports social and economic development.”

          Siksika Nation, Alberta will use their proceeds from the opened issue to build a new school. According to Siksika Chief, Vincent Yellow Old Woman, “working with the FNFA means that our children will be able to go to a school that we are able to build in a good way for them.” Vincent Andrew, the Chief Financial Officer of the Siksika Nation, commented that “having an organization like the FNFA has really been a life saver in many ways. ” He added, “Siksika Nation had other borrowing options through the traditional banks—but with the FNFA, the rates, terms and conditions were better and, quite frankly, FNFA was a lot easier to work with.”

          Chief David Harry of the Malahat First Nation, BC, also participating in the second issue, commented that “for about the last 20 years, we struggled internally and were only managing poverty.” Today, however, “Malahat First Nation has a comprehensive, community-driven plan that focuses on nation building, where increasing the land base was an important component of this plan. The FNFA gave us the ability to acquire the land a lot faster than we ever thought possible.” Lawrence Lewis, Manager of the Malahat First Nation added, “being a Borrowing Member of the FNFA gives us the tools we need to protect our language and culture and deliver on the goals that our community members have expressed through our comprehensive community plan.”

          “The FNFA is quickly becoming the lender of choice for First Nations governments,” explained Ernie R. Daniels, President and CEO. “First Nations are beginning to see that there is a better and more appropriate way to finance their projects, and in a manner similar to other governments in Canada.”

          The FNFA is a not-for-profit First Nation institution established pursuant to the federal First Nations Fiscal Management Act. The FNFA provides qualifying First Nations from across Canada with access to the capital markets. The Borrowing Members of the FNFA govern the FNFA through an elected Board of Directors. The FNFA enjoys two investment grade credit ratings: A3 from Moody’s Investors Service and A- from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

           

          For more information, please visit the FNFA website at www.fnfa.ca.

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          Media contact:

          Ernie R. Daniels,

          President and CEO, First Nations Finance Authority,

          Phone: (250) 768.5253 ext. 112, email: edaniels@fnfa.ca