Annual Report2010-2011

A MessageFROM THE CHAIR AND

PRESIDENT

We are pleased to present this Annual Report for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to our members and stake-

holders.

This past year has been AFOA’s most successful year sinceour doors opened eleven years ago.

This success is manifest in a broad range of milestones. It is adirect result of the quality of AFOA’s growing suite of pro-grams and services, our communication, marketing and out-reach initiatives and the corresponding rise in AFOA’s profileover the last several years.

OVER2,000 BENEFIT FROMAFOA TRAINING More peoplereceived training from AFOA this year than any in the past.We estimate that AFOA has provided capacity building toapproximately 2,200 Aboriginals in 2010-2011 through itscourses, workshops and other programs described in thisAnnual Report. Registration for on-line courses alone thisyear increased by 60%.

FIRST ARTICULATIONAGREEMENT SIGNEDWITHCANADIANUNIVERSITY We signed an unprecedented articulationagreement with the Edwards School of Business at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. This agreement is the first AFOAhas negotiated with a university which gives students withan Aboriginal Financial Management (AFM) diploma theoption of entering a degree program at a University withadvanced standing.

RECORDATTENDANCE ATNATIONALCONFERENCEOver 1,100 participants were in the Ballroom at the WestinBayshore Hotel in Vancouver in February 2011 to hear theopening remarks at AFOA’s 11th National Conference– anincredible accomplishment. They came from all across thecountry, from a wide range of communities and organiza-tions and they held a wide range of positions – FinanceManagers, Band Administrators, Chief Executive Officers,elected and appointed leaders, program managers and gov-ernment members. Our National Conference has becomethe Aboriginal event that must be attended.

MEMBERSHIP CONTINUESTO RISE At the writing of thisreport, AFOA had 1,679 members – representing a 6.3%increase from the previous year. Each year AFOA welcomesmore and more members into the organization. This is aneven more powerful measure of AFOA’s success when com-pared to the diminishing membership of many other similarAssociations.

CORPORATE CANADADEMONSTRATES SOLID SUPPORTThis year was the first in which AFOA was able to securefunding for one of its programs from a corporate partner.This is particularly important as we move to reduce ourreliance on government funding. Corporate membership hasalso reached a new high and includes most of the majorfinancial and accounting firms in the country. See elsewherein this Report for more indications that Canadian corpora-tions are increasingly realizing the value of supportingAFOA’s efforts.

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ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

MEETINGTHE NEEDSOF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ANDELECTED LEADERS – A NEW ERA With the completion ofphase one of the Certified Aboriginal Public Administrator(CAPA) program, and the introduction of two new work-shops for elected leaders, AFOA is now poised to expand itsreach and help to enhance capacity among the two otherkey players responsible for management and governance inAboriginal communities.

EXPANDINGYOUTH PROGRAMS This year saw a number ofimportant initiatives aimed at Aboriginal youth which willserve as a catalyst for future activities in this area. Theseefforts have two important objectives: one, to increase finan-cial literacy and two, to build a new generation of Aboriginalfinancial managers. See the Youth Initiatives elsewhere inthis Report.

INAC SCORESAFOA ATTHETOP INAC introduced a newGeneral Assessment tool this year to gauge risk factorsamong funded organizations and adjust funding arrange-ments accordingly. We were very pleased to hear that AFOAreceived the best possible score which will result in moreflexible funding arrangements for years to come, includingmulti-year funding.

As the Association Magazine wrote about AFOA in itsFebruary/March 2011 issue, “While not-for-profit groupsacross the country battle shrinking budgets, volunteer apathyand dwindling membership, the AFOA has been soaring sky-ward with one success after another.”

Like any successful organization, the reason for our successlies in our people. The organization is both volunteer andstaff driven. We want to express our deepest gratitude toour Board of Directors, our Committees, our volunteers andour dedicated staff. Thank you also to our members fromacross the country. You represent the Aboriginal leaders ofthe future and you will be instrumental in bringing eco-nomic and social prosperity to our people.

“Thank you also to our members from acrossthe country. You represent the Aboriginalleaders of the future and you will beinstrumental in bringing economic andsocial prosperity to our people.”

Ernie Daniels CGA, CAFM President & Chief Operating Officer

Dana Soonias CAFM Chairman

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Ernie Daniels and Dana Soonias

BoardofDirectorsAND COMMITTEES

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ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

AFOA is led by a dedicated ExecutiveCommittee and Board of Directors

comprising Aboriginal leaders in financeand management from across the country.Our Association’s success is a direct result of their commitment and the investment oftheir time and effort.

2010-2011 EXECUTIVE

Chair: Dana Soonias, CAFM(Saskatchewan) Chief Executive Officer,Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SK

Vice-Chair: Janice Rose, MBA (At-Large)Principal Consultant, J.M. Rose &Associates, Ladysmith, BC

Secretary-Treasurer: Allan Munroe, CAFM(Manitoba) Senior Financial Advisor,Swampy Cree Tribal Council, The Pas, MB

DIRECTORS

Gloria Allen (Northwest Territories) TeamLeader, Service Canada – Inuvik, NT

Carol Ann Barnaby, CAFM (Atlantic) Vice President, Abenaki Associates, Eel Ground First Nation, NB

John Carter, CD, MBA, FCGA, CAFM(At-large – CGA representative) Chief Executive Officer, YellowknivesDene First Nation, Yellowknife, NT

Dennis Meeches (At-Large) Portage La Prairie, MB

Daniel Richard, CA, CAFM (At-large) Chief Financial Officer, Child & FamilyServices Authority, Winnipeg, MB

André Richer, C.Adm, CGA, CAFM (Quebec)AFOA Quebec President, Saint-Hubert, QC

Stan Sabourin, CAFM (Ontario) BrunswickHouse First Nation, Chapleau, ON

Brian Titus, CAFM (British Columbia) Chief Financial Officer, Osoyoos IndianBand Development Corporation, Oliver, BC

Fred Tolmie, CA, BBA, CAFM (At-Large)Chief Executive Officer, Nisga LisimsGovernment, New Aiynash, BC

Gerald W. Whitford (Alberta) Administrator,Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Lac La Biche, AB

OUTGOINGDIRECTORS

Chair: Romeo Crow Chief, CAFM (Alberta)President/Executive Director, AFOAAlberta, Siksika, AB

Jacques Lepage, CAFM (Ontario) Co-Manager, Nawabik Co-operative Inc,Cochrane, ON

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COMMITTEES

A number of key Committees guided various aspects of AFOA’s work over the year. We areindebted to Committee members for volunteering their time and providing counsel andleadership that enhanced our programs and services over 2010-2011.

NATIONALCONFERENCE COMMITTEE 2011

Co-Chair: Deanna Hamilton Deputy Chair, President/CEO, First Nations Finance Authority,Westbank, BC

Co-Chair: Brian Titus, CAFM Chief Financial Officer, Osoyoos Indian Band DevelopmentCorporation, Oliver, BC

John Beaucage, DLitt CEO, Lake Huron Anishinabek Transmission Company andChairman, First Nations Market Housing Fund, Ottawa, ON

Leanne M. Bellegarde, LLB Director, Aboriginal Strategy, PotashCorp, Saskatoon, SK Beatrice Carpentier, BSW Band Manager, O’Chiese First Nation, Rocky Mountain House, AB Jackie Coulter, CAFM Senior Administrative Officer Trainer, Incorporated Hamlet of Sachs

Harbour, Sachs Harbour, NT Murray Long Director, Self-Government, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Whitecap, SK Keith Nyce Councillor, Kitamaat Village Council, Kitamaat Village, BC Jim Prodger, CAFM Manager of Finance, Millbrook First Nation, Truro, NS Wayne Solomon, ACMA, CMA Principal, Tundra Consulting Inc., Cambridge Bay, NU

EDUCATIONCOMMITTEE

Chair: Janice Rose, MBA Principal Consultant, J.M. Rose & Associates, Ladysmith, BCGloria Allen Officer in Charge, Service Canada, Inuvik, NTLynn Anderson, CGA, CAFM Accounting Policy Analyst, Ministry of Finance, Province of

British Columbia, Victoria, BCJohn Carter, CD, MBA, FCGA, CAFM Chief Executive Officer, Yellowknives Dene First Nation,

Yellowknife, NTRomeo Crow Chief, CAFM President/Executive Director, AFOA Alberta, Siksika, ABJim Pealow, CAFM, MBA, CMA, CMC Managing Partner, AMCES, Kanata, ONSusan Wood, CAFM Finance Manager, Skidegate Band Council, Skidegate, BC

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Chair: Allan Munroe, CAFM Senior Financial Advisor, Swampy Cree Tribal Council, The Pas,MB

Elona Arnett, CGA, CAFM Financial Controller, Takla Lake First Nation, Prince George, BCNorman G. Grdina, CGA, CFE, CAFM Audit, Taxation and Administrative Partner, Morrow &

Co. Certified General Accountants, Vancouver, BCDaniel Richard, CA, CAFM (At-large) Chief Financial Officer, Child & Family Services

Authority, Winnipeg, MBAndré Richer, C.Adm, CGA, CAFM (Quebec) AFOA Quebec President, Saint-Hubert, QCDana Soonias, CAFM Chief Executive Officer, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SKVicki Yellow Old Woman, BA Siksika First Nation, AB

XEROX-AFOA CANADAEXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP PANEL

Dan Christmas Senior Advisor, Membertou First Nation (2008 Regional recipient), Sydney, NSLynn Anne Knockwood Director of Common Services, Conferency of Mainland Mikmaq

(2010 Regional recipient), Truro, NSKeith Martell, CA, CAFM Chairman and CEO, First Nations Bank of Canada (2004 National

recipient)Sharon Stevenson, CAFM Finance Manager, Peguis School Board (2004 Regional recipi-

ent), Peguis, MBThomas Maracle National Manager, Xerox Canada Ltd.Dana Soonias, CAFM Chair, AFOA Canada Board, Chief Executive Officer, Wanuskewin

Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SKErnie Daniels, CGA, CAFM President & COO, AFOA Canada

AFOA SECRETARIAT STAFF

AFOA’s success is in large part due to the tremendousefforts of our small but highly efficient and energeticSecretariat. AFOA would liketo thank staff members fortheir hard work, commitmentand dedication. They are:

Ernie Daniels, CGA, CAFMPresident & ChiefOperating Officer

Patricia Debassige Administrative Assistant

Christine Dewache Administrative Coordinator

Sheila Howard Project & Event Coordinator

Jeff Hunter Education ProgramCoordinator

Leanne HunterExecutive Coordinator

Randy Mayes, CAFMManager, Membership and Certification

Hayley MoorhouseCAPA Project Assistant/Researcher

Dwayne NashkawaManager, CAPA Program

Tammy Saulis, CAFMDirector, Finance & Administration

Christine ToulouseEducation Program Coordinator (startingNovember 2010)

Frederic VicairePrograms & ServicesCoordinator

Jody WarnesEducation ProgramManager

Suzanne M. Werhar-Seebach,CAE Director, Programs, Servicesand Communications

Amanda WilliamsSummer Student

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

COMMITTEES (continued)

CERTIFIEDABORIGINAL PUBLICADMINISTRATOR (CAPA) COUNCIL

Chair: Tammy Drew, CGA, CAFM General Manager, Miawpukek First Nation, Conne River, NLAl Arcand Band Administrator, Alexander First Nation, Morinville, ABAmy Big George, CAFM Trust Administrator, Rainy River First Nation, Emo, ONAndre Richer, C.Adm, CGA, CAFM AFOA Quebec President, Saint-Hubert, QCEd Allen National Centre for First Nations Governance – BC, West Vancouver, BCBeatrice Carpentier Band Manager, O’Chiese First Nation, Rocky Mountain House, ABHerman Bakvis Professor and Acting Director, School of Public Administration – University of Victoria, Victoria, BCHarvey Paul, CAFM Councillor, Chehalis First Nation, Agassiz, BCJanice Rose, MBA Principal Consultant, J.M. Rose & Associates, Ladysmith, BCJohn Carter, CD, MBA, FCGA, CAFM (At-large – CGA representative) Chief Executive Officer, Yellowknives Dene First Nation,

Yellowknife, NTKeith Nyce Councillor, Kitamaat Village Council, Kitamaat Village, BCLeonard Murray, CAFM Band Manager, Chapel Island First Nation, St. Peters, NSLouis (Smokey) Bruyere Band Manager, Couchiching First Nation, Fort Frances, ONPatrick Cheechoo Financial Advisor, Matawa First Nations Management, Thunder Bay, ONRobert Smith, CA Director of Finance, Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, Listuguj, QCStan Sabourin, BA, CAFM Band Administrator, Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau, ON

AFOA-CHAPTER COORDINATIONTASK FORCE

Chair: Janice Rose, MBA Principal Consultant, J.M. Rose & Associates, Ladysmith, BCCarol Ann Barnaby, CAFM Vice President, Abenaki Associates, Eel Ground First Nation, NBJacques Lepage, CAFM Co-Manager, Nawabik Co-operative Inc, Cochrane, ONMike Mearns, CAFM General Manager, AFOA British Columbia, Vancouver, BCAllan Munroe, CAFM (Manitoba) Senior Financial Advisor, Swampy Cree Tribal Council, The Pas, MB

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Carol Ann Barnaby, CAFM Vice President, Abenaki Associates, Eel Ground First Nation, NBJacques Lepage, CAFM Co-Manager, Nawabik Co-operative Inc, Cochrane, ONAllan Munroe, CAFM Senior Financial Advisor, Swampy Cree Tribal Council, The Pas, MBHarvey Paul, CAFM Councillor, Chehalis First Nation, Agassiz, BCSusan Wood, CAFM Finance Manager, Skidegate Band Council, Skidegate, BC

SPECIAL ETHICS COMMITTEE

Chair: Dana Soonias, CAFM Chief Executive Officer, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SKAllan Munroe, CAFM Senior Financial Advisor, Swampy Cree Tribal Council, The Pas, MBJohn Carter, CD, MBA, FCGA, CAFM Chief Executive Officer, Yellowknife Dene First Nation, Yellowknife, NT

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AFOA continued this year to enhance its governance andmanagement practices with outstanding results.

A portion of AFOA’s operations is funded by the Departmentof Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). This past yearINAC introduced a new General Assessment (GA) tool as partof the implementation of the Treasury Board’s 2008 Policy onTransfer Payments. One of its requirements is that theDepartment administer transfer payment programs in a man-ner that takes into account risk profiles of funding recipients.

The GA looks at four risk factors of a recipient: operations,governance, planning and financial management. In prepa-ration for the next fiscal year funding agreement, AFOAundertook the GA in January, 2011. AFOA Canada was rateda score of “0.0” which is the best score possible and repre-sents little or no risk. As a result of achieving this score, theAssociation will have significantly more flexible fundingarrangements including the potential for multi-year fundingbeginning in 2012/2013, less reporting and the ability toretain reasonable surpluses. For AFOA this is a significantachievement and is a direct result of excellent managementand governance.

This year we completed Phase one and two of three plannedphases of office reconstruction to accommodate our expand-ing staff. Phase two will be completed next fiscal year.

In 2010-2011, AFOA also introduced special information sessions at regular Board meetings at which guest speakerswere invited to make presentations to Board members onemerging developments of interest.

AFOA

Governance andManagement

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ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

THECERTIFIEDABORIGINAL FINANCIALMANAGER(CAFM) DESIGNATION

The Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designa-tion is increasingly becoming the preferred credential forAboriginal financial management – one that identifiesCAFMs as highly qualified financial managers able to meettoday’s unique challenges. The designation is based on rig-orous competency and ethical standards, and a combinationof education and experience requirements. Since 1999,AFOA has conferred 427 CAFM designations. In 2010-2011, 16 individuals were granted the CAFM designation.

In July 2008, First Nations Chiefs passed a resolution at theAssembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly that signaled their support of the CAFM as a credential when hiring personnel in financial and management positions.Over the last two years, we have seen a demonstrable increasein the number of Aboriginal organizations and communitiesrequiring the CAFM designation for financial positions.

THEABORIGINAL FINANCIALMANAGEMENT (AFM)PROGRAM

Completion of the AFM Educational Program is the first stepto receiving the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager(CAFM) designation. The AFM Program comprises fourteencourses. Five of these courses are offered on-line by AFOACanada.

AFM 3: BUSINESS LAWAFM 4: STRATEGIES & DECISIONSAFM 5: VALUES& ETHICS INTHEABORIGINALWORKPLACEAFM 6: ABORIGINAL HISTORY & DEVELOPMENTSAFM 14: ABORIGINAL HUMAN & FISCAL ISSUES

This year two semesters of courses were offered beginningSeptember 13, 2010 and February 7, 2011. A total of 236students enrolled in the AFM Program on-line courses.This represents a 55% increase over last year.

The remaining nine courses required to receive the CAFMdesignation are delivered by colleges and universities acrossCanada. The courses are:

AFM 1: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FUNDAMENTALSAFM 2: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONSAFM 7: MANAGING INFORMATION SYSTEMSAFM 8: MICRO & MACRO ECONOMICSAFM 9: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: ASSETSAFM 10: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: LIABILITIES & EQUITIESAFM 11: BUSINESS QUANTITATIVE ANALYSISAFM 12: MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING FUNDAMENTALSAFM 13: CORPORATE FINANCE FUNDAMENTALS

AFOA has included information on which colleges & univer-sities offer these courses in each province and territory atwww.afoa.ca.

AFOA

EducationPrograms

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AFM 5: VALUES& ETHICS INTHEABORIGINALWORKPLACECOURSE ENHANCED

Values & Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace is one of AFOA’score AFM courses. It focuses on reaching an understandingon terms like ethics, values and morals and putting them inthe context of an Aboriginal working environment. AFOAidentified a need to further enhance this course by includingadditional sources and case studies and adding a “BestPractice Manual for Writing a Code of Ethics”.

AFM 3: BUSINESS LAWUPDATED

This year work began on updating the AFM 3 Business Lawcourse to reflect recent changes in legislation such as Bill C-21 which means that First Nations are covered by theCanadian Human Rights Act as of June 18, 2011. The newcontent also looks at recent court cases and how theCanadian Judicial System has made decisions that directlyimpact Aboriginal people. These changes will be imple-mented in the September 2011 semester.

AFOA PUBLICADMINISTRATORCERTIFICATECOURSES

AFOA also has available a series of Public Administrator certificate on-line courses focusing on general managementand other topics.

This year two semesters of public administrator certificatecourses were offered beginning September 13, 2010 andFebruary 7, 2011. A total of 98 students enrolled in the man-agement certificate courses. This represents a 337% increaseover last year.

AFOA’s current Public Administrator Certificate courses are:

AFOA 1: COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTDeveloped to enable financial and other program managers, Chiefs and Council and community membersto gain a broader insight into aspects of community economic development.

AFOA 2: ABORIGINAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1Examines how to manage change, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making, meeting management,communications, negotiation and dispute resolution, continuous improvement and self-management.

AFOA 3: ABORIGINAL PROGRAMMANAGEMENTCovers a broad range of topics from policy and planning,to resources, accountability, reporting, evaluation andbuilding relationships.

AFOA 4: ABORIGINAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2Building on the knowledge acquired in AboriginalManagement Practices 1, examines governance issues,policy making and planning, human resource manage-ment and other key management issues.

AFOA 6: PERFORMANCEMEASUREMENT & REPORTING INFIRST NATIONSIntroduces the concept of Performance Reporting in aFirst Nation context, identifies core principles of perform-ance reporting and draws link to financial reporting.

AFOA 7: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPREHENSIVECOMMUNITY PLANNING IN FIRST NATIONSFocuses on best practices and case studies inComprehensive Community Planning (CCP) including itshistory and evolution, indigenous principles and insightsfrom First Nations who have completed the process.

AFOA 8: DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE REMEDIALMANAGEMENT PLAN IN FIRST NATIONSFocusing on the knowledge and techniques needed todevelop a Remedial Management Plan for First Nationcommunities and in so doing help to achieve financialstability and accountability.

AFOA 8: DEVELOPINGANEFFECTIVE REMEDIALMANAGEMENTPLAN IN FIRSTNATIONS COURSE REVISED

In 2010 the Department of Indian & Northern Affairsannounced that it would be revising its Intervention Policydealing with defaults in funding agreements and developingnew tools to support First Nations, including theManagement Action Plan (MAP) which was to replace theRemedial Management Plan (RMP). While details of the newpolicy and tools were not finalized, it was necessary to reflectthe anticipated and pending changes into AFOA’s course onDeveloping an Effective Remedial Management Plan in FirstNations this year.

SIXTYPERCENT INCREASE IN REGISTRATION FORON-LINE COURSES

As a result of successful marketing efforts and strategic part-nerships, 166 students registered for the 2010 Fall semesterand 157 students registered for the 2011 Winter semester fora total of 334 students enrolled in courses this fiscal year. This represents a record high and an increase of 60% overthe previous year.

PARTNERSHIP LEADSTOOVER 180 NATIVEWOMENREGISTERING IN COURSES

AFOA entered into a special partnership agreement with theNative Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) in 2009/2010that saw 183 native women students enrolling in both AFMand Public Administrator courses over this fiscal year.

A part of NWAC’s Building the Spirit initiative, this agreementis an effort by NWAC to assist Aboriginal women in gainingemployment or enhanced employment status in theAboriginal financial management field. It is anticipated thatNWAC will enter into a similar agreement with AFOA goingforward into 2011/2012.

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AFOA EDUCATION PROGRAMS

FIRSTARTICULATIONAGREEMENT SIGNEDWITHCANADIANUNIVERSITY

In November 2010, AFOA signed an unprecedented articula-tion agreement with the Edwards School of Business,University of Saskatchewan (U of S). This agreement is thefirst AFOA has negotiated with a university which gives students with an AFM diploma from the AFOA the option ofentering a degree program with advanced standing. Thosewith an AFM diploma can now enter the BComm program at the Edwards School of Business with advanced standing,meaning it will take them less time to finish their BCommdegree.

A joint press release was issued and over 150 attended theformal signing ceremony in Saskatoon at the AFOASaskatchewan Chapter conference, including the Minister of Advanced Education for Saskatchewan.

NUMBEROF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONSOFFERINGAFM PROGRAMSCONTINUESTO INCREASE

Two new agreements were signed this year between AFOAand colleges and universities for a total of eight institutionsoffering AFM courses across Canada.

In November 2010, an MOU was signed with the UniversityCollege of the North (UCN) in The Pas, Manitoba whichallows UCN to offer the AFM courses as part of their BusinessAdministration Program as well as feed into their Bachelor ofBusiness Administration Degree program.

In November 2010, an MOU and services agreement wassigned with Centennial College in Toronto enabling theCollege to carry the AFM courses in two Aboriginal businessrelated programs.

AFOA now has agreements with eight educational institutions:

ALGONQUIN COLLEGE, ONCENTENNIAL COLLEGE, ON COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES, BCSASKATCHEWAN INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGIES, SKSCHOOL OF COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT, NTUNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE NORTH, MBUNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN ESB, SKYELLOWQUILL COLLEGE, MB

Through these agreements, AFOA trains an additional 50 students over and above our on-line courses education pro-gram. As a result of a new partnership development policy,we were also able to generate additional revenue as a resultof revised revenue sharing arrangements.

AFOA also held discussions with and is in the process of formalizing agreements with: Confederation College, ON;Cape Breton University, NS; Nova Scotia Community College;University of New Brunswick; Canadore College, ON;Nipissing University, ON; and Assiniboine CommunityCollege, MB.

University of Saskatchewan, from left to right: Dana Soonias, CAFM, Chair of theBoard of Directors, AFOA Canada, Nola Buhr, CA, Daphne Taras, Dean, Universityof Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business, Honourable Rob Norris, Minister ofAdvanced Education in the Province of Saskatchewan, Jody Warnes, EducationProgram Manager AFOA Canada)

University College of the North, from left to right: Ernie Daniels, CGA, CAFM, President and COO AFOA Canada, Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle, CAFM, Dean Faculty of Business UCN - Faculty of Business, Kathryn McNaughton, Vice President, Academic Research University College of the North

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AFOA ON-LINE COURSEINSTRUCTOR FACULTY

Our on-line courses are instruct -ed by a faculty of respected anddedicated instructors. We wouldlike to thank these individualswho offer their support to stu-dents in the interests of enhancingAboriginal financial manage mentin Canada. They are:

AFM 3: BUSINESS LAWDella Anaquod, Dean of BasicEducation, SaskatchewanInstitute of Applied Scienceand Technology

AFM 4: STRATEGY & DECISIONSJim Pealow, CAFM, MBA, CMA,CMC, Managing Partner,Association Management,Consultation & Evaluation Services (AMCES)

AFM 5: VALUES & ETHICS IN THEABORIGINALWORKPLACE

Jennifer Young, MA, CMC,CAFM, Nestu’et ManagementConsulting

AFM 6: ABORIGINAL HISTORY & DEVELOPMENTS

Tina Dewache, ConsultantAFM 14: ABORIGINAL HUMAN & FISCAL ISSUES

Lynn Anderson, CGA, CAFM,Manager of Budgets &Accounting, Namgis FirstNation

AFOA 1: COMMUNITY ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT

Michael Pealow, Consultant

AFOA 2:ABORIGINAL MANAGEMENTPRACTICES PART 1 and

AFOA 4: ABORIGINALMANAGEMENT PRACTICESPART 2Jackie Coulter, CAFM, JacsalynEnterprises, Consulting

AFOA 3: ABORIGINAL PROGRAMMANAGEMENT

Jim Pealow, CAFM, MBA, CMA,CMC, Managing Partner,Association Management,Consultation & EvaluationServices (AMCES)

CAFM PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONANDEXAMINATIONPREPARATIONWORKSHOP

The CAFM Professional Examination is an integral component of the CAFM designationprocess, and attendance at the Examination Preparation Workshop is key to ensuring acandidate’s success in the Examination.

CAFM EXAMINATION

This year the Exam was written twice – July 5, 2010 and November 15, 2010. Eleven challenged the Exam and six passed.

AFOA would like to thank the following CAFMs who volunteered their services to markCAFM Exams this year:

Lynn Anderson, CGA, CAFMJohn Carter, CD, MBA, FCGA, CAFMJoanne Contant, CGA, CAFMTammy Drew, CGA, CAFMTerese McIlmoyl, CMA, CAFMJim Prodger, CAFMPeter Pynacker, CA, CAFMPeter Tumilty, CGA, MBA, BBA, CAFM

EXAMPREPARATIONWORKSHOP

The three day ExamPreparation Workshophelps candidates challenge the CAFMExamination success-fully.

The workshop isdesigned to enable participants to:

• Understand effectivestudying practices for exams

• Learn about study tips, learner types, dealing with stress and approaches to a varietyof different question types

• Understand the competencies and curriculum the exam will cover, along with learning objectives, sources and content summaries

• Write a practice exam• Receive special coaching and direction on selected topics

AFOA would like to thank CAFMs John Carter and Joanne Contant for providing theirservices as Exam Preparation Facilitators in 2010-2011.

ENHANCEMENTSMADETOCAFM EXAMINATIONAND EXAMINATION PREPARATIONWORKSHOP

This year AFOA worked closely with the Certified General Accountants Association ofCanada (CGA-C) to identify the content in the Exam and the corresponding trainingmaterial in the Preparation Workshop that required to be updated and/or enhanced toensure that recent changes in CGA educational programs are reflected. This includedenhancing course summaries and explanation of formulae, provision of additionalreview questions, and, where available, glossaries of key terms for the eight CGA coursescurrently included in the CAFM Exam Review and Preparation Binder, and addition of anew unit related to the CGA Economics course.

These changes will be implemented in October 2011.

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AFOA EDUCATION PROGRAMS

AFOA DEVELOPINGPRIOR LEARNINGASSESSMENT ANDRECOGNITION (PLAR) FRAMEWORKTOENHANCE CAFM CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

AFOA Canada has made significant strides this year to gain a better under-standing of how the Association can implement Prior Learning Assessment andRecognition (PLAR) principles in our current practices to enhance the mannerin which a CAFM applicant’s competencies are assessed. PLAR refers to theevaluation and acknowledgment of learning that occurs through formal andinformal learning, training and educational programs.

Implementing PLAR principles to the assessment of CAFM applicant’s applyingunder special arrangements that rely on experience as well as education willprovide additional rigour and objectivity to the assessment process.

VALUETOTHE LEARNER

• Encourages learners to pursue education by increasing access points.• Validates appropriate learning gained through work and life experiences. • Decreases duplication of learning. • Identifies areas of competence and areas requiring further study. • Increases self-esteem and Identifies strengths.

VALUETOAFOA CANADA

• Increases CAFM recruitment and retention. • Enhances integrity and credibility of the CAFM designation.• Provides an objective and quantifiable process for assessing CAFMs.• Enhances the image of AFOA Canada (i.e. flexible and responsive to change). • Allows for more appropriate learner placement in CAFM program. • Increases accessibility to a broad range of learners. • Provides an important service for the Aboriginal community and businesses.

The purpose of certification is to identify individuals who meet a specifiedstandard that defines competence in an occupation. AFOA Canada recognizesthat the competencies acquired by CAFMs are acquired not only through for-mally recognized learning but also outside of the classroom through experi-ence and other non-formal learning experiences. By developing and followingPLAR principles, CAFM candidates will be assessed through a process which istransparent, fair and accurate – one that can be verified in an objective mannerby technical assessors while also encouraging additional learning.

AFOA Canada has developed an approach where applicants would be assessedat three different levels including assessment by AFOA, by the applicant and bya third party.

Further refinement of the CAFM PLAR framework and principles will continuein 2011/2012, in conjunction with development of similar processes for theCertified Aboriginal Public Administrator Certification Program.

Learning Gap

identificationOpportunity

for applicants

CAFM Designation

ApplicationProcess

AFOA implementingPLAR princi-ples and evaluation

{ }

MEMBERSHIP

As at March 31, 2011 AFOA had 1,679 members, 99 morethan at March 31, 2010, representing a 6.3% increase.

MEMBERSHIP BYCHAPTER AND/ORPROVINCE/TERRITORY

The charts below depict the geographical distribution ofAFOA Members by Chapter and/or Province/Territory.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

This year AFOA continued its efforts to enhance memberservices and benefits. Member benefits include:

• exclusive access to the Members’ Only section atwww.afoa.ca

• A knowledge library of professional developmentresources, databases, best practices, toolkits, case studies

• Discussion forums focusing on professional subject areas • Career centre

• receipt of and/or discount on AFOA publications, researchoutputs and resources

• opportunity to input into AFOA programs and servicesthrough surveys

• opportunity to participate in professionaldevelopment/training workshops

• significant discounts on on-line learning• membership identification cards• membership rates for AFOA’s National Conference and

regional workshops• receipt of newsletter and E-Bulletins• receipt of JAM: The Journal of Aboriginal Management• opportunities to network with other professionals

involved with finance and management• affinity member benefits such as car rental discounts,

reduced hotel rates, etc.

MembershipandMembershipServices

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16081562

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13991367

APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR

1700

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115001500150015001500

114001400140014001400

113001300130013001300

120012001200

Int’l YT NU QC NT Corp ATL SK ON MB BC AB0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

22222222 292929 3737737 47 62 7070

212250

275275275 283283283

3903990390

13

14

MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

AFFINITY PROGRAM

AFOA has negotiated affinity programs with key suppliers onbehalf of members as a memberbenefit. The affinity program offersdiscounted pricing on a widerange of services and products.

There are currently 38 Affinity Program Partners including:

ABENAKI ASSOCIATESABORIGINAL CONFERENCINGABORIGINAL LINK

TELECOMMUNICATIONSACCUTEL INC.A.D. MORRISON & ASSOCIATESADAGIO BY SOFTRAKADP PAYROLL SERVICESAIS BY ADVANCED

DATASYSTEMS LTD. AVIS CAR RENTALBELL CONFERENCING SOLUTIONSCG HYLTON & ASSOCIATESCINUP CUSTOM EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKDELTA HOTEL & SUITESENTERPRISE RENT-A-CARFIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADAFREEDOM 55 FINANCIALFTD FLORALHERTZHIGGINS INTERNATIONALINTERCONTINENTAL

HOTEL GROUPSLIFE BENEFIT SOLUTIONS INC. MANY NATIONS FINANCIAL

SERVICES LTD.MARRIOTT HOTEL & RESORTSMARSH CANADA LTD.MOMENTUM CONFERENCING

CORPORATIONNATIONAL/ALAMO CAR RENTALNEBS DELUXEPINPOINT PACRIM HOSPITALITY SERVICES

INC. PARK’N FLYPRO-FORMA PLUSSILVERBIRCH HOTELS & RESORTSTHRIFTY CAR RENTALTOBACCO HEALING CENTREUNIGLOBE BONVOYAGE TRAVELWESTMONT HOSPITALITY GROUPWILLIAM SQUIBB & ASSOCIATESXYNTAX SYSTEMS

AFOA CORPORATEMEMBERSHIP ANDCORPORATE RELATIONS STRATEGY

AFOA is now in its second year of an ambitious Corporate Relations strategy to buildAFOA’s profile with Corporate Canada, increase partnerships and build corporate sup-port. Last year AFOA developed a new Corporate Membership package with the inputof a Corporate Members Council. The package represents a comprehensive integrated approach to both securingcorporate support for AFOA activities and meeting the corporation’s business objectives.

Throughout the past year we have seen our efforts withCorporate Canada translate into increased corporatemembers, unprecedented partnerships on capacity building projects, and more involvement by corporations in AFOA programs.

Conference corporate sponsorship exceeded projectionsby $40,000 in 2010-2011 as a result of these efforts and a total of six new Corporate members were secured.

This year project funding was received from a corporatemember for the first time in AFOA`s history. TD Bankfunded the development of a Youth financial literacy program “Dollars & Sense: Guidance for Aboriginal Youth” (see page 23 in this Annual Report).AFOA also received commitment from TD Bank and TE Wealth to provide in-kind con-tribution to the development of a new primer publication and workshop on “EffectiveCreation and Management of Trust Structures” which will be developed in 2011/2012.

BMO has committed to putting approximately 60 of their staff through the CAFM program over the next two years. A video was produced for BMO employees to promote the CAFM designation.

In another first, Potash Corporation was a major sponsor at the National Conferencethis year joining Conoco Phillips as the first two resource companies to take an activerole in sponsoring the Conference.

AFOA had 36 corporate members at March 31, 2011:

ABENAKI ASSOCIATESABORIGINAL LINKABORIGINAL STRATEGIES LLPADAGIO BY SOFTRAK INCADVANCED DATASYSTEMS LTD.BANK OFMONTREALBDO DUNWOODY LLPCANADIAN ASSOCIATION OFMUNICIPAL

ADMINISTRATORSCGA CANADACONOCOPHILLIPS CANADADELOITTE LLPDENENDEH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONFIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADAFIRST NATIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

BOARDFIRST NATIONS INSURANCE SERVICES LTD.FIRST NATIONSMARKET HOUSING FUNDGENUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENTGOWLING LAFLEUR HENDERSON LLP

HIGGINS INTERNATIONAL INC.IMI BROKERAGE COMPANY LTDIWI CONSULTING GROUPMANY NATIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD.MEMBERTOU FIRST NATIONMEYERS NORRIS PENNY LLPMGI FINANCIAL INC.NEW RELATIONSHIP TRUSTPACIFIC & WESTERN BANK OF CANADAPWC MANAGEMENT SERVICES LPROYAL BANK OF CANADASCOTIABANKT.E. WEALTHTAX RECOVERY GROUP (FIRST NATIONS)

INC.TD BANK GROUPTRANZTEC LLC, INCWILLIAM SQUIBB & ASSOCIATESXEROX CANADA LTD.

AFOA’s 11th Annual Conference was held in Vancouver from February 15 to 17, 2011. While

last year the Conference focused on the successes ofthe previous decade, this year’s conference themetargeted the challenges in the decade ahead -“Nation Building – Keys to Success for the Next Decade”.

Over 1100 attended the conference – an unprece-dented record.

The program centered around two critical successfactors for Nation Building. One – creating a profes-sional, effective Aboriginal public service to supportgovernments and provide necessary services to community members. And, two – building a cadre of competent business leaders to take the reins ofeconomic development and participate in the economic engine of the country.

One of the most significant challenges that we faceis the lack of competent, trained Aboriginal financialand management professionals - people that canform the nucleus of our government’s public service- people that can take advantage of the increasingopportunities for wealth creation and private sectorpartnerships - people that can lead the corporationsand industries that will fuel our economy. It is thesepeople that will be the foundation of Nation build-ing. The conference program focused on strategiesthat can be employed to fill this need and how wecan recruit, educate and retain a professional work-force to support our governments and economies.

The Conference was co-chaired by Deanna Hamilton,Deputy Chair, President/CEO, First Nations FinanceAuthority and Brian Titus, CAFM, Chief Executive Offi-cer, Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation.

The Conference’s opening plenary set the stage forthe program with a distinguished round table of sen-ior Aboriginal leaders who discussed issues critical to Building a Strong Aboriginal Public Service. TheHonourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor ofBritish Columbia was the special luncheon guest atwhich the AFOA-Meyers Norris Penny Aboriginal YouthAwards were granted. The opening plenary on thesecond day was presented in two parts. Part one fea-tured Canada’s most prominent Aboriginal businessentrepreneur David Tuccaro who spoke about howto effectively nurture Aboriginal business leaders.Part two featured Roberta Jamieson, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the National Aboriginal AchievementFoundation, who addressed how to meet the greatestchallenge to nation building – educating our youth.

The Conference concluded with a Banquet, the CAFMConvocation Ceremony and presentation of the AFOA–Xerox Excellence in Leadership Award followed by aperformance by Bitterly Divine from Squamish Nation.

“The conference was terrific and I am lookingforward to reading through the presentations. There were so many good sessions, it was difficult deciding which ones to attend.”CATHIEATKINS, CA, CAFM

11thANNUALNational Conference

15

16

11TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP

Conference sponsors play an important role for AFOA. Without their support, the Conference would not be possible. These companies make a valuable contribution to Aboriginal finance and management in this country and,make a significant contribution to the enhancement of the quality of life among Aboriginal peoples. This year’ssponsors were:

AON, ABORIGINAL SERVICES GROUPABENAKI ASSOCIATESABORIGINAL LINKBDO CANADA LLPBMO BANK OFMONTREALCANADAMORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATIONCONOCOPHILLIPS CANADA LIMITEDFIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADAFIRST NATIONSMARKET HOUSING FUNDGOVERNMENT OF CANADAGRANT THORNTON LLPKWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITYMANY NATIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD.MEYERS NORRIS PENNY LLPPOTASH CORPORATIONRBC ROYAL BANKSCOTIABANKTD BANK GROUPT.E. WEALTHXEROX CANADAXYNTAX SYSTEMS

PRE-CONFERENCEWORKSHOPS

As an integral lead-up to the conference, and for the thirdyear, AFOA offered five pre-conference workshops on:

• Performance Measurement & Reporting in First Nations• Developing an Effective Remedial Management Plan in First Nations

• An Introduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations

• Values & Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace• Strategic Planning in First Nations• An Introduction to Economic Development.

“2011 Conference was the first Nationalfor me! It was super! Brought back lotsof information to the First Nationcommunity!”LINDAUCHACZ(ONAFOA FACEBOOK)

EIGHTHAFOA CANADA – XEROXCANADAEXCELLENCE IN ABORIGINAL LEADERSHIPAWARD

The 8th Annual Xerox Canada-AFOA Excellence in AboriginalLeadership Awards were presented to two winners at AFOA’sNational Conference in February 2011.

The Leadership Award is an initiative of AFOA and XeroxCanada. The Award is the result of a special partnershipbetween Xerox Canada and AFOA to enhance the quality ofleadership in financial management. The Award recognizesindividuals who have demonstrated commitment and lead-ership in financial management in Aboriginal communitiesand organizations.

There are two categories for nominations for the AFOA-Xerox Excellence in Leadership Award. The National categoryrecognizes individuals who have contributed to theAboriginal financial management profession on a national orinstitutional level. The Regional category recognizes thoseindividuals who have made their contributions at theregional, local or community level.

The recipients for the 8th year of the award are TerryGoodtrack, Chief Operating Officer, Aboriginal HealingFoundation (National), and Alana Dixon, Administrator,Canim Lake Band, British Columbia (Regional).

“The Developing an Effective Remedial Management Planworkshop was very educating and well delivered with concrete examples.”RIA LETCHER

AFOA

Programs,Research andCapacityDevelopment

17

From left to right: Garet Myden, Xerox Canada, Terry Goodtrack, Alana Dixon,Ernie Daniels

18

AFOA PROGRAMS, RESEARCH AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

JAM: THE JOURNALOFABORIGINALMANAGEMENT

JAM is the only professional journal for Aboriginal manage-ment in Canada. It provides information on professionaltrends and innovations in Aboriginal management, interviewswith leaders, and articles from national and regional experts,profiles of community based projects and initiatives and information on professional development resources.

This year AFOA published a September 2010 and a February2011 edition of JAM. Key articles included:

• Building an Aboriginal Public Service• The Canadian Human Rights Act and First Nation

Communities• Shaping a Better Yukon First Nations’ Public Service• Traditional Knowledge in the Boardroom• First Nations Governance – What Does the Future Hold?• Emergency Management on a First Nation• Nisga’a Nation Quality of Life Strategy• First Nations Finance – A Changing Landscape

AFOA CAPACITYDEVELOPMENTWORKSHOPS

TWONEWWORKSHOPSDEVELOPED FOR ELECTEDABORIGINAL LEADERS

This year saw the development of two new capacity develop-ment workshops and accompanying publications aimed atelected leaders.

Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders - Understanding financial reporting and information is one of the key chal-lenges facing elected officials in First Nations. This one dayworkshop and publication is intended to help them meet thatchallenge. It covers two basic areas: Building financial literacyand developing financial capacity.

The Politics of Ethical Decision-Making – This two day workshopand publication focuses on: what are ethics, values and morals and how do they differ;unique ethical situations faced by elected officials; methods of regulating ethical behavior; Codes of Ethics; ethics in the Aboriginal setting and ethical dilemmas.

Both workshops will be delivered in 2011/2012.

OVER300 TRAINEDATAFOA WORKSHOPS IN 2010-2011

In 2010-2011 AFOA delivered a total of 17 scheduled and 4 community workshopsacross Canada at which 366 individuals participated. The workshops focused on:

• Performance Measurement & Reporting in First Nations • Developing an Effective Remedial Management Plan in First Nations • An Introduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations • Values & Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace• Strategic Planning in First Nations• An Introduction to Economic Development (NEW)

A total of 303 participated in the scheduled workshops and another 63 participated incommunity workshops.

“TheValues and Ethics in the AboriginalWorkplaceworkshopwas a very inform-ative and practicalworkshop. I will beable to immediatelyutilize some of whatwas shared.”JANICEC.HILL

19

CAPACITYDEVELOPMENT FORMÉTIS ANDURBANABORIGINAL PEOPLE

In 2010-2011 AFOA began providing capacity developmentto Métis and Urban Aboriginals at the request of the Officeof the Federal Interlocutor (OFI).

The OFI is the Federal Department that facilitates federalprograms and services for Métis, Non-Status Indians andurban Aboriginal people. It is responsible for theGovernment of Canada’s relationship with nationalAboriginal organizations that represent Métis, Non-StatusIndians and urban Aboriginal people, including the Congressof Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and the Métis National Council,as well as coordinating the government’s Urban AboriginalStrategy.

The OFI requested that AFOA develop and deliver two 2-dayworkshops and related material on effective financial andreporting practices for their Métis and CAP clients to enablethese organizations to enhance their financial managementand reporting practices.

The workshops were delivered in Ottawa in March 2011 to atotal of 33 participants.

This represents a significant basis for going forward withcontinued training on financial management and reportingto Métis organizations.

SIX INFORMATIONSESSIONHELDON INAC’SFUNDINGAGREEMENTMANAGEMENT

In July and August 2010, AFOA held six information sessionsin Vancouver, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Montreal, Halifax andOttawa to provide information and get feedback on pro-posed revisions to the Department of Indian & NorthernAffairs (INAC) Intervention policy. This policy outlines theactions that INAC and funding recipients must take toensure any defaults of terms and conditions in the fundingagreement are addressed and the delivery of programs andservices under the agreements are protected. The new policyincludes new assessment tools to measure a recipient’scapacity to meet the terms and conditions of their agree-ments.

Close to 600 attended. AFOA provided a detailed report toINAC on the feedback received.

CAPACITYDEVELOPMENT FOR FIRSTNATIONSENTERING INTOPROPERTYTAXATION

Last year AFOA completed a project for the First NationsFinancial Management Board (FNFMB) to develop an on-linecourse that will provide First Nations administrative staffwith the knowledge they need on the First Nations Fiscaland Statistical Management Act (FSMA), the FNFMB FinancialAdministration Law and FNFMB Certification standards andprocedures, and support and enhance the capacity of FirstNations to successfully enter into property taxation and intothe First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) borrowing pool.The course was piloted in October 2009 with fourteen students registered.

A second course offering was held July to October 2010 with15 students registered.

20

AFOA PROGRAMS, RESEARCH AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

THECERTIFIEDABORIGINAL PUBLICADMINISTRATOR(CAPA) PROGRAM

This year AFOA completed Phase One of the development ofa Certified Aboriginal Public Administrators (CAPA) certifica-tion and education program (See Annual Report 2008-2009and 2009-2010.) Key accomplishments for Phase Oneinclude:

CAPA project manager and CAPA Project Assistant hiredA project manager and project assistant were recruited andhired to manage the development of the CAPA program.

CAPA competencies identified. These are the specific pro-fessional competencies and skill sets required of AboriginalPublic Administrators – the knowledge, skills and attitudesidentified as critical for an Aboriginal Public Administrator toperform his/her duties effectively and efficiently. AFOA hasconsulted with Aboriginal administrators across Canada inthe development of the competencies, and has receivedoverwhelmingly positive feedback on the competencymodel that has been developed. The model is based on themedicine wheel concept that reflects the cultural values ofmany Aboriginals across Canada. There are four Competency“clusters” and twenty Competency domains.

Potential courses have been identified to be included inthe CAPA Educational Program. These courses are a com-bination of 1) content from existing courses offered by eitherAFOA or another organization; 2) those that can be accessedthrough articulation agreements with educational institu-tions, and 3) courses for which content needs to be developed in Phase II.

Ethical standards that will govern the profession havebeen developed. These ethical standards reinforce thecommitment a CAPA must have to the people they serve, the community and society as well as their profession.

Certification standards and a Prior Learning Assessmentand Recognition (PLAR) Self-Evaluation framework havebeen developed. These standards will ensure that the certi-fication process is rigourous while confirming the skills andcompetencies that Aboriginal communities require. PriorLearning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a key com-ponent of the certification standards. AFOA has developed aPLAR self-evaluation framework to support this process.

Maintenance of Certification Standards have been developed. These standards will ensure that CAPAs areaware of the current best practices and emerging manage-ment issues in Aboriginal communities.

A Strategy for engagement of post-secondary institu-tions has been developed and partnerships with post-secondary institutions have been established.A strategy targeting post-secondary institutions acrossCanada has been developed and implementation hasbegun. AFOA has established relationships with post-sec-ondary institutions across Canada to prepare for articulationagreements to ensure that the CAPA program can be delivered nationally.

New partnerships have been developed with organiza-tions committed to the practice of public administrationin Canada. They are: the Yukon First Nations Public ServiceInitiative; the BC First Nations Public Service Strategy; theCanadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA);Canada School of Public Service; the Institute of PublicAdministration of Canada (IPAC).

Phase two of the program will continue in 2011/2012 andwill focus on: 1) Finalizing the CAPA Education Program that CAPAs must complete to receive their designation. 2) Developing content of new courses 3) Further developingrelationships with partner educational institutions and pur-suing articulation agreements; 4) Augmenting the CAPACertification Standards by developing a Prior LearningAssessment and Recognition (PLAR) program tailored toCAPA, and 5) Building on partnerships established in Phase One.

WestFiscal and Management Competencies

EastEthical and

PersonalCompetencies

SouthEmotional and Relationship

Competencies

COMPETENCIES

NorthIntellectual and

Leadership Competencies

AFOA

YouthInitiatives

21

AFOA- MEYERSNORRIS PENNYABORIGINALYOUTH FINANCIALMANAGEMENTCONFERENCEAWARDS

AFOA granted the fifth Aboriginal Youth Financial Management ConferenceAwards this year to three highly deserving young Aboriginals.

The Aboriginal Youth Financial Management Conference Awards is a highlysuccessful youth initiative that AFOA embarked on in 2006/2007. This yearAFOA received a three year commitment from the firm Meyers NorrisPenny to partner with AFOA Canada and support the Awards.

There is a great demand in Aboriginal communities and organizations forfinancial management professionals. Many of AFOA’s members struggle to find new competent people to fill key positions in their administration.There are also many opportunities for those who want to pursue thiscareer path and many sources of assistance. Ironically however, there arevery few of our young people pursuing an education in financial manage-ment. If our youth do not follow us into these professions, then we will suffer the consequences.

That is why the AFOA introduced the Aboriginal Youth Financial ManagementConference Awards. Young Aboriginals in grades 10 to 12 from acrossCanada submit an essay and teacher testimonials to win this Award.

This year three young people were flown to Vancouver to participate in aspecial Youth Program at the Conference. This included a tour ofVancouver’s attractions, an introduction to opportunities in Aboriginalfinancial management as a career, and a special youth session designed todevelop leadership skills.

The winners of the 2011 Aboriginal Youth Financial ManagementConference Awards were:

Justin EdwardsKildonan-East Collegiate, Winnipeg, MB

Nicole Jacko-MetansinineWasse Abin High School, Wikwemikong, ON

Kiinnan Stevenson-FrenchPeguis Central School, Peguis, MB

The winners’ essays were reproduced in a special commemorative booklet.This was distributed to all Conference delegates at a special Luncheon inhonour of the Youth Awards at which the young people read from theiressays.

From left to right: Nicole Jacko-Metansinine, KiinnanStevenson-French, The Honourable Steven L. Point,Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Justin Edwards

22

AFOA YOUTH INITIATIVES

NORMANTAYLORMEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

One of the ways AFOA is supporting Aboriginal youth andencouraging them to enter into the financial managementprofession is through theNorman Taylor MemorialScholarship Program. Norman Taylor was a member of theUcluelet First Nation. He was one of the founding membersof AFOA BC and was instrumental in the formation of AFOACanada.

There are two components to the Scholarship: 1) Profes -sional Development component whereby scholarships areawarded to candidates who wish to take AFOA’s AFM orPublic Administrator courses, or wish to attend the nationalconference. 2) CAFM component where scholarships areawarded to candidates who wish to pursue the full AFM pro-gram towards the CAFM designation (under development).

Recipients of the Scholarships this year were:

On-line Course ScholarshipsSimone Craig Monetville, Ontario Marsha Hall Golden Lake First Nation, Ontario

National Conference ScholarshipsRhonda Kirkness Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba Annette Marshall The Chippewas of the Thames First

Nation, Ontario

BUILDINGTHEABORIGINAL FINANCIAL PROFESSION

ANABORIGINAL FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALRECRUITMENTSTRATEGY

Many Canadian corporations, as well as professional associa-tions like CGA Canada, share a common challenge – theneed to attract Aboriginal youth into the financial profes-sion. One of AFOA’s key mandates is also to encourageAboriginals to enter into the financial profession. This is agoal that we believe will benefit Aboriginal communities,Corporate Canada and Canada as a whole.

The existing pool of Aboriginals pursuing a career in financeis not sufficient to meet these goals. If we are to encourageAboriginal youth to pursue education in the finance field –whether through a professional accounting designation or auniversity/college degree - then we need to “build the stockof future Aboriginal financial leaders and managers”.

Last year AFOA invited Canada’s major financial andaccounting institutions to work with us to build a new gen-eration of Aboriginal financial leaders by participating in anAboriginal Professional Recruitment Task Force and develop-ing a long term plan, under the auspice of AFOA Canada, tobuild interest among Aboriginal youth to pursue educationand enter into the financial profession.

This year saw considerable progress with this initiative. At a meeting held on April 15, 2010, Task Force membersheld a round table to discuss key elements that should beconsidered in a draft framework for this strategy, along withrecruitment challenges and Aboriginal barriers. A draft strategy and blueprint were subsequently developed andpresented to the Task Force for discussion in October 2010.

Strategies identified include:

STRATEGY1 Increase number of Aboriginal youth andadults interested in a career in finance

• Change perception of and generate interest in career • Provide information on financial literacy and on finance

management as subject in schools• Generate awareness and excitement in venues outside

schools

STRATEGY2 Facilitate, enable and provide necessary support for those pursuing an education in financial field

• Provide financial support and incentive where needed• Provide accessible information on education path

required and on relevant post-secondary institutions ineach region

• Mentorship

23

STRATEGY3 Facilitate, enable and provide necessary support for transition to employment positions

• Internships/Fellowships/Mentorship• Increase industry presence in communities• Address cultural barriers to employment in urban centre• Provide easy access to employment opportunities in

finance available/targeted to Aboriginals• Partnership with post-secondary institutions

AFOA is currently seeking funding to implement this strat-egy in 2011/2012 through the Skills and Partnership Fundwith Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Represented on the Task Force are:

BDO CANADABMO BANK OFMONTREALCGA CANADADELOITTEERNST & YOUNGFIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADAKPMG LLPMEYERS NORRIS PENNY LLPPEACE HILLS TRUSTPWC MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLPROYAL BANK OF CANADASCOTIABANKTD BANK FINANCIAL GROUP

A FOCUSONFINANCIAL LITERACY

DOLLARS& SENSE – GUIDANCEFORABORIGINALYOUTH

AFOA has taken the first stepthis year in realizing theAboriginal Financial ProfessionalRecruitment Strategy describedabove. With the financial support of TD Bank we havedeveloped an interactiveAboriginal youth-friendlypresentation to helpAboriginal youth:

• gain appreciation of theimportance of financialliteracy in their day to daylives, and in their future

• understand the basic principles of effective money management, including budgeting, saving, consumerawareness and banking

• begin to understand the impacts of good and bad financial management practices in their community onthemselves and their family

• get a sense of the career opportunities that are availablein finance and other professions

The presentation material, including a Youth Manual, aFacilitator’s Manual and related videos, will be available to all members, corporate partners and Chapters to enablethem to give the presentation to Aboriginal students in highschools in communities across the country in 2011/2012.

PARTICIPATION IN CAREER FAIRS

AFOA staff participated in a number of career fairs promotingthe CAFM designation as a career choice including theNational Aboriginal Achievement Foundations (NAAF)’sBlueprint for the Future Career Fairs in Edmonton in October2010.

AFOA

Communications

24

ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

PRESENTATIONSANDPARTICIPATION INCONFERENCES

The Association participated as a speakerand/or exhibitor in the following conferences in2010-2011:

• Aboriginal Human Resource Council (AHRC)Conference “Inclusion Works”, Toronto, April,2010

• AFOA Alberta & BC Joint Conference, Osoyoos, BC, June 2010

• AFOA NWT Chapter AGM, Yellowknife, NWT,June 2010

• Assembly of First Nations Annual GeneralMeeting, Winnipeg, MB, July 2010

• AFOA Atlantic AGM and Conference, Moncton, NB, October, 2010

• AFOA Saskatchewan AGM & Conference,November 2010, Saskatoon, SK

• AFOA Manitoba AGM & Conference, November 2010, Winnipeg MB

• AFOA BC AGM & Conference, December 2010• AFOA Alberta Band Managers Conference,

December 2010• Native American Finance Officers Association

(NAFOA) Conference, San Diego, CA, March2011

MEDIA EXPOSURE

AFOA was fortunate to have been featured inthe a number of media vehicles this year includ-ing: Windspeaker, Nation Talk, the AssociationMagazine published by the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), SAY Magazine,and CGA Magazine published by CGA Canada.

We were the feature article in CSAE’sAssociation Magazine which also highlightedAFOA in its editorial as an Association that is“getting it right”. “With its huge success”, thearticle begins,“ the Aboriginal Financial OfficersAssociation of Canada serves as a shining exam-ple of excellence in the not for profit sector”.

MEMBERCOMMUNICATIONS ANDSOCIALNETWORKINGTOOLS

AFOA continued to increase its communicationswith members in 2010-2011 – over 100 E-Bulletins were issued to members and to over6,000 other stakeholders throughout the year.

This year AFOA began to engage the social networking tools Facebook and Twitter withimpressive results.

“While not-for-profit groups across the country battle shrinking budgets, volunteer apathy and dwindling

membership, the AFOA has been soaring skyward

with one success after another.”

CANADIANSOCIETY OFASSOCIATIONEXECUTIVES

25

AFOA Canada continued this year to strengthen existing partner-ships and forge important new relationships with organizations

and institutions with complementary objectives.

ASSEMBLYOF FIRSTNATIONS (AFN)In an inaugural initiative this year, AFOA entered into an agreementwith AFN to deliver capacity development workshops in conjunctionwith the AFN Assembly. The National Chief endorsed the workshopsand delivered opening remarks emphasizing the importance of capa -city development. In another first, AFOA was invited to deliver presen-tations at an AFN Policy Forum on “Effective Public Administration:Developing a Strong First Nations Public Service” in November 2010,and at a Special Chief’s Assembly in December 2010. The AFN remainsa strong supporter of AFOA and its activities.

CANADIANASSOCIATIONOFMUNICIPALADMINISTRATORS (CAMA)A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with CAMA at the AFOANational Conference in February 2011. This MOU will facilitate dialoguebetween AFOA’s members and those of CAMA to share best practicesand look for areas of possible collaboration as AFOA moves forwardwith the CAPA program. CAMA also provided an article that was featured the fall issue of JAM.

CERTIFIEDGENERALACCOUNTANTS’ ASSOCIATIONOFCANADA (CGA-C)CGA Canada’s partnership with AFOA has been instrumental in AFOA’sdevelopment and the development of the CAFM designation. Five percent of AFOA members hold the CGA designation. Each year AFOAholds a meeting with CGA Canada representatives to explore furtheropportunities to enhance the relationship.

Milestones of the relationship include:

• AFOA worked closely with CGA Canada to develop the AboriginalFinancial Management (AFM) educational program the following year.

• CGA Canada assisted AFOA in developing the Certified AboriginalFinancial Management Examination bringing valuable credibilityand integrity to the Examination process.

• CGA Canada appoints a member to AFOA’s Board of Directors. The current CGA appointed member is John Carter - a very activeDirector and a valuable addition to our Board.

• In 2007 the AFM program underwent a curriculum review in light ofthe evolving Aboriginal working environment. CGA was representedon the Curriculum Review Committee.

• In 2007, CAFMs granted the designation through the educationalprogram were granted a block transfer into Level 4 of the CGAProfessional Studies Program.

• In 2009, AFOA members were given preferred access to CGA Canada’sProfessional Development Network (PD Net).

Last year AFOA took an important step towards further strengtheningthe relationship between AFOA and CGA. AFOA struck a CAFM-CGACouncil to:

• further develop partnership between AFOA Canada and CGA Canada• facilitate block transfer of CAFMs into Level 4 of CGA Professional

Studies program• ensure AFOA Canada is informed of relevant CGA activities • ensure CGA Canada is informed of relevant AFOA Canada activities

At the Council’s inaugural meeting in March 2010 the Council identi-fied a number of action items to pursue over the next few years.

AFOA

Partnershipand Advocacy

26

AFOA PARTNERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

A follow up meeting was held in June to discusss how tomove forward on these initiatives. As a result, this year anumber of initiatives were undertaken including:

• Representatives of CGA attended and presented at theNational Conference, participated in an information session on how CAFM’s can be become a CGA, explainedthe advance standing process and presented at sessionon CGA’s PD Net;

• CGA contracted to review the CAFM Examination andExamination Preparation Session material to enhance andupdate the CGA content (see above); and

• The AFOA CGA representative Board Member, JohnCarter, was appointed to the CGA Affiliation Council as anon-voting representative.

NATIONALCENTRE FOR FIRSTNATIONSGOVERNANCE(NCFNG)

NCFNG has a two-pronged mandate. First, it supports FirstNations as they seek to implement effective self-governanceand second, it assists First Nations in the further develop-ment of their day-to-day government operations. The Centrealso supports First Nations in their efforts to develop theirjurisdictional authorities.

AFOA signed an MOU with the NCFNG in July 2009 in whichboth organizations agreed to seek ways to work collabora-tively to develop national certification for AboriginalAdministrators and Managers. NCFNG is represented on theCAPA Council and AFOA continues to work with the NCFNGon the CAPA program.

FIRSTNATIONS FINANCIALMANAGEMENTBOARD (FNFMB)

The First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB) isone of the four institutions created through the First NationsFiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) which wentinto effect April 2006. The Act established a framework toprovide First Nation governments with the tools for modernfiscal management available to other local levels of govern-ment. The FNFMB helps First Nations strengthen their financial management systems and provides independentfinancial management assessment services.

AFOA Canada and the FNFMB signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding at the National Conference in February 2011to facilitate further partnership activities to address thecapacity needs of First Nations as they develop economicdevelopment opportunities with access to cost-effectivelong term financing. In addition to developing and deliver-ing a course for FNFMB (see above), AFOA helped administera special workshop, in same format as AFOA’s pre-confer-ence workshops, for potential clients of FNFMB.

The FNFMB is managed by a Board of Directors – three ofwhich are appointed by AFOA Canada as dictated by legisla-tion. The other five Directors of the Board are appointed bythe Government of Canada through the Governor in Council.AFOA’s appointments to the Board during 2010-2011 were:Donna Morin, Marilyn Osecap and Romeo Crow Chief.

FEDERALGOVERNMENTOFCANADA

AFOA continues to foster effective relations with the FederalGovernment of Canada and the Department of Indian &Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Efforts have resulted inincreased core funding for AFOA operations and additionalfunding for special projects.

We have also made significant effort to participate and havean impact on government initiatives affecting Aboriginalmanagement and governance nationally. This included:

Evaluation of INAC’s Intervention Policy The evaluation ofINAC’s Intervention Policy was completed during this year.The objectives of this evaluation were to assess the rele-vance, design, delivery, success, and cost-effectiveness andalternatives to the policy. At the time of this evaluation, INACwas developing a new Intervention Policy now called theDefault Prevention and Management Policy. This evaluationimpacted the development of the new Policy.

An Advisory Committee was set up to provide counsel onthe Policy. AFOA’s President & COO was invited to sit on theAdvisory Committee.

AFOA was represented at a special session focusing on“Prevention and Capacity, Tools and Assessment for FirstNations” in June 2010. The objectives were to: 1) review thenew INAC Default Prevention and Management Policy andto reach consensus on its objectives; 2) build awareness ofthe tools and resources developed by experts and deter-mine how these can contribute to pro-active solutions forintervention prevention and capacity building; 3) align tools,resources and experts in support of the strategic building of capacity and intervention prevention within a risk framework.

AFOA also participated in meetings with INAC and theAssembly of First Nations to explore ways and means thatcapacity gaps in Aboriginal communities identified throughthe Default Management process can be addressed suchthat communities can find the expert services they require,while also ensuring that capacity development is ongoingand that there is efficient use of funds.

Aboriginal Community Development Experts SymposiumAFOA was represented by the President & COO on theAboriginal Community Development Experts Symposiumthis year. The purpose of the symposium was to stimulatediscussion between community development experts fromacross the country and to explore strategies to integrate FirstNations, Métis, and Inuit community development principlesand approaches with government programs and policies.

Other organizations with which AFOA is forging importantrelationships include: the Aboriginal Human ResourceCouncil, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, theCouncil for the Advancement of Native DevelopmentOfficers and the National Association of Friendship Centres.

AFOA

ChapterDevelopmentand Support

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AFOA CANADA – AFOA CHAPTERBOARDOFDIRECTORSANNUALMEETINGS

AFOA Canada and its Chapters continued the practice ofmeeting annually to share information on programs andactivities, addressing Chapter funding and other challenges,and developing a strategic vision for the future. This year’smeeting was the sixth to take place in conjunction with theNational Conference.

REPORTS FROMAFOA CHAPTERS

AFOA is pleased to provide reports from each Chapter ontheir activities over the year:

AFOA AlbertaPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

AGM and Governance Conference The Annual GeneralMeeting is the capstone initiative for AFOA Alberta. The AGMand Governance Conference brought together 150 partici-pants spanning the full scope and breadth of Aboriginal gov-ernance and management and provide timely and relevantplenary and concurrent information and instructional ses-sions. The AGM and Governance Conference was held duringOctober 27 and 28, 2010. Registrants numbered 125 and anew board of Directors was elected. The event sold out.

Fiscal Institute Levels, 1, 2 and 3 The Fiscal Institute givesFinancial and Accounting Officers, Managers, Administratorsand Leaders an opportunity to develop and broaden knowl-edge and expertise in the fields of finance, accounting, gov-ernance and general management. The institute was heldMarch 28 – 31, 2011. This event sold out with 75 participantscompleting 4 days on instruction in accounting, budgeting,human resources practices and senior management topics,such as governance, performance measurement.

Band Administrators Workshop The band administrators’forum provided First Nations and Tribal Councils an opportu-nity to network and hear about new INAC initiatives, andtopical matters impacting finance, accounting, managementand governance. Specifically the Policy on Transfer Paymentswas thoroughly examined. The 2 day formats included plenary sessions, networking opportunities and encouragedsharing of experienced, challenges, and opportunities thatFirst Nations are presented with. Key discussions wererelated to the effects of the new funding policy, challengesand opportunities presented. This event was held inDecember 7 & 8, 2010 and sold out with 130 participants.

Financial Literacy Workshop – Naapi’s Moola The fiscalyear 2009/2010 saw the successful launch of a powerful personal finance tool; Naapi’s Moola, prepared with aunique Aboriginal perspective. The Financial Literacy 1 dayworkshop took this tool out into the community; 2 work-shops were conducted with approximately 25 registrants.

AFOAAtlantic

PROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

AGM and Fall Conference Our AnnualGeneral Meeting and Fall Conference was heldin Moncton, NB on October 13 & 14, 2010 with65 participants in attendance. Topics includedan overview of FNITP; Dealing with DifficultPeople and an afternoon with the First NationsMarket Housing Fund.

AFOA/APC/INAC Financial Policy CommitteeWork with the AFOA/APC/INAC Financial PolicyCommittee continued throughout the yearwith several meetings taking place. Work thecommittee is doing is researching ways toreduce the reporting burden for First Nations,in particular where duplication of reportingmay be occurring.

National Conference We received fundingfrom INAC to subsidize travel of Atlantic dele-gates to the AFOA National Conference inFebruary, as well as additional funds to coverthe cost for one delegate from each FN toattend one of our regional conferences.

CGA Presentation On October 22nd, CarolAnn Barnaby made a presentation to the NewBrunswick CGA Chapter on AFOA, and in parti -cular the relationship between CGA and AFOA.This CGA Chapter has expressed an interest inworking closely with AFOA Atlantic Canada tojointly develop activities in the area.

DIRECTORS

Carol Ann Barnaby, CAFM ChairDeboraha Christmas, CAFM Vice-ChairSusan Harris, CAFM, BComm TreasurerMary McDonald, CAFM SecretaryGwen Fraser, CAFM

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AFOA CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

The event proved to be very well received and was strongly suggestedthat it be brought into the communities; however attendance was signifi-cantly lower than expected. This was believed to be the case, as the workshop was directed at a less financially literate audience, which is nottypical of AFOA membership. Sessions were conducted March 17, 2011and March 21, 2011.

Branding Initiative The purpose is to better qualify the First Nation public service workforce by enhancing and continuing to provide advisoryservices from AFOA Alberta to First Nations financial administration staffthrough the development of a website that engages First Nations Staff tocommunicate with one another and AFOA Alberta on-line. This projectwas approved in 2009-2010 and a statement of work was prepared andefforts undertaken to complete the initiative as part of the 2010-2011 program. In addition, the AFOA Alberta website has been completed. The new website incorporates online registrations. The Webinar was successfully piloted and one session was conducted. Feedback was verystrong, as the webinar included, live streaming video, telephone confer-ence call and on-line chat facility. The first session was conducted onBudgeting Best Practices on March 11, 2011.

Targeted GMAT Sessions This workshop was offered to those Nation’swhose funding arrangements were being renewed. It offered an opportu-nity for participant nations to self-assess and establish their readiness forthe general assessments that will occur during the later stages of the year.Four Tribal Councils completed the workshop, as well as three FirstNations. Several sessions were completed in Enoch, Slave Lake and FortChipewyan. Sessions were facilitated principally by the Executive Director,with two sessions co-facilitated by Crow Chief Consulting and MentoringServices.

Contribution Funding Agreement (CFA) Feedback Sessions The CFAFeedback Sessions were completed October 26, 2010 and October 29,2010 in Edmonton. This session was principally a forum for INAC to discussthe changes to the CFA and to invite and solicit feedback on the changes.These events were very well attended, in excess of 150 participants.

Supplemental Governance and Management Tool (GMAT) WorkshopsAn additional request was received to deliver the GMAT 2 day workshopto an additional First Nation. The session was conducted for the MontanaFirst Nation on November 15 & 16, 2010.

DIRECTORS

Gerald Whitford PresidentShelley Anderson, CAFM Vice-PresidentLorna Morin, CAFM SecretaryMarion Brass-Yellowfly, CAFMLea Dashkewytch, CAFMBrian HjlesvoldWilfred Hooka-NoozaTrina Mineault, CA, CAFMJake Rawski, CAFM, CGA, BGSAlex Sawchuk, CAFM, CMADorothy Simon, CAFMVicki Yellow Old Woman, BAMichael Zubach, CA, CAFM

STAFF

Robert Andrews Executive DirectorRanda Wright Administrative Assistant

AFOA BCPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

Professional Development, Community Developmentand Training Joint efforts to seek input on the INACPolicy on Transfer Payments Information Sessions. 5 sessions were held with a total of 158 people attendingthroughout British Columbia. Input was excellent and wasintended to assist with changes to the transfer paymentsprocess and tools required.

Community Based Training Series AFOA BC has 5 Workshops offered through partnerships, directly to communities, and regionally. We hosted the First NationsStrategic Planning Workshop jointly following the Policyon Transfer Payment sessions First Nations Essentials ofFinancial Management Workshop was offered in partner-ship with the First Nations Education Steering Committeein Kamloops and Vancouver. Direct workshops includedFirst Nations Financial Management & Governance forNuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, in Courtney. Then, FirstNations Audit & Reporting was offered in the YukonRepresentative in Whitehorse. All five workshops wereoffered in Vancouver in March 2011.

Financial Literacy Project Indian and Northern AffairsCanada (“INAC”), Vancouver City Savings Credit Union andthe Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia (the“Public Trustee”), formed a partnership to develop anAboriginal Financial Literacy Handbook and tools to educate youth through presentations and a trainer’s/facilitator’s guide for Aboriginal people living on- and off-reserve in British Columbia. The project continues toevolve to include trainers at the community level.

Conferences The first conference was held in Oosyoos,BC at Spirit Ridge Resort called “First Nation BandAdministrator Conference” in June 2010. The conferencewas in partnership with AFOA Alberta. The second washeld in December at the Vancouver RenaissanceHarbourside Hotel. Our theme was on “Moving Forward inFirst Nations Financial Management”. The March confer-ence was based upon our Community Based workshopSeries 2010. We also participated in the AFOA Canadaconference held in February in Vancouver, BC.

DIRECTORS

Brian Titus, CAFM PresidentClay Harmon, CMA, CAFM, CFP Vice-PresidentSusan Wood, CAFM Vice-PresidentHarvey Paul, CAFM TreasurerNorman Grdina, CGA, CFE, CAFM SecretaryTrevor Morrison Director at Large

STAFF

Mike Mearns, CAFM General ManagerDarlene Glaim Training CoordinatorMargaret Alexander Office Coordinator

AFOA ManitobaPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

Workshop – We held a two-day workshop entitled “Planning,Preparing, and Implementing” and Annual General Meeting inWinnipeg, Manitoba on November 23 and 24, 2010. We had 110participants for the two days. The agenda included New INACTransfer Payment Policy, VLTS and Reporting, Presentation byCertified Management Accountants (CMA) of Manitoba, Overviewof Tobacco and Fuel Tax Rebates, Actual hands-on workshop onpreparing and sending in forms for Tobacco Tax Rebates andKeynote Speaker Chief Deborah Chief, MBA, Brokenhead OjibwayNation. We also had the Signing of Memorandum of Understand -ing (MOU) between AFOA Canada and the University College ofthe North (UCN), and the unveiling of AFOA Manitoba’s veryown “Forecasting Financial Statements Course and Manual”.

CAFM Role Model Program Developed and distributed rolemodel poster to promote an education in financial manage-ment and the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM)designation among Aboriginal youth, foster Aboriginal-inspiredleadership, create a positive public image of Aboriginal financialand management fields, facilitate availability of CAFMs in Abori -ginal communities and influence behaviours and attitudes ofAbori ginals towards education and lead the way to self-gover-nance. The CAFM Role Model selected was Ms. Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle. Suzanne is the Dean of Business at the UniversityCollege of the North (UCN). She has her CAFM and MBA.

Forecasting Financial Statements Course and ManualDeveloped a manual and workshop in forecasting financial state-ments to be specifically designed for participants with a financialbackground who are responsible for sound financial manage-ment. The forecasting financial statements manual and workshopdeveloped uses an interactive approach where we identify rele-vant financial concepts and developed financial models to createan overall financial forecasting system by connecting theStatement of Financial Position, the Statement of Operations, theStatement of Cashflows, and the Statement of Changes in NetDebt. The participants will then apply the concepts and models totheir own operations. This manual and workshop is intended toprepare participants to respond to the changes required underthe Common Government Reporting Model, to develop and insti-tute a financial forecasting process to operations.

DIRECTORS

Allan Munroe, CAFM PresidentStephanie Blackbird, CAFM Vice-PresidentSuzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle, CAFM TreasurerJeannie Carriere, CAFM SecretaryBrenda Catcheway, CAFMMarieRose SpenceTerri Grasby, CAFMMargaret Bushie, CAFMSteven WoodsSharon Stevenson, CAFMChad Bicklmeier, CAFM, CMAYolanda RouletteDan Richard, CAFM, CA

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AFOA OntarioPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

2 Day Workshop Our First workshop was held atChippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation with 25members in attendance, among the subjects discussed onthe two day workshop were Fraud and its prevention, andhow to develop a Salary scale for First Nation Communities.Our networking sessions included a tour of the community,the army base and the park where the confrontation, whichended in the death of Dudley George. The tour was a movingexperience.

Annual General Meeting The AGM was held at Rama againat the request of the membership. This workshop was theFirst workshop where we presented to the membership thenew, as it was then, General Assessment. This theme hasbeen continued into the next year as more details becomeavailable.

Governance Development Network of OntarioThe Executive of the AFOA Ontario Chapter have attended“two” think tanks with the Governance DevelopmentNetwork of Ontario to look at sharing resources andWorkshops.

Governance Development Network The Executive of theOntario Chapter were present at the October Workshop ofthe Governance Development network and Stan Sabourin,the then president of AFOA Ontario gave a presentationabout AFOA and our membership and the activities in whichwe participate. The Governance Development Network andthe Board of AFOA, agreed at a meeting in Vancouver duringthe National Conference of AFOA to develop a MOU to share information and workshops for the benefit of bothadministrators and Chiefs and Councils.

DIRECTORS

Valerie Pizey, CAFM PresidentStan Sabourin, BA, CAFM Vice PresidentWilma Tabobondung, CAFM SecretaryJacques LaPage, CAFM TreasurerSharman Bressette, CAFMDarlene Lafontaine, CAFMGinny Michano-FugereNeil NaokwegijigTeresa Restoule, CAFMRoseann Ross, CAFMMurray Shawnoo

AFOA QuebecPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

Bi-Annual Meetings Organization and management of the First Nations of Quebec Band Councils, Tribal Councils & Regional Commissions and Organizations ExecutiveDirectors bi-annual meetings held in June and December2010 respectively.

Conference Sponsorship AFOA Quebec sponsored threeparticipants to AFOA National Conference held in Vancouver,BC in February 2011.

Annual General Meeting AFOA Quebec’s Annual GeneralMeeting for the period 2009-10 was held concurrently during the AFOA National Conference.

DIRECTORS

André Richer, C.Adm, CGA, CAFM PresidentChristian Rock, LL.B. Secretary-TreasurerSandra Commanda, CAFMCaroline Garon, CGA, CAFMMaude Bellefleur

AFOA NWTPROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

Board Meetings The AFOA NWT Board of Directors heldconference calls on January 15th, 2010 and December 3rd,2010. Our 2010 Annual General Meeting was held on June25th, 2010. Other attempts were unsuccessful due to lack ofquorum.

Converting First Nation Financial Statements WorkshopThere were 11 participants registered for the ConvertingFirst Nation Financial Statements workshop that was held onJune 25th, 2010 in Yellowknife. We had 3 no shows. Thisworkshop had a variance and this will be reimbursed to INAC from AFOA Canada once our audit is completed.

DIRECTORS

Gloria Allen PresidentPenny Kocik, CAFM Vice-PresidentRuth Jerome Secretary/TreasurerRuby Jumbo, CAFMAgnes Cutten, CAFMMargaret LepineKnute Hansen

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AFOA CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

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AFOASaskatchewan PROGRAMSANDACTIVITIES

12th Annual Fall Conference “Planning for Success:Engage, Learn & Discover” The 12th Annual FallConference was held November 2 & 3, 2010 in Saskatoon, SKwith 120 delegates and 14 sponsors.

AFOA Saskatchewan Communications Conference“Voices from the Past - Looking Back and Moving Forward” The 1st Annual Communications Conference was held January 20 & 21, 2011 in Saskatoon, SK with 75 delegates.

Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative Career Fair “The Future is Yours Opportunity Fair” AFOA Saskatchewan coordinated the finance and volun-teered staff for this career fair that was held February 9, 2011in Saskatoon, SK with 750 participants and 52 Tradeshowparticipants 52.

“Sharing Best Practices - Tribal Council Workshop”This 2 day workshop was held March 16 & 17, 2011 inSaskatoon, SK with representation from 7 Tribal Areas inSaskatchewan.

“Financial Management 2 Day Workshops”Workshop material covered 4 modules in areas of: Finance and Accounting Fundamentals, Reading FinancialStatements, Budgeting and Cash Flow Management & TheAudit Process. The tool kit was delivered to 9 Tribal Councilareas in Saskatchewan from October 2010 – March 2011. 191 individuals participated in these workshops.

Certified Financial Officers Incentive Program (CFOIP)AFOA Saskatchewan assisted in the promotion and applica-tion process of this program which promotes the employ-ment by First Nations of a CAFM, CGA CMA or CA through afinancial incentive. Ten First Nations in Saskatchewan metthe requirements.

Development of a new toolkit for leadership “FirstNation Leadership - Practices & Tools for Success”The tool kit will serve as an orientation for newly elected officials and a refresher for experienced officials. The toolkitwill be available in 2011.

Development of additional module for the “FinancialManagement 2 Day Workshops” This module isintended for leadership. “Understanding Governance –The Roles and Responsibilities of Council and Management” is resource material that includes a 3 hour presentation for newly elected officials and a refresher for experiencedofficials. The additional module will be available in 2011.

Summer Student Partnership AFOA SK in partnershipwith the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) hired Vickie Fern asour summer student from June 2010 to August 2010. TheSaskatoon Tribal Council’s goal and main objective for theirsummer student program is to provide the opportunity forstudents to gain work experience and to develop valuableessential skills in a supportive environment and to increasethe student’s employment options. AFOA SK wishes to thankthe Saskatoon Tribal Council for this opportunity also thanksVickie Fern for all her hard work.

Partnership in the Development of an AllianceThe Certified General Accountants Association ofSaskatchewan (CGA) & the Aboriginal Financial OfficersAssociation of Saskatchewan are currently working in partnership in the development of an alliance. The CertifiedGeneral Accountants Association of Saskatchewan and theAboriginal Financial Officers Association of Saskatchewanwill be developing an alliance in 2011 to collaborate on initiatives of mutual advantage and benefit. Both organiza-tions are poised for growth and engagement in the Province.Both organizations recognize that developing strategic collaborations are critical in leveraging opportunities. AFOA SK continues to work on this initiative.

DIRECTORS

Dana Soonias, CAFM PresidentDonna Morin, CMA CAFM Vice-PresidentMary Ann Morin, CMA, CAFM TreasurerDarlene Littlebear-MacIntosh SecretaryMarilyn Osecap, CAFM, B. Comm.Louis Tapper, CA, CAFMSteven RossMarcia SeeseequasisMurray LongBrenda Missens, CAFMBrad Johnson, CMA, CAFM

STAFF

Eugene Mckay, MBA, B. Comm. Executive Director

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Financial Statements of

AboriginalFinancial Officers Association of CanadaYear ended March 31, 2011

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