Administration

Band Manager

DRFN’s operations are managed by our Band Manager, Shona Nelson. Shona ensures the effective implementation of the community’s plans, programs and services in accordance with our laws, policies and procedures. Chief and Council govern the Nation by engaging with band membership and providing direction to the Band Manager. The Band Manager implements the direction and is supported by several department managers and staff.

Shona Nelson, DRFN Band Manager

One of our key goals is to maximize DRFNmember employment and capacity building within the Nation’s operations. We are proud to have long serving staff that is comprised of skilled workers from both our band membership and the local community.

Our skilled leadership and achievements were recognized in 2017 by MNP and AFOA Canada where we earned the Aboriginal Community Excellence Award. The award recognizes excellence in aboriginal finance, management, and leadership. More on this award here.

High Standards of Administration

One of the goals of Doig River has been to continuously improve our administration and provide a high standard of financial administration, human resources, and governance for the membership. DRFN voluntarily chose to participate as a member nation in subscribing to the First Nations Management Act (FMA) and work with the First Nations Financial Management Board. In April 2021, we recently underwent the financial systems audit and were approved for certification in July 2022. To learn more about the FNFMB certification process, click here. Find more information about this achievement here.

Annual Audited Statements

As part DRFN’s transparency to members, our annual audited statements are published here. If members have questions regarding the audited financial statements, DRFN’s auditor is available each year at the annual World Café and can also contact our Band Manager.

Contact

For More Information on DRFN’s operations, please contact:

Shona Nelson, Band Manager
Dane-zaa ghaa adishtl’ish gha deh (Band Manager)
Direct Line: 778.715.9712
Mobile: 250.793.0367
Email: snelson@doigriverfn.com

How We Work Together

DRFN is a high-performance organization with grass-roots values. Council and staff work as a team to achieve community goals. The following operating standards define how we work together:

We take time for people and also move at the speed of business
We focus on continuous learning, growth and development
We create opportunities for members to be employed based on skill sets and knowledge
We communicate openly, frequently and respectfully at all times
We think bigger than ourselves – i.e., we are here for the community
We have policies and procedures in place to ensure everyone is treated fairly and consistently
We use time wisely – i.e., for everything we do there is something that is not getting done
We are good-hearted at all times and try to help everyone
We always wear our “employee/leader” hats when we are at work (not our member hats)
We maintain confidentiality at all times

Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) Implementation

DRFN administration staff are actively working toward implementing the goals, objectives and actions identified in the Comprehensive Community Plan. These goals include but are not limited to the following:

Community Infrastructure

We will develop and maintain community infrastructure that will improve the quality of life of our members:

Adequate housing and provision of basic infrastructure (i.e., water, sewer, roads, storm drainage)
Quality community buildings and gathering spaces
Investments in emerging and ‘green’ technology (i.e., clean energy and telecommunications)

Supporting Our Members

We will develop and deliver programs and services that foster community healing, health, educational excellence, financial self-sufficiency and independence for our membership:

Improved health and wellness
Quality education and training opportunities for members

Economic Development

We will work to become economically and financially self-sufficient:

Sustainable and effective trust funds
New sources of revenue
Employment opportunities for members

Governance and Administration

We will develop and maintain strong systems of governance and administration that include opportunities for grassroots member participation in community decision-making:

Good governance systems
Effective administration
Grassroots member participation

Territory and Treaty Rights

We will be present throughout our territory and assert our treaty rights

We are active and visible on the land
Treaty Rights are understood, respected and upheld

We will protect the land and manage its natural resources for the greatest benefit of our members:

Effective management of lands and resources throughout our Territory
Proper use and management of our current land holdings (i.e., reserve and private land)
Strategic land acquisition

Culture and Language

We will celebrate our language, stories and traditions and incorporate them into all facets of our business and administration:

Members speaking Dane-zaa Záágé (Beaver) and practicing our culture
We will continue to be a kind and inclusive community
We will strive for healthy internal relationships (i.e., amongst ourselves)
We will strive for healthy external relationships (i.e., with our neighbours, government and industry)