For Immediate Release
July 30, 2014
BEARDY’S & OKEMASIS FIRST NATION – The following statement was released by Chief & Council of the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation today regarding the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act:
“Yesterday’s deadline to publicly report audited financial statements was imposed by the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).
Our First Nation had met the reporting requirements of this imposed legislation months in advance—not because of any federal requirement, but rather because we recognize that actions speak louder than words.
Accountability and transparency are not just words that leaders say- they must be embodied and reflected in our day-to-day actions.
To that end, the audit documents for the 2011-2012 and 2012/2013 Fiscal Years were made publicly available immediately after the election of our new Council on posted on our Nations website March 26th, 2014—again, not to comply with any federal legislation, but because our band members elected us to do business differently.”
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You can view the BOFN audit documents online by visiting: www.bofn9697.com/audited-financial-statements or you can call the Band Office: 306-467.4523 to request an electronic copy.
