Council continues record of debt reduction, posts surplus in 2016/2017 Audit

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2017

Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, Treaty 6 – “The 2016/2017 Consolidated Financial Statements report significant improvement in the Nation’s financial position” explains Juliano Tupone, the Chief Financial Officer for the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation.

Those numbers paint a promising picture.

The Nation’s overall net debt was reduced by $3M from the last fiscal year to this year; the Nation posted a $2.8M surplus; and according to auditing firm MNP, the Nation’s audit was “unqualified” meaning ‘the financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects the financial position of the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation’.

“The Nation’s leadership and senior administration have taken significant steps to improve the financial management of the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation. Working together, we will continue to improve our financial position” added Tupone.

“We have worked diligently to manage our financial affairs” said Chief Roy Petit, “our financial success can only continue with the recent adoption and implementation of the Financial Management Act. Our Council remains committed to prosperity and understand that getting there requires strong, and effective financial controls.“