Submitted by Deborah Baker - Running for Band Manager

Questions for Potential Band Manager (Currently Serving on Council)

1. What makes you qualified to be Band Manager?

I am prepared to listen to the Members concerns and help them to the best of my ability.

Before I was first elected to Council I was already doing community advocacy with some members and outside of our Nation.

I am a people person and my former boss said I was great at networking and public relation which I believe are a few of the necessary skills to have as a Band Manager.

2. After reading the terms of reference for Band Manager, do you agree to what it contains?

I think it is really unfortunate that the Terms of Reference wasn’t brought to Membership prior to the Nominations meeting.  However working within those parameters I will do my best and my hope is the New term of Council will review, make amendments and perhaps bring it to Membership for their input.

3. Do you feel the community needs a Band Manager?  If so, why?

Our Nation needs a Band Manager at this time because of the disconnect at the leadership level and Senior staff in Administration with Membership. I think if I am elected in this role I can possibly help re-connect all in Support of Membership.

4. Being a Council member, do you think this helps translate into serving as the ‘Community Advocate?’

Yes, I suppose it does as both positions are Elected positions ~ Council and the Band Manager ~ are roles to serve our People.

5. Referring to the draft Election Law document (I know it wasn’t passed), would there be a reason you would not be eligible to run under those candidate requirements?

I do not owe any money to our Nation.

I have NOT declared bankruptcy in the last to years or more.

I have NOT committed an indictable offense (includes assault, theft, fraud or bribery) within the last 10 years.

No DUI in my lifetime.

6. Why haven’t there been general meetings within the last couple years?

Over the past few years most of Council and the EOO agreed that the General meetings weren’t working.  I, may have been the only Councilor who still wanted General Meetings.  I believe in that our General meeting process.  I am hoping this New term of Council with New Councilors will bring back General Meetings and I am hoping I will be the designated as the Band Manager to arrange them with Council’s support.

7. What do you think the term ‘community wellness’ and how it applies to the Nation as a whole?

I love the term Community Wellness because I believe in it.  As I have lived a drug and alcohol free life style for many years.  As a residential school Survivor I see the importance healing and wellness to break the cycle of oppression and abuse.  As individuals we can heal one heart at a time which ends adding up for our whole Nation.  The importance is to support one another and utilize the healthy support systems we currently have in place.  I really believe in each other when it comes to Community Wellness.

8. What are your feelings regarding the Governance Manual? Do you feel Council has fully implemented it?

The way the Governance Manual was presented to Membership was not good.  Council should have include Membership rather than not.  Therefore I anticipate major revisions or starting from a clean slate.  My understanding it has NOT been fully implemented.

9. Regarding the draft Election Law, what did you approve and not approve of?

The draft Election Law I fully embraced because it was coming from Membership.  And I will continue to support it in the next term either as a Member or the Band Manager and if I can I will help with the process in terms of community engagement.  I am really excited about this Law coming back to Membership.

10. Do you believe your $80,000 annual salary is justified?

I think Council and Band Managers remuneration should be brought to Membership in the New term and then they can deem what is fair and equitable.

11. What are you hoping to accomplish if elected as Band Manager?

Unity, transparency and listening to Members needs.  Having an opportunity to bring new ideas from Membership to Council as a liaison.  The Band Manager role can be one of the parts that mobilize great and positive change for Membership.

12. Has your attendance been exemplary to community meetings, events and council meetings?

Yes, I believe so, my attendance was exemplary this term however I am hoping if elected as Band Manager to be present in the Squamish Valley twice a week and the remainder of the time on the North Shore and to increase my attendance in all gatherings, meetings and having a daily schedule and planning.

13. Did you hold a portfolio while on council?  What was it?

I was appointed to the FNHC last term and for half of this term.  I enjoyed that role and I think we need a leader who is proactive when appointed as a representative not only in this area but all areas.

Also, I was appointed to Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Provincial and National Boards of which I was so grateful to be apart of in supporting our athletes or recreation.

We have so much to learn and do as a Nation.  I believe it is time for leadership and senior Administrators to stop suppressing our People.  Once Membership is back in the driver’s seat we will be back on track for our Nation as a whole.  Which I believe it will be starting on December 10, 2017.

Thank You Brittany for asking these important questions.

Huy chexw :)