BIGSTONE CREE NATION TRUST
Overview of the Bigstone Cree Nation Trusts
Bigstone Cree Nation entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Federal Crown to settle outstanding land entitlement claims in relation to Treaty No. 8.
As a result of the Settlement Agreement, the Federal Crown made payments to Bigstone Cree Nation.
From this settlement five separate trusts were created and put into investment bank accounts where each year 50% of the interest earned is put towards each trust agreement for approved programs and services.
The largest of our trusts is The Nations Trust. The Nations Trust is designed to never deplete; because no more than half of the account interest on the funds will ever be used in one fiscal year, the account continually replenishes through accumulating the remaining half of bank interest on the saved monies. This protects the long-term interests of our members and our children. Any monies that are not used within the calendar year are returned to the trust account. However, the contract governing this trust is impossibly restrictive, prohibiting our nation’s access to the funds we lawfully own. To date, Bigstone Cree Nation has never successfully accessed The Nations Trust and the likelihood of accessing funds decreases each year.
About Us
Bigstone Cree Nation Trustees
A Trustee is an elected member of Bigstone Cree Nation. who is appointed/assigned by Chief & Council to be on a Community Trust Fund program of the Bigstone Cree Nation and, who performs his/her duties and responsibilities as a political representative on behalf of registered Bigstone Cree Nation members.
Trust Proposal Service Provider
Any Bigstone Cree Nation Member can submit a Proposal Application. The application can be submitted to any of the five trusts or a combination of the trusts. The proposals that are recommended by Trustees and accepted and consented by Council are placed on the ballots for voting by the beneficiaries.
Once a Proposal has been approved (received majority vote by the beneficiaries i.e. Bigstone Cree Nation members), the Trust Proposal Service Provider assumes responsibility in complying with the terms and conditions outlined in the Contract Agreement.
Trust Administrator
The Trust Administrator, in collaboration with the Trustees, maintains overall accountability and responsibility for the administrative operations of the Bigstone Cree Nation Trust Property and for programs and services. To facilitate the administrative process the Trust Administrator shall work to ensure effective and efficient delivery of all the assignments of the program.
Our team members
Bigstone Cree Nation Trust Administrator
Angela Bigstone
Bigstone Cree Nation Trust Finance Officer
Jeannie Ghostkeeper-Laboucan