{"id":3937,"date":"2020-03-17T20:03:46","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T20:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.firstnationstrust.com\/fnt_wp\/?page_id=3937"},"modified":"2020-03-18T19:24:48","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T19:24:48","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.firstnationstrust.com\/fnt_wp\/?page_id=3937","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1575461767578{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 70px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1583533464473{margin-bottom: 45px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;border-right-color: #c2000b !important;border-right-style: solid !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”30px”][vc_column][vc_accordion active_tab=”” title=”Frequently Asked Questions”][vc_accordion_tab title=”Who is in charge of the First Nations Trust?”][vc_column_text]The Trustees responsibilities require them to hold and use the Trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The Trustees authority and responsibility includes distributing Trust funds. Management assists the Trustees in fulfilling their duties.\u00a0 The Trustees also rely on each First Nation to provide the information required about how money from the Trust is used each year.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Who controls when distributions are made by the Trust?”][vc_column_text]There are two main processes, first the Provincial government process including an Order-in-Council, which must occur before release of the funds to the First Nations Trust.\u00a0 Once the funds transfer from the Province to the First Nations Trust, the second process begins.\u00a0 This process requires meetings, review of information and the preparation of documentation. At this stage, it is the Trustees and Management who deal with the remainder of matters that must be in place and dealt with before the distributions are made to the beneficiaries of the Trust.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Where is our quarterly distribution, we expected it last week?”][vc_column_text]The Trust monies come to the Trust through the Saskatchewan Indian and Metis\u00a0\u00a0 Affairs Department after the provincial process is completed. On a few occasions there have been delays, such delays are beyond the control of the Board of Trustees and Management.\u00a0 If a delay occurs and the Trust does not receive the funds on the date anticipated, the Trustees and Management process the distribution to the beneficiaries as soon as possible Management has worked overtime to get the funds through as quickly as possible.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Our First Nation has a new Council; do we apply to the Trust to receive the funds?”][vc_column_text]No application is necessary; the Trustees and Management are informed when new Councils are elected.\u00a0 We do encourage every newly elected Chief to contact us; we will arrange a briefing about the Trust.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”When are distributions made by the First Nations Trust?”][vc_column_text]Distributions to the beneficiaries are made quarterly during the fiscal year, usually during June, September, December and March.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”How many distributions are there each year?”][vc_column_text]Each year, the First Nations Trust makes four distributions to the beneficiaries. The distributions are based on estimates of the net profits from seven casinos in Saskatchewan, once the actual net profits can be estimated the difference between the estimate and the actual net profits is also distributed.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Who decides what our First Nation does with funds we receive from the Trust?”][vc_column_text]How the decision is made varies from Nation to Nation, however decision-making is always in the hands of the First Nation. Some First Nations have a Committee that makes recommendations to their Band Council.\u00a0 Determining how a First Nation uses their funds is not a decision made by the Trust, except to the extent that the First Nation must use the funds for one or more of the purposes specified in the 2003 Trust Indenture.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”What happens to the interest earned on money coming in to the First Nations Trust?”][vc_column_text]All interest earned on funds held by the First Nations Trust is added to the capital.\u00a0 The interest earned each year is shown in the audit published in the Annual Report.\u00a0 The amount of interest earned is relatively small because the distribution to the beneficiaries moves quickly from the Trust to the beneficiaries.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”How can our First Nation use the money received from the Trust?”][vc_column_text]Trust money distributed to First Nations may be used for the following purposes:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 economic development;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 social programs;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 justice initiatives;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 education and education facilities;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the development and operation of recreational facilities;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 senior and youth programs;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cultural and spiritual development;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the development and maintenance of community infrastructure;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 health initiatives;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 governance activities;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Treaty protection; and
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any other charitable purpose.<\/p>\n

For more information about ventures that First Nations determined would help their people, click First Nation Initiatives<\/strong> or for some general ideas about the types of initiatives, click ventures.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Where do the First Nations Trust funds come from?”][vc_column_text]The money is a portion of the net profits from gaming in seven casinos in Saskatchewan.\u00a0 Gaming Agreements between the FSIN and the Province established arrangements for sharing gaming profits. Currently, 50 per cent of the net profits from the SIGA casinos is designated for the First Nations Trust. The portion of the net profits that come to the First Nations Trust from government-run casinos is 25 per cent. The funds are transferred to Trust four times each year by the Saskatchewan First Nation & Metis Affairs Department.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Which casinos contribute a portion of their net profits to First Nations?”][vc_column_text]There are two Casinos operated by the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) and seven casinos operating under the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). Contributing a portion of their net profits to the First Nations Trust are:<\/p>\n