Thursday, September 29, 2011
Programs & Services
Education and Cultural Development
Student Counselors both in The Pas and the Winnipeg Sub-Office, work with
students to achieve success in their studies. Regular contact is maintained with
students, school staff, house parents and home school coordinators to exchange
information and deal with any concerns that may arise.
Social Development
This program is staffed by a Manager, one Social Development Advisor and one Social Development Technician. The First Nations are assisted and advised in the delivery of their social assistance programs. Advisory services are also provided in the areas of Child Care and Adult Care program development.
Technical Unit
2011 is the 21st year of operations for this department. It is staffed with a Manager/Tribal Engineer, Housing Inspector/Advisor, Fire Safety Office and Operations and Maintenance Technician. The “Tech Unit” was established to deal with the increased responsibilities that have been transferred to the First Nations and SCTC from Indian Affairs as a result of the devolution of technical services.
Technical Unit Services:
Fire Safety
- Developing effective Fire Safety Programs for each community;
- Providing technical advice and training to volunteer fire departments;
- Developing and monitoring community Emergency Plans.
Housing
- Assisting First Nations in planning, budgeting and coordinating housing projects;
- Inspecting new housing constructions, repairs of existing homes and preparing written inspection reports;
- Keeping member First Nations up to date on new housing programs, policy changes, building materials and construction techniques.
Operations & Maintenance
- Assisting the First Nations in the development and implementations of preventative maintenance programs for community assets;
- Providing direct technical advisory and training services to First Nations O & M Personnel.
Engineering
- Providing engineering support services to the First Nations dealing with the planning and implementations of a broad range of capital projects;
- Preparing proposal calls for various projects;
- Assisting and advising the First Nations on the method and procedures of good practice in the tendering process and project management.
Financial Program
Financial Advisors assist First Nations in accounting and bookkeeping practices when requested. Advisors maintain a good basic knowledge of the financial position of each First Nation and the financial implications of each new program introduced so that sound financial advice can be provided at any given time.
Accounting Department
The accounting department maintains SCTC revenues and expenditures, presents the financial statements to the Board of Directors, Senior Management and personnel and controls expenditures according to the general accepted accounting principles and within budgets.
Government Services
This program is staffed by a Manager and one Advisor who assist and support the member First Nations in their development of community based self government initiatives and processes. The unit works closely with the Chiefs and Councils to ensure regular communications/consultations flow and is consistent with other First Nations, affiliate organizations and the different levels of government. They gather, review and research material available on other models of self government particularly in the areas of Justice and Policing, which is forwarded to the First Nations. Treaty protection is a high priority.
The unit monitors any legislative changes made by the Federal/Provincial Government so actions can be taken against the undermining or erosion of First Nation Treaties.
The program is designed to present opportunities for First Nations to gain greater control over activities in the Lands & Trust Services section of Indian & Northern Affairs. The context for this initiative comes from the overall goals of SCTC to assist member First Nations become self-governing in assumption of controlling and managing their lands and resources.
The creation of government services also provides proper training of human resources to effectively and efficiently administer local initiatives pertaining to Lands, Governance, Membership, Natural Resources, Estates, Wills & Trusts, Environment Protection and preparation of by-laws and management of appropriate enforcement and compliance mechanisms.