SŦÁUTW First Nation is seeking to appoint members to the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee who shall each have the opportunity to serve a two year term from date of appointment.

The SŦÁUTW First Nation Membership Law (2013) says the following regarding vacancy in term:

18.1 A membership Committee of seven (7) members, all of whom are at least eighteen (18) years of age and none of whom are members of Council will be appointed by Council.

18.2 Appointments to the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee will be made in a manner so as to provide for a broad representation of the Tsawout First Nation community. At least two (2) SELWÁN and one (1) youth member will be appointed to the committee.

SELWAN means an adult person who is a member of the SŦÁUTW First Nation and who has gained and continues to hold the trust, respect and confidence of the SŦÁUTW First Nation and who has a good knowledge of the customs of the SŦÁUTW First Nation.

Youth Member means a member who is between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-five (25).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Any eligible voter, whether or not resident on Tsawout reserve lands, is eligible to be appointed to the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee.

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee’s responsibilities include the following, as set out in the SŦÁUTW First Nation Membership Law (2013) and at the instruction of the Lands Manager:

• Meet at least quarterly to consider applications for membership and provide written recommendations (along with reasons for those decisions) to Council regarding the acceptance of membership applications.
•  Assess and make decisions with regard to whether a person applying for membership has a criminal record that disqualifies them from becoming a member;
• Hear appeals from decisions made by the Tsawout First Nation Membership Administrator and make written recommendations (along with reasons for those decisions) to Council on the matter under appeal.

The Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee must act in accordance with all Tsawout First Nation Laws and Policies, including the SŦÁUTW First Nation Membership Law (2013), Tsawout First Nation Financial Administration Law, and any other Tsawout First Nation laws and polices that generally apply to Tsawout First Nation committees. The Membership Administrator provides administrative support to the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee and acts as the liaison between the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee and Council.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The SŦÁUTW First Nation Membership Law (2013) states that the Membership Committee will be appointed by Council in a manner so as to provide for a broad representation of the Tsawout First Nation community. Council will appoint no more than five (5) members to the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee, taking into consideration the importance of:

• Having at least one (1) youth representative;
• Ensuring there is Elder representative;
• Ensuring that there is broad family representation;
• Ensuring that there is broad skillset of those represented on the Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee.

TIME COMMITMENT AND COMPENSATION

The Tsawout First Nation Membership Committee is an ad hoc panel and all of its work must remain within the Tsawout First Nation’s annual budget. The Compensation for Committee members is set by Council.

Interested persons should apply by providing the following information before 4:00pm on June 29th, 2023:

• Full Name
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• A brief summary of your knowledge of SŦÁUTW culture and traditions, educational background, work and volunteer history.

Please submit completed applications directly to:

Jaclyn Charlie
Membership Clerk, Tsawout First Nation
7728 Tetayut Road
Saanichton, BC V8M 2E4
P: 250-652-9101 E: membership@tsawout.ca