The Six Nations Elected Council and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) new governance structure is now operational and was announced on March 31st of this year.

The goal of this new structure is to find efficiencies and create an enhanced relationship between Elected Council and SNGRDC so they can better serve the Six Nations community. There are three major changes under the enhanced structure: a new long-term funding agreement; divestiture of properties; and an amalgamated governance model of SNGRDC. The 15-Year Funding Agreement Under the new model, will see the Elected Council receive a minimum annual funding commitment from the Economic Development Trust (EDT) for the next 15 years.

The annual commitment is 40% of SNGRDC’s post audit free cash or $1.4M, whichever is greater and eliminates Council having to apply to the SNGRDC for funds as had been in the previous agreement. This will allow the Elected Council and its departments to plan for the long-term needs of the community. It also eliminates the EDT application requirement for the Elected Council saving resources and time for both the Elected Council and the EDT, which will result in direct financial savings.

Therefore the Elected Council will no longer be eligible to apply for EDT funding. This will enable the EDT to streamline their focus towards other general applicants and grassroots level initiatives.

From a press release on March 31st Elected Chief Mark Hill is quoted as saying, “The new agreement with Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation will strengthen our working relationship. We are excited to develop more strategic and long term plans to meet community needs and better serve the Six Nations Community in unity with SNGRDC.”

As of December 2022, the Economic Development Trust (EDT) has re-invested just over $16.6M into community priorities, of which, Elected Council departments have received $12.4M. Details on how these funds were allocated can be found at www.sixnationsedt.ca.

Listen to the entire conversation with Matt Jamieson below