"Band Council meets with First Nation financial institution, hears about Mohawk Lake clean-up"

OHSWEKEN - At a Monday meeting of the Six Nations Elected Council's Committee of the Whole meeting, two presentations were made. David Boisvert, President and CEO of Peace Hills Trust of Edmonton, Alberta spoke of his group's wishes to establish an online banking system at Six Nations. Joy O'Donnell, Chair of the Grand River Conservation Foundation located in Cambridge, Ontario wants to clean up Mohawk Lake. Both gave verbal presentations with written materials made available to Band Councillors and staff.

Peace Hills Trust is a First Nation Financial Institution, owned by the Samson Cree Nation of Alberta. Offering 34 years of banking experience, its focus is on the business, entrepreneurial and personal financial needs of First Nations and non-First Nations clients. Eight regional offices across the country, including 5 on reserves, offer banking, borrowing and investment services such as personal savings and checking accounts, mortgages, personal loans and lines of credit as well as GICs and RRSPs with an emphasis on internet/on-line banking.

Boisvert stated that their "primary market is First Nations Administrative Systems, Native businesses and Aboriginal individuals". They also "serve non-Native customers and joint initiative clients" he said. Federally incorporated under the Trust and Loan Companies Act of Canada, Peace Hills Trust is federally regulated and required to provide public disclosure on its operations. Their biggest challenges, he said in the meeting "are the Privacy Act and the Money Laundering Act."

Boisvert stated that his Trust company aims to "manage First Nation funds", going on to say that the $350 million held in trust for First Nation communities so far is well capitalized" with $66 million in capital, $454 million in outstanding loans, a Trust Book of $800 million across Canada, and $2.5 billion in funds have been invested on reserves across the country. He went on to say that "Peace Hills Trust offers 49 or 99 year prepaid leases." Also, that "Project financing is based on feasibility, offers flexible terms and repayment plans, and has competitive interest rates." He stated that theirs "is the closest to fee simple lending and hinges on the individual's capacity to repay in order to secure a loan because we don't want to repossess."

Boisvert added that the "Peace Hills Trust recruits community members to have 'roots on the ground' and is a proud sponsor of local community events." Boisvert said they "prefer to hold the mortgage" and are interested in renting space on-reserve to establish an Ontario regional office. A meeting with the New Credit Administrative System was occurring simultaneously.

Joy O'Donnell of the Grand River Conservation Foundation presented a site map for cleaning up Mohawk Lake and the surrounding area. She stated that her work is "to inform and educate in communities" and that "Six Nations community members' input is critical."

"A 1994/95 research report identified that as industrialization diminished, the lake cleans itself more and more." Using primarily enzymatic cleaning, she said that "completion of the cleanup is projected for December 2016. At that time, the lake and surrounding land can be developed, with high potential for joint projects."

Contamination of Mohawk Lake is primarily industrial with contaminated underground streams and creeks leeching various contaminants into the lake which then find their way into the Grand River upstream of the Six Nations community. Contaminants such as lead, diesel, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs are similar to PCBs) are the biggest problems and concerns. Although the water will not be swimmable, O'Donnell and the GRCF feel that community members' input is critical throughout the cleanup process and beyond. Chief Ava advised that "the Councillor who handles this stuff isn't in attendance" and suggested that a community meeting be held to seek input from community members. She also stated that "Cleaning it up was Phil McColeman's idea" and that "he wanted to work with Six Nations."

After both presentations the TRT asked if either had approached the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council or the HDI with their proposals. Neither had.