FAQS
1. Who is currently in leadership and what portfolios do they hold?
Chief Tyson Bear
Councillors Marie Gladue, Connie Derocher, Rubyn Norman, Jon Mirasty
2. When is the next general band meeting?
Off-Reserve Meetings:
3. What is on the agenda for the meetings?
4. What kind of Mental Health services does FDFN provide?
Services that are readily available for FDFN members include, but are not limited to:
FDFN also utilizes the list of Mental Therapists provided by NIHB when requested by client and will make referrals to the Counsellors at Northwest Health Facility when requested by client. MLTC also has additional resources that FDFN will utilize when the need arises.
5. What are some of the business’s that Flying Dust First Nation owns?
Snipe & Celly is a business venture that is totally separate from the day to day program and
service budgets. They are a proud sports excellence sporting goods and apparel store, give
Snipe & Celly a call for all your custom promotional needs!
FDB Gravel is owned by FDFN and is an operated bulk aggregate supplier for northern
Saskatchewan. FDB Gravel specialize in a wide range of variety of rock such as 3/4 crushed rock,
traffic 106, highway base course type 33, rip rap, two inch base and much more. FDB Gravel
currently employs 5 first nations and metis people, give them a call for a quote…no job too big
or too small!
Other business includes Flying Dust Market Garden, Flying Dust Security and FDB Fuels. FDFN
business’s employ Flying Dust band members in different capacities!
The business operations are monitored with the oversight of the newly established Economic
Development Board along with our Director of Economic Development. The selection of the
Board was provided to allow diversity for FDFN. FDFN included leadership and community
members, and other professionals with law, financial, and business backgrounds.
6. How do I find out information about claims and Flying Dust?
Community members can always find current up to date information online. The link below is a status report on past and present specific claims:
https://services.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/SCBRI_E/Main/ReportingCentre/External/externalreporting.aspx (Search Flying Dust First Nation)
Treaty Land Entitlement (SETTLED June 1993): the settlement of $6,437,439 continues to be managed by Chief and Council appointed TLE Trustees for the strategic purchase of lands to be converted into reserve status. This has been a successfully managed trust that continues to provide for the purchase of land,
Treaty Salaries Claim (SETTLED March 2022): the settlement of $1,207,267.00 was put towards community development, specifically funding the Youth Centre project. Updates on the youth centre project will be released soon.
Treaty Annuities Claim (SETTLED December 2019): the settlement of $698,094.00 was put towards the paving of FDFN roads.
Current Ongoing Claims:
***Railway Remediation Funding: this money was granted for the purpose of an environmental clean up of the contaminated lands on railway. This was required as a necessary step before the lands could be transferred back into reserve status.
7. How do I apply and what is the hiring process for FDFN HR?
Send in your updated resume, credentials and CPIC to the Human Resources Manager. Your
resume will be screened for applicable education and experience. If you are a good candidate
for the role you may be selected for an interview! Any employee that is hired for the band must
also be in good standing. The interview panel will consist of three individuals depending on the
position; supervisor, department manager/director, COO and MLTC employee from the same
department, HR or a community member who has knowledge for the role being hired. Anyone
with a conflict of interest must declare and decline the invite to sit on the panel.
There is a Human Resources Policy that has been revised and passed effective January 1, 2023
and is implemented and followed.
8. Where can I find financial information regarding Flying Dust First Nation?
The annual financial audits are available for review on-line (Indigenous Services Canada)
webpage to see the transparency of finances. Flying Dust First Nation annual audits have all
been “Unqualified Audits” (in good standing)
2022-23 Financial Audits:
Click here then
go to “FNFTA” and press OK and this will lead you to the Audited Financial Statements.
First Nation Profiles (aadnc-aandc.gc.ca)
With the newly hired Director of Finance FDFN is also working to implement the Financial
Administration Law (FAL).
9. Are there programs for the Elders of FDFN?
Yes, Health & Wellness are currently planning to continue a weekly program with students from
Kopahawakenum Community School to prepare food for the Elders at the lodge.
Elders will also be able to attend the scheduled wellness days, elder walking program, with
more new initiatives coming.
10. What kind of committees have been developed for community members to be involved
with Flying Dust?
The governance committee was formed as a working group to develop the Membership Act.
They provided feedback and carried the project thru to a community vote. In the future if there
are other governance laws/bylaws in need of drafting the governance committee will convene
to provide feedback.
There is an active Settlement Planning Committee that was put together this past fall after a
publicly advertised call out for any members to join. The settlement planning committee
recently attended trust presentations from 3 different financial institutions and to assist with
the Agriculture Benefits Claim.
11. What is the role of our legal council?
Our In-House Legal Counsel Does Not:
12. How many band members does Flying Dust First Nation have?
13. What is the plan for gangs, drug dealers to be removed from Flying Dust First Nation?
There are social concerns in our community and FDFN meets with RCMP regularly to discuss
and try to address these issues.
Chief Tyson Bear
Councillors Marie Gladue, Connie Derocher, Rubyn Norman, Jon Mirasty
2. When is the next general band meeting?
Off-Reserve Meetings:
- Monday, March 18, 2024 – Edmonton – Chateau Nova Yellowhead
- Tuesday, March 19, 2024 – North Battleford – Western Development Museum
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024 – Saskatoon – Saskatoon Inn & Conference Center (Ballroom B)
- Monday, March 25, 2024 – Flying Dust – Community Gym
3. What is on the agenda for the meetings?
- Update of Agriculture Benefit Claim
- Update of FDFN Initiatives, manager updates, economic development updates
4. What kind of Mental Health services does FDFN provide?
Services that are readily available for FDFN members include, but are not limited to:
- 2 FT Mental therapist positions (1 vacant)
- 2 FT Community Wellness positions
- 2 FT Addictions workers (1 vacant)
- 1 FT Mental Therapist at Kopawakenum School
FDFN also utilizes the list of Mental Therapists provided by NIHB when requested by client and will make referrals to the Counsellors at Northwest Health Facility when requested by client. MLTC also has additional resources that FDFN will utilize when the need arises.
5. What are some of the business’s that Flying Dust First Nation owns?
Snipe & Celly is a business venture that is totally separate from the day to day program and
service budgets. They are a proud sports excellence sporting goods and apparel store, give
Snipe & Celly a call for all your custom promotional needs!
FDB Gravel is owned by FDFN and is an operated bulk aggregate supplier for northern
Saskatchewan. FDB Gravel specialize in a wide range of variety of rock such as 3/4 crushed rock,
traffic 106, highway base course type 33, rip rap, two inch base and much more. FDB Gravel
currently employs 5 first nations and metis people, give them a call for a quote…no job too big
or too small!
Other business includes Flying Dust Market Garden, Flying Dust Security and FDB Fuels. FDFN
business’s employ Flying Dust band members in different capacities!
The business operations are monitored with the oversight of the newly established Economic
Development Board along with our Director of Economic Development. The selection of the
Board was provided to allow diversity for FDFN. FDFN included leadership and community
members, and other professionals with law, financial, and business backgrounds.
6. How do I find out information about claims and Flying Dust?
Community members can always find current up to date information online. The link below is a status report on past and present specific claims:
https://services.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/SCBRI_E/Main/ReportingCentre/External/externalreporting.aspx (Search Flying Dust First Nation)
Treaty Land Entitlement (SETTLED June 1993): the settlement of $6,437,439 continues to be managed by Chief and Council appointed TLE Trustees for the strategic purchase of lands to be converted into reserve status. This has been a successfully managed trust that continues to provide for the purchase of land,
Treaty Salaries Claim (SETTLED March 2022): the settlement of $1,207,267.00 was put towards community development, specifically funding the Youth Centre project. Updates on the youth centre project will be released soon.
Treaty Annuities Claim (SETTLED December 2019): the settlement of $698,094.00 was put towards the paving of FDFN roads.
Current Ongoing Claims:
- Agricultural Benefits Claim (Cows & Plows)
- Railway Claim
***Railway Remediation Funding: this money was granted for the purpose of an environmental clean up of the contaminated lands on railway. This was required as a necessary step before the lands could be transferred back into reserve status.
7. How do I apply and what is the hiring process for FDFN HR?
Send in your updated resume, credentials and CPIC to the Human Resources Manager. Your
resume will be screened for applicable education and experience. If you are a good candidate
for the role you may be selected for an interview! Any employee that is hired for the band must
also be in good standing. The interview panel will consist of three individuals depending on the
position; supervisor, department manager/director, COO and MLTC employee from the same
department, HR or a community member who has knowledge for the role being hired. Anyone
with a conflict of interest must declare and decline the invite to sit on the panel.
There is a Human Resources Policy that has been revised and passed effective January 1, 2023
and is implemented and followed.
8. Where can I find financial information regarding Flying Dust First Nation?
The annual financial audits are available for review on-line (Indigenous Services Canada)
webpage to see the transparency of finances. Flying Dust First Nation annual audits have all
been “Unqualified Audits” (in good standing)
2022-23 Financial Audits:
Click here then
go to “FNFTA” and press OK and this will lead you to the Audited Financial Statements.
First Nation Profiles (aadnc-aandc.gc.ca)
With the newly hired Director of Finance FDFN is also working to implement the Financial
Administration Law (FAL).
9. Are there programs for the Elders of FDFN?
Yes, Health & Wellness are currently planning to continue a weekly program with students from
Kopahawakenum Community School to prepare food for the Elders at the lodge.
Elders will also be able to attend the scheduled wellness days, elder walking program, with
more new initiatives coming.
10. What kind of committees have been developed for community members to be involved
with Flying Dust?
The governance committee was formed as a working group to develop the Membership Act.
They provided feedback and carried the project thru to a community vote. In the future if there
are other governance laws/bylaws in need of drafting the governance committee will convene
to provide feedback.
There is an active Settlement Planning Committee that was put together this past fall after a
publicly advertised call out for any members to join. The settlement planning committee
recently attended trust presentations from 3 different financial institutions and to assist with
the Agriculture Benefits Claim.
11. What is the role of our legal council?
- In-house lawyer, a band member, has been assisting with policy and bylaw development, settlement claims and ensuring that the First Nation is making sound decisions based on legislation, acts and laws
- Corporate and land transactions of the First Nation and each of its entities
- Assists many band members with their personal legal questions, wills and other personal documentation
- Attends traffic court to prosecute the tickets that were given from FDFN Community Safety Officer
- Has assisted several band members in filling out applications for their own personal class action claims (ie: day school claim, water claim)
Our In-House Legal Counsel Does Not:
- Represent band members on criminal matters
- Represent band members on family law matters
12. How many band members does Flying Dust First Nation have?
- 1939, will approximately 500 of them under 18
13. What is the plan for gangs, drug dealers to be removed from Flying Dust First Nation?
There are social concerns in our community and FDFN meets with RCMP regularly to discuss
and try to address these issues.