Council members are elected for three-year terms on the same basis as the Chief of the Reserve. Their main concern is to deal with matters in the best interests of the membership and community, and to assist the Chief in the day-to-day matters of the community. In order to run the community in an orderly fashion and to deliver the programs and services to its members, Chief & Council hire a Band Manager who generally oversees the administration of its services, programs, and staff. Other support staff is hired to coordinate the various programs and services required in the community.

Chief & Council are also involved, at arms-length, in various business ventures on and off reserve.

Committees are established to make recommendations on various issues and matters that need to be dealt with by Council. Elders are also used extensively on some urgent matters that impact on the community and its members.

Chief

Ted Bland

Councillors

Election results from 2004

All Council members are assigned portfolios at the beginning of their three year terms in office. Council meeting are held regularly or, as required, to keep members informed or to report on their portfolios.

Band Administration

York Factory First Nation employs staff on a full-time or part-time basis to carry out the services and programs provided to its membership. The following outlines the various services within the York Factory First Nation:

Band Funding Arrangements

Multi-year Alternative Arrangements are in place with the Department of Indian Affairs. This includes Social Services, Education, Capital Housing, Administration, Infrastructure and other public services. Funding is distributed on a monthly basis. Health & Welfare (First Nation & Inuit Health Services) fund all health programs on a quartlery reimbursement basis.

Membership & Estates

Indian & Northern Affairs Canada controls the membership and estates of the community. A part-time membership secretary is funded for recording purposes.

Electoral Process

Election of Chief & Council are done under Band Custom. Procedures and guidelines were developed and adopted by the Band to be used for electoral purposes. Chief & Council elections are held every three years with the next one being held in June 2002. An Elections Officer, with the help of an assistant, monitors the poll and verifies the ballots on Election Day.

By-Laws Process

Under Section 85.1 of the Indian Act, Chief & Council can enact by-laws to govern the Reserve. The York Factory Intoxicants By-Law No. 1195.01 was passed on January 23, 1995 to prohibit the sale, distribution and possession of any intoxicants on the York Landing Reserve.

Lands Management

There is no Lands Management Program in the community. Cheif & Council are responsible for dealing with any issues as they arise under this program. The York Factory Resource Management Committee was established to deal with issues arising out at the First Nation Resource Area at York Factory and the Community trapline at York Landing.

Natural Resources

York Landing has no control of natural resources surrounding the community of York Landing as the community is located within the Split Lake Resource Area. A community trapline is available on loan from the Split Lake First Nation.

Justice

There is no program in place to deal with justice in the community. The community employs four Band Constables to enforce any by-laws it has and to maintain peace and order in the community. Any major infractions of the law is dealt with by the RCMP and the court systems at thompson.

Regional

Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC)
Chief Executive Officer - Sharon McKay

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
Grand Chief - Dr. Sydney Garrioch

Provincial

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC)
Grand Chief - Dennis White Bird

National

Assembly of First Nations(AFN)
National Chief - Phil Fontaine

York Factory First Nation
York Landing, Manitoba R0B 2B0
CANADA