On May 1st, 2020, Long Plain First Nation (LPFN) received a Financial Management System (FMS) Certificate from the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB). This means their finance and administrative governance practices now meet FMB standards, which are based on internationally recognized standards of financial management.
About Long Plain First Nation:
A signatory to Treaty 1, 1871 (Adhesion Treaty of June 20, 1876) Long Plain First Nation is an Ojibway and Dakota community in the central plains region of Manitoba. The Long Plain population is over 4,500 and is comprised of 3 reserves, of which 2 are urban. Their urban reserves are situated along the city limits of Portage la Prairie and in the City of Winnipeg.
Managing to provide services to such a large population on many different sites could be seen as complex, but LPFN is up to the challenge and offers services of health, education, employment and economic development as well as infrastructure and housing. To ensure stability and continuity in community services and development, LPFN chooses to work with FMB and strengthen the finance and administrative governance practices.
On their journey towards FMS Certification, the Nation developed a Financial Administration Law (FAL) and also received a Financial Performance Certificate making the Nation eligible to apply for long term affordable financing from the First Nations Finance Authority. To achieve FMS certification, the Nation began working closely with the FMB staff to bring their FAL to life.
“Long Plain First Nation has achieved FMS Certification in partnership with FMB. We believe in good government, accountability and transparency as it is integral in achieving a strong financial foundation.”
-Chief Dennis Meeches
The FMB acknowledges the strong leadership of the LPFN Chief and Council and the dedication of their staff that were key into achieving FMS Certification.
Congratulations to LPFN on this accomplishment!
About FMB: The Financial Management Board is a First Nations-led nonprofit organization that supports First Nations in developing sound finance and administrative governance practices. The FMB was created under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) in 2006. Services offered are at no cost to First Nations. For more information on all products and services, visit www.fnfmb.com
Working with FMB and seeking FMS certification provides several benefits including:
- Increased transparency and accountability to members and future business partners
- Building skillset and reputation for strong finance and administrative governance practices
- Provides council members and staff the tools they need to better manage the Nation’s finances
- Increased stability and continuity through finance and governance practices
- Improved risk management
Media Contacts:
First Nations Financial Management Board
Harold Calla, Executive Chair
P: (604) 925-6665
Long Plain First Nation:
Chief Dennis Meeches
[email protected]
