Beneficiary Referendum

The Beneficiary Referendum involves a lot of information. Some of the words used in the communication materials may not be understood by everybody. Here are definitions of some of the terms that are used:

Q.  What is a Referendum?

A referendum is a formal vote where voters are asked to accept or reject something, usually by checking a “Yes” or “No” box on a ballot (a piece of paper with the question). Usually people are asked to vote “Yes” or “No” about an important piece of legislation or policy.

Q.  What is a Beneficiary?

A Beneficiary is someone who is enrolled under Chapter 3 of Kwanlin Dun’s Final Agreement. Only KDFN Beneficiaries can vote in the KDFN Beneficiary referendum. Not all KDFN citizens are also KDFN Beneficiaries.

Q. What is a Policy?

A policy guides people toward a goal and can be very simple or very detailed. Policies are guidelines, not law. For example, if approved, the three policies that will be voted on in the Beneficiary Referendum will guide how KDFN will manage its Settlement lands and Final Agreement money and how it consults with its beneficiaries if there are any changes to the Final Agreement.

Q. What is a Trust Fund?

A Trust Fund is an arrangement whereby property or money is managed by one person (or persons or organizations) for the benefit of another. A Trust Fund protects the money in the Trust from taxes, legal, political and creditor actions.

Q. What is a Trustee?

A Trustee is the individual or institution that is responsible for administering a Trust Fund. The Trustee must administer the Trust Fund in accordance with the terms of the Trust.

Q. What is a Trust Deed?

A Trust Deed is a formal document that outlines the terms of a Trust Fund. The Trust Deed will define how the money in the Trust Fund will be managed and invested. The Trust Deed is a contract that legally binds the Trustees to follow the terms of the Deed.

Q. What does Consultation mean?

Consultation means getting the opinions of people before a decision is made. For example, if the Settlement Land Policy is approved, the KDFN government will develop a Settlement Land Act in consultation with the KDFN beneficiaries.

Q. What is an Act? (eg: the Settlement Land Act)

An Act is a piece of legislation or law. Approving the Settlement Land Policy will allow KDFN to make its own law; the Settlement Land Act. Approving the Investment Governance Policy will allow KDFN to make its own law; the Investment Governance Act.

Q. What are Investments?

Investments are ways of using money in the hope of making more money. For example, once the Investment Governance Policy is approved and the Investment Governance Act developed, KDFN could invest some of the money in its Trust Fund in businesses or in the stock market to make more money.

Q. What does Investment Governance mean?

Investment Governance means how investments or money are to be governed or managed. KDFN’s Investment Governance Policy will guide how KDFN’s Final Agreement money will be taken care of and managed.

Q. What is a Constitution?

A Constitution is a set of rules for government—often developed as a written document. KDFN has its own Constitution which defines the rules for how the First Nation is to be governed. KDFN’s Constitution requires that the Settlement Land Policy, the Investment Governance Policy and the Consultation Policy Statement are voted on in the beneficiary referendum.