New Relationship Trust 2016 Strategic Plan is now available

Press Release

INTRODUCTION

The New Relationship Trust (NRT) was created in 2006 as a response to the call for a new relationship between First Nations and the government of BC. In its inaugural year, NRT set the stage for a future strategic direction by engaging with First Nations communities around the province regarding their needs and priorities. Subsequent Regional Engagement sessions were held in 2009, 2012 and 2015.

NRT’s Strategic Plan is directly based on community feedback, which has consistently established a clear mandate and strategic direction for NRT. In particular, NRT is directed to:

Ensure the fund is available to support future generations by balancing spending with investment; and

Support capacity building for First Nations communities in five priority areas:

»»Governance Capacity »»Economic Development »»Language & Culture »»Education

»»Youth & Elders

The 2016 – 2019 Strategic Plan builds on the successes of NRT to date, with both ongoing and new initiatives under each of the five strategic areas of priority.

Annual spending remains at $6 million for 2016/17 and has been reduced to $5 million per year in 2017/18 and again in 2018/19. The reduction reflects both the anticipated downturn in the market and the expressed intention of NRT’s Board and stakeholders that the fund be available for as long as possible – ideally in perpetuity.

The bulk of NRT spending — roughly 87% — is dispensed through initiatives that directly impact communities. NRT will maintain our goal of keeping administration costs to less than 2% of our annual investment portfolio value.

NRT continues to spend income earned from investments and a portion of the principle.

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