AFN money woes are shown the door

Despite working with a 15 per cent decrease in revenue from 2009, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) say they have worked hard to stretch their dollars and even managed to end their fiscal year with a surplus.

With a year-end of March 31, the AFN recorded revenue of  $212,095, which is a stark contrast from the organization’s 2009 year-end deficit of $1,629,402.
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Regional Chief Rick Simon, who is the co- chair of the AFN management committee, said the AFN made a conscious effort to decrease spending, which included cutting down on salaries and benefits by $756,952.

“We have worked hard and come a long way,” said Simon to delegates that took part of the 2010 AFN General Assembly on July 20 at The Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Simon added that the AFN is on path to retiring their longstanding debts.

AFN Financial Chief Ruth Jackson said the surplus is a result of a 25 per cent reduction in expenses to help pay down on the accumulative deficit.

The financial statements show that the organization is on track to paying off their long-term debt, which currently rests at $478,361, within the next four years.

The organization, which represents over 600 First Nations, tightened its belt by scaling down the travel and meetings budget at more than $2 million. Jackson said travel expenses were significantly trimmed by taking advantage of conference calling instead of in-person meetings.

Promotional materials and advertising expenditures was nearly cut in half from 2009.

Cutting back was a necessary step for the AFN, which experienced a $3.2 million decrease in revenue from Health Canada and no contribution from Canadian Heritage, who was responsible for $374,721 of the revenue in 2009.

“We’ve been very successful in changing the dynamic of our government despite less money to work with,” said Simon.

Simon co-chairs the management committee with Manitoba Regional Chief Bill Traverse, who was absent from the 31st annual general assembly due to a death in his family.