The Committee of the Whole is a forum where all members of Haisla Nation Council convene to discuss and deliberate key issues impacting the Nation. This committee provides an opportunity for more in-depth discussions on policies, programs, and initiatives before formal decisions are made at regular Council meetings. Through the Committee of the Whole, Council members review matters such as governance policies, strategic planning, community engagement, and major projects. The committee fosters open dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that decisions reflect the best interests of the Nation.

The Finance and Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial management, budgeting, and auditing processes of the Haisla Nation. This committee ensures that the Nation’s financial resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with its strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities of the Finance and Audit Committee include:

• Reviewing and recommending annual budgets for approval by Council.
• Monitoring financial performance and ensuring accountability in financial reporting.
• Overseeing audits and risk management processes.
• Providing guidance on financial policies and procedures to ensure fiscal responsibility.

This committee plays a critical role in safeguarding the financial health of the Haisla Nation and ensuring resources are used effectively to support the community’s growth and well-being.

The Human Resources Committee provides oversight and strategic direction on human resource matters within the Haisla Nation Council administration. This committee ensures that HNC maintains fair, equitable, and effective employment policies and practices that align with the Nation’s values and long-term objectives.

A key responsibility of the Human Resources Committee is leading the management of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)—the Council’s one direct employee. The committee provides oversight, performance evaluations, and guidance to ensure the CAO effectively executes Council’s strategic vision and operational priorities.

Additional responsibilities of the Human Resources Committee include:

• Reviewing and recommending HR policies and procedures.
• Ensuring compliance with employment laws and best practices.
• Providing oversight on compensation, benefits, and workforce planning.
• Advising on leadership development, staff recruitment, and retention strategies.
• Supporting the development of a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment.

Through its work, the Human Resources Committee strengthens the organizational capacity of Haisla Nation Council, ensuring that employees are supported and empowered to deliver high-quality services to the community.

In alignment with elected Chief and Council's dedication to provide membership opportunities for engagement, and considering time constraints when tackling agenda items, discussions at our 2024 Council Retreat led to a proposal that was agreed upon at the December 2024 duly convened meeting. This proposal involved adding a second meeting date to the monthly schedule. The goal of this approach is to ensure that there is ample time for both membership discussions and for addressing time limitation concerns.

Haisla Nation Council is the elected decision-making body that sets the overall direction of the Haisla Nation in organizational and community planning.  One committee has been established as a branch of Haisla Nation Council which is the Committee of the Whole (COTW).

The Committee of the Whole (COTW) serves as an intermediary body, ensuring that the organization's operational functions are running effectively and to a satisfactory standard. The role of the COTW is to set expectations and monitor the performance of the Administration.  The COTW is accountable to elected Chief and Council, and primary responsibilities include developing and proposing recommendations to Council and tracking the performance of the Administration, ensuring expectations are being met. Agenda items passed at COTW level will be addressed at duly convened meetings.

Haisla Members are welcome to attend any duly convened council meeting.  For those who do not wish to attend but would appreciate a meeting summary, summaries for all duly convened meetings will be released electronically for Haisla membership via the membership portal on haisla.ca and the private membership Facebook page.

The schedule for the meetings is noted below – please note dates are subject to change:

To submit a letter/email to council or to request a Microsoft Teams meeting invite please email the Clerk to Council. There is a process for letter/email submissions and emailing the Clerk to Council is the first step in the process. The Clerk to Council will acknowledge receipt of all submissions and will follow up again once the submission has been addressed.

Contact details for Duane Grant, Clerk to Council are as follows:

Email: dugrant@haisla.ca                         Phone: 250-639-7626

Thank you.

Members are encouraged to write to Council with any suggestions or concerns. Here are the steps in the process for writing to Council.

• Letters are given to the Clerk to Council in-person, by e-mail (dugrant@haisla.ca)
  or by fax (250-632-2840).
• The Clerk will acknowledge receipt of the letter.
• Senior Management will review the letter and will follow policy in that department.
  If needed the letter will be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole.