Mission Statement
"The Trust's mandate is to preserve the Trust Property for future generations of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and to receiving, holding, managing, investing, allocating and otherwise any income earned by the Trust for the purposes of promoting, funding or carrying out social, community or economic development activities of direct benefit to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in."
Who we are
The TH Trust is a legal body that is separate and independent from TH. It was established for the purpose of holding and managing the financial compensation assets and business investments of TH on behalf of TH citizens.
There are several benefits for TH’s assets and investments to be transferred to the TH Trust and managed by the trustees. Firstly, these assets and investments will be protected from any debts or liabilities of TH, unless they were encumbered by TH prior to the transfer.
Secondly, since the trustees are legally obliged to manage the assets in a transparent and accountable manner in accordance with the trust indenture, they will provide the appropriate attention and oversight to the management and administration of these assets without any political interference.
Lastly, there will be significant taxation benefits for the earnings generated by the assets and investments placed in the TH Trust
Trustees and Protector
Protector
Daryn Leas
Trustees
Maureen Birckel
Kalilah Olsen
Darren Kates
Austin Taylor
Contact
PO BOX 929
DAWSON CITY, YT Y0B1G0
CANADA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Trust?
Section 1.4 of the trust indenture sets out the purpose of the TH Trust:
“The Trust has been settled to preserve the Trust Property (as hereinafter defined) for future generations of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and to receiving, holding, managing, investing, allocating and otherwise any income earned by the Trust for the purposes of promoting, funding or carrying out social, community or economic development activities of direct benefit to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.”
Who can be a Trustee?
The Trustees are Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizens who are of legal voting age. Ideally, Trustees should possess some relevant experience (investments, economics, business, finance, accounting) or have served in some capacity of trust such as an elected leader or as a Board member.
Are all TH citizens eligible to serve as Trustees?
Citizens serving the First Nation in an elected capacity or in the running for an elected position are not permitted to serve as Trustees concurrently.
Who appoints the Trustees?
The Trustees are appointed and removed by the Trust Protector.
What is the Protector and what is their role?
The Protector is responsible to oversee and supervise the management and administration of the TH Trust. This includes ensuring that the Trustees are taking prudent steps to manage and administer the TH Trust in the best interests of the General Assembly and that the TH Trust is managed in accordance with the trust indenture. If necessary, the Protector can terminate Trustees and appoint replacement Trustees.
What are the Trustees' responsibilities?
The Trust Indenture empowers the Trustees “to do any act or thing in the management and investment of the Trust which in their judgment is wise and proper and in the best interests of the Trust and to the same extent as though they personally and beneficially owned the Trust Property”.
Trustees are to delegate their investment responsibilities to professional investment managers. The trustees are responsible for appointing (terminating) and supervising the Fund’s investment manager(s), custodian and other Fund Agents such as legal advisors, auditors and consultants.
The Trustees are responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of the Investment Policy guidelines and for evaluating the Fund’s investment performance. The Trustees are charged with the responsibility of formally communicating Fund performance to the Leadership and to the General Assembly.
How often will the Trustees meet?
Meetings shall be held at least once every calendar quarter and trustees shall meet in person at least semi-annually.
What type of information will the Trustees provide to TH citizens?
The Trustees will provide the Beneficiaries with an audited financial statement within six months of the Fund’s year-end. These statements and the Auditor’s report are available from the Trust or the First Nation’s office. Bi-annually the Trust will host a citizens’ meeting to provide updated information on its investments.
Who are the investment managers?
The TH Trust portfolio is managed by Mawer Investment Management Ltd. of Calgary, and Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel of Vancouver. RBC Investor Services is the custodian of the Trust’s assets and T.E. Indigenous Services works with the trustees on governance matters.
How often will the Trustees meet with the Investment Managers?
The Trustees meet with the manager quarterly to review Fund performance. On occasion a representative of the Investment Manager will attend the TH Trust citizen information session held in Dawson City.
