Financing the Songhees Nation Wellness Centre

Abstract

In this case, students are introduced to Christina Clarke, the director of operations for the Songhees Nation in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2011, Christina was responsible for raising $24 million for a Songhees Nation Wellness Centre. After raising $7 million, Christina still had a funding gap. She suggested to the Songhees Chief and Council that their community begin paying sales tax on select items, thereby creating an on-going revenue stream that could secure a bank loan to finance the remaining $17 million. As the tax exemption under the Indian Act is an important right for First Nation peoples, Christina’s recommendation of a First Nations Goods and Services Tax was met with much hesitancy and concern from elected councillors and the Chief – an option that they did not want to recommend to the members of their community. Christina had to decide how to push forward her agenda.