A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E C H A I R A N D P R E S I D E N TWe are pleased to present this Annual Report for the<strong>2008</strong>/20<strong>09</strong> fiscal year to our members and stakeholders.AFOA Canada has experienced significant growth this yearand we have made outstanding progress in achieving our objectives.This year also marked several key milestones and the launch of criticalinitiatives that bode well for the future of the organization and forAboriginal economic and social prosperity in this country.It is notable that these advances were made in the face of a worldwideeconomic crisis that has shaken the foundations of many organizationsin Canada. AFOA has not only withstood the economic turmoil – it hasfinished the year stronger than it has ever been and poised to build onour successes in the Association’s 10 th Anniversary year ahead.We would like to preface this report by highlighting some significantmilestones and the launch of key initiatives in <strong>2008</strong>/20<strong>09</strong>:FIRST NATION CHIEFS SIGNAL SUPPORT FORAFOA AND THE CAFM DESIGNATIONIn a historic achievement for AFOA, First Nations Chiefs passed a resolutionat the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly in July<strong>2008</strong> that marked unprecedented support for our organization and itsobjectives and a significant step forward in building management capacityin First Nations.A MESSAGEFROM THE CHAIRAND PRESIDENTIn the resolution the Chiefs-in Council recommend that First Nationmembers obtain financial and management training and pursue theCertified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation throughAFOA, and they signal their support of the CAFM as a credential whenhiring personnel in financial and management positions. The Chiefsalso expressed their support of the role that AFOA plays in enhancingAboriginal financial management and directed Indian and NorthernAffairs Canada to provide funding to First Nations for financial and managementtraining to improve skills and build capacity within FirstNation communities.The resolution is significant in that it sends the message to all FirstNations that a) in today’s environment it is critical to their success thatthey have competent, effective management in place and b) AFOA’sprograms and services and the CAFM designation are key to gettingcompetent, effective management in place.AFOA will be working closely with the AFN in the next year to movethe spirit of the resolution forward.CERTIFICATION FOR BANDADMINISTRATORS – THE NEXT FRONTIERThe health and success of First Nation communities can be directlylinked to the effectiveness and capacity of its administration. Band administratorsare key to a community’s viability and well-being. Theknowledge and skills they require are varied and extensive. Since the1970’s, the role of the Band Administrator has steadily increased in significanceand importance.Currently there is no certification that directlytargets the needs of professional First Nation administrators. AFOA believesthat it is essential that First Nation Band managers/administratorsbe supported and provided professional training through a nationalcertification process similar to the CAFM.
Since its founding, AFOA has built a solid reputation and gained significantexperience in developing Aboriginal educational and certificationprograms for financial managers. Many of our current programs and servicesmeet the capacity development needs of Band administrators.We aretherefore in a unique position to develop a certification program forAboriginal management.Several developments over this year, described in this Report, have signaledsupport from First Nations and other organizations for AFOA to leadthis initiative and have led to a decision by AFOA to begin developing aneducational and certification program for Band administrators and managersin 20<strong>09</strong>/2010.This is a very exciting challenge for the Association and one that we believewill contribute significantly to Aboriginal economic and social prosperityand to the success and growth of our organization.BUILDING SUPPORT FROMCORPORATE CANADAOne of AFOA’s key challenges remains the ability to continue to fund theAssociation’s expanding programs and services as well as finance new initiativesthat we believe will benefit our members.To address this issue, this year we began focusing our efforts on developinga business strategy to build AFOA’s profile with Corporate Canada, increasecorporate partnerships and build corporate support.AFOA struck a Corporate Relations Committee and began the process ofdeveloping a comprehensive corporate relations strategy designed to generatesignificant revenue.This strategy will unfold and be implemented in20<strong>09</strong>/2010. If successful, the strategy will open up the way to unprecedentedopportunities for AFOA.NATIONAL CONFERENCE REACHES NEWHEIGHTSThis year demonstrated more than ever that AFOA’s National Conference isthe leading Aboriginal professional development event in this country.Forthe first time in its history, AFOA closed registration for the conference toavoid exceeding capacity.Over the years the Conference has gained a reputationas the annual event for Aboriginal leaders and management to attend– for both the professional development and the networkingopportunities the conference offers.AFOA conferences focus on themes that are on the leading edge ofAboriginal management and governance issues – whether it is “TakingControl of Accountability” and a focus on objectives, performance and resultsor how Aboriginal management and leadership can work togethertowards prosperity, or as in this year, building our own Aboriginal economyand what that means in practice.The Conference attracts senior, respected Aboriginal leaders and managementpractitioners from across the country as speakers. And, after wedeal with business, the conference ends with some of the best Aboriginalentertainment in the country.We look forward to next year’s 10 th Anniversary Conference – a very specialevent that will include some noteworthy hallmarks to highlight notonly AFOA’s 10 th Anniversary, but also ten years of remarkable progress inAboriginal management and governance.TOWARDS AN ABORIGINAL FINANCIALMANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMOne of AFOA’s ultimate objectives has always been to launch an AboriginalFinancial Management degree program that will build on the CAFM designationand offer Aboriginals a unique educational and career opportunity.This year saw some encouraging developments which makes itpossible that such a Degree Program can be established by 2010/2011.AFOA has been in discussions with a number of colleges who have expressedinterest in partnering with the Association on this initiative.AFOA’S FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP –WALKING THE TALKThis year clearly demonstrated that AFOA’s own financial stewardship canbe held up as best practice for the Aboriginal communities and organizationsit serves.The financial statements were prepared in-house by AFOA’sDirector of Finance with exceptional results.The auditors did not make oneadjustment and no issues of concern were identified in the managementletter. This type of result in an audit is exceptional and proves that AFOA“walks its talk”.THE ROAD AHEAD –20<strong>09</strong>/2010 TO 2013/2014AFOA’s Board of Directors met in the fall of <strong>2008</strong> to develop a strategic planto take the organization into 2014. At the facilitated session Board membersand staff reviewed the results of a members’ survey, a report highlightingthe progress AFOA has made on its previous strategic plan, andthe strategic plans developed by Chapters.As a result of these deliberations, AFOA now has a comprehensive strategicplan for 20<strong>09</strong> to 2014 that will enable the organization to continue togrow and contribute to Aboriginal prosperity by helping Aboriginal peopleto better manage and govern their communities and organizations.We want to express our deepest gratitude to our Board of Directors, ourCommittees,our volunteers and our dedicated staff.Without their support,hard work and commitment we would not be the strong, successful organizationthat we are. Thank you also to our over 1,500 members fromacross the country.You represent the Aboriginal leaders of the future andyou will be instrumental in bringing economic and social prosperity to ourpeople.Ernie Daniels, President & COORomeo Crow Chief, Chairman3
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