The Thunderbird Trust
News & Announcements
Audit 2019 & AGM 2020
The 2019 audit has been completed and will be made available upon request. The 2020 AGM has been postponed (tbd).
1st Prize $300 – Jamie Alvord
2nd Prize $200 – Patricia French
3rd Prize $150 – Eva Jewel
4-7th Prize $100 each – Kristen Hendrick, Sally Gauthier, Victoria Hawksworth & Velma Moore
COVID-19 Office Closure & other measures
Thunderbird Trust offices are now reopen but no drop in visits allowed at this time. Contact the office to set up an appointment if your needs cannot be addressed over the phone. Strict protocols for the safety of staff and members are in place and will be enforced.
Trustee Meetings
Currently we are using Bell Conference Solutions, email and looking into other options like the Zoom app! Until we are able to resume in person meetings this will be the way we do business.
2021 COVID-19 Relief Fund Application
New applications are being accepted. Please click on the button below to submit an application. The Deadline for applications is June 25, 2021
Economic Projects
While the world around us keeps moving, we help keep our community moving. No economic funds in 2020.
Benevolent Purposes
We are mandated to invest into the education, health and history of Chippewas of the Thames, and for the future generations to come.
Now Available:
The ThunderBird Trust Spring/Summer Newsletter
Where the Trust began
We are the beneficiaries of our ancestors
On March 27, 2015, several amendments were made to the Trust, including a name change. Formally, the Clench Fraud Trust, a community vote approved of the “Thunderbird Trust”.
There were other amendments authorized in the 2015 vote such as, “The Trustees agree to hold the Trust Property in trust for the Beneficiaries…”, and clarifying that the settlor of the Trust is Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. However, the new amendments went on to clarify that the beneficiaries held the legal right, title and interest in all the Trust property.
Today the Thunderbird Trust continues to operate under the rules of the Trust Agreement, guided by community processes and professional advisors. As was with our ancestors, we continue to consider our past, our present and seven generations ahead.
“the Thunderbird trust is a community trust- it is here to benefit the people from our community.”
Thunderbird Trustees
Trustees Past and Present
Since 2004
Because the original claim avoided the question of land rights and land ownership, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) agreed to the financial terms of the land claim settlement. Establishing a Trust on behalf of COTTFN members was agreed to in a community vote that required the majority of the voting population to agree. The trust is administered by appointed community and community council members.
Investing in people and our community
communication is key
Transparent Spending
Making Progress Together
We hold annual community meetings to review our audit and take recommendations. We also host community meetings when amendments are proposed, or other things that may have an impact on the Trust.
As part of our commitment to the community, we contribute to housing, economic development, benevolent projects and emergency funding.
Understanding The Trust
Community Meetings
Approving Amendments
We Learn How Work Together For Each Other
Efforts to improve the Trust Agreement are community efforts. We exercise transparency by making updated information available to all members of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
important things you should know
Questions And Answers
Theoretically, yes the Trust does have a termination date. However, the termination date is set for twenty years after the last surviving member of Chippewas of the Thames passes away.
The Thunderbird Trust Agreement governs the trust, which was ratified by the nation’s members at a referendum. The province of Ontario have jurisdiction over statute laws, which governs the trust as well. Provincial income tax laws also apply.
The Investment Policy Statement provides the investment managers the guidelines and restrictions on how the money must be spent.
The Investment Policy Statement is a document approved by the trustees that outlines to the investment manager how the money is to be invested.
The current elected trustees must ensure the trust laws are followed. The Trustees follow the governing policies that are in the trust agreement.
Any investments in stocks and bonds require taking risks. The Investment Policy Statement gives the ranges in which the investment manager can trade on the stock market in Canadian, U.S., and international markets. If they go outside these parameters The Clench Fraud Trustees can take action against Ridgewood Capital Asset Management for breaching the Investment Policy Statement.
Rodgers Consulting provides advice on trust matters and serves as the watchdog on the work of the investment managers.
Investments of capital cannot be used to loan money to the First Nation. Income generated can be dispersed as a loan to the First Nation and charged an interest rate for borrowing. Promissory notes given to the First Nation are not considered loans and normally would not be charged an interest rate.
Trustees for 2019/2021
- Austin Henry, Chair
- Megan Huff, Vice Chair
- Monty McGahey II
- Michelle French
- Leona Grosbeck
- Michelle Burch
- Terri Fisher