Blog
A Municipal Perspective
There are many challenges that come along with providing services to communities. While each community is unique, there are some challenges that are shared across First Nations in the province and even the country. In delivering services, First Nation...
read moreA Memorandum of Understanding to Get You Started
In a previous post, we talked about the importance of the Communication Clause in your MTSA. It helps make sure you and your service partners are communicating regularly during the life of your MTSA. However, in some cases, you may need a communications...
read moreIns and Outs of Legal Review
MTSAs are legal documents. A lawyer is very helpful in the MTSA process. Their role is to ensure that what is in the MTSA is legally sound—meaning that it is consistent and clearly lays out the roles and responsibilities of each service partner, and the...
read moreDeveloping a Communication Clause
A strong MTSA has a solid communications clause. But, what does this look like? What are the benefits? What are the potential pitfalls? This blog post will help answer these questions. What is a communication clause and why do you need one? A communication clause...
read moreMunicipal Type Service Agreement (MTSA) Checklists
We’re excited to share our newest resource: MTSA Checklists. The Pathways to Service Delivery Guide and MTSA Handbooks were created to provide accessible information on negotiating and preparing effective MTSAs. The new MTSA Checklists will help you and your service...
read moreYour Service Provider’s Perspective: Five Things Municipalities Think About Before Signing MTSAs
In February, we shared the story of Dr. Rosalin Miles and her experience as a new Band Administrator negotiating the MTSA process. She gave some great insights into what First Nation Band Administrators should know before reviewing their service agreements. This...
read moreStories of Collaboration: Our Favourites
Over the past year, we’ve shared weekly stories of First Nations collaboration with local governments. While focused on MTSAs, these stories cover a broad range of topics related to work between First Nations and municipalities. Cooperation and partnerships can bring...
read moreMTSAs in Action: A Conversation with Dr. Rosalin Miles on Lytton First Nations’ Service Agreement Reviews
Developing and reviewing municipal type service agreements can be an overwhelming experience and the process can raise many important questions, such as: How are services delivered? What are my community’s obligations? What are the obligations of our partner...
read moreHow to choose a term for your agreement – and how to end it when things change
You’ve decided to enter into a contract with a neighbouring municipality for the provision of services to your community. You know what services you need, you know where they are needed, you know who to engage to make it happen, and you know how to get what you need –...
read moreThe Municipal Type Service Agreement Assessment (MTSA) Tool
For first timers, the process of developing a service agreement can be complex and intimidating. You likely want to reach a deal that is fair, strong and meets the needs of your community. But how do you know if the service agreement you are negotiating is fair, or...
read moreAnnouncing New Resources: Handbooks for Developing Municipal Type Service Agreements
When this blog started, the goal was to provide First Nations and local governments with stories and advice focused on the process of developing municipal type service agreements. These agreements are integral to many First Nation communities, providing members...
read moreUsing The Cost Calculator
Preparing to negotiate a service agreement with your neighbouring community can seem like an intimidating task for any First Nation. You may have read in a previous blog post, ‘Knowing Your Municipal Service Needs…And What’s Possible’, that the best place to start is...
read moreBuilding Relationships and Understanding Perspectives
Lake Babine First Nation and the Village of Burns Lake have shown a strong commitment to building understanding between their communities, having negotiated four service agreement over the past few decades. Both communities agree they now have a strong relationship...
read moreUsing the Community to Community (C2C) Forum to Build Relationships
Strong relationships are built on trust and understanding. Something as simple as a conversation, face-to-face dialogue, is often the most impactful way to begin building trust and understanding. For First Nations and local governments in BC, finding the time and...
read moreKnowing Your Municipal Service Needs…And What’s Possible
Understanding exactly what it is your community needs is the first step in negotiating a service agreement. However knowing the “what” only scratches the surface as to your community’s complete needs. For example, you may know that you need more housing for members...
read moreTop 10 Tips for Negotiating a Service Agreement
Life is in essence a series of negotiations. A daily activity that many of us don’t even realize we are doing. And yet, when formally labelled as a “negotiation”, the act can still incite anxiety and discomfort. Negotiation is essentially a dialogue between two...
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