Esk'etemc - Specific Claims
About the Specific Claim for Tsqewt (Wycott's Flat)
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Updated September 29, 2025
The Investment Committee continues to meet bi-weekly and held its sixth meeting via Zoom on September 3, 2025. The Committee met with RBC Dominion Securities to hear their presentation for Esk’etemc’s investment options. The Committee had additional discussions regarding the creation of an Investment Policy Stat
Updated September 29, 2025
The Investment Committee continues to meet bi-weekly and held its sixth meeting via Zoom on September 3, 2025. The Committee met with RBC Dominion Securities to hear their presentation for Esk’etemc’s investment options. The Committee had additional discussions regarding the creation of an Investment Policy Statement for the Minors Trust, drafting a report that will be shared with the Esk’etemc Council on work completed to date, and finalizing the Investment Committee Terms of Reference.
At its seventh meeting on September 17, 2025, the Committee held an all-day in-person discussion at the Esk’etemc Administration Boardroom. They met with members of the BMO Global Asset Management team to begin work on the Investment Policy Statement for the Minors Trust. The Committee also discussed the role of the Esk’etemc Council representatives on the Investment Committee. This meeting was also attended by Otis Hiltz, Director – Indigenous Trusts (BMO) and Specific Claims legal counsel, Stan Ashcroft. Otis and Stan shared their knowledge and experiences working with Legacy Trusts and how other communities have invested their capital, i.e.. What has worked and what to avoid. The Investment Committee is working to ensure due diligence is done to protect Esk’etemc’s investments and interests.
The Committee had the opportunity to meet with Kukpi7 Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) on September 24, 2025. Kukpi7 Willie shared how the WLFN is using the interest revenue dollars from their Specific Claim settlement to create grant and loan programs for WLFN members, invest in post-secondary education for its membership, and focus on attracting qualified workers who will assist in building capacity for their current staff. This is just a small part of the information that Kukpi7 Willie was happy to share. The Committee appreciates the willingness of the WLFN to provide insights and “lessons learned” from their settlement fund planning.
News and Updates
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Updated September 29, 2025
Beginning with the first Tsqewt payment date of August 7, 2025, up to the latest payments processed on September 25, 2025, Esk’etemc has now issued payments to 869 adult members. As the Tsqewt settlement funds are on deposit with BMO (separate from the Esk’etemc general bank accounts at RBC), the finance staff ha
Updated September 29, 2025
Beginning with the first Tsqewt payment date of August 7, 2025, up to the latest payments processed on September 25, 2025, Esk’etemc has now issued payments to 869 adult members. As the Tsqewt settlement funds are on deposit with BMO (separate from the Esk’etemc general bank accounts at RBC), the finance staff had to overcome the learning curve of a new online banking system. We are happy to share that the Tsqewt PCD payment process with BMO is now streamlined, allowing payments to be processed regularly.
All eligible minors on the Esk’etemc membership list, as of July 4, 2025, are enrolled in the Minors Trust. The only possible exceptions are those minors whose applications for membership were sent to Indigenous Services Canada prior to July 4, 2025, but are still being processed. If a minor is subsequently added as a member, their $25,000 distribution share will be sent to the Minors’ Trust Administrator, BMO Trust. There has been some confusion regarding the minors who have turned 18 since August 21, 2025. Please be informed that Esk’etemc minor members who turn 18 years old are required to complete and submit a Tsqewt Distribution Payment Application, along with the accompanying direct deposit form, to receive their payment. Esk’etemc does not keep banking information for our minor members; therefore, the information needs to be submitted. Payments for those Esk’etemc minors turning 18 are not automatic.
For those Esk’etemc members who would like to open a BMO bank account to receive their Tsqewt payment, please send an email to specificclaims@esketemc.ca so that the team can assist you. Unfortunately, it is not possible to just walk into any BMO branch to open a bank account. The team requires information on what kind of personal identification you currently have in order to assess your needs properly. From there, we can help with making an appointment to attend your local BMO branch to open a bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tsqewt Settlement Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated September 29, 2025
Have a question?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the Specific Claim reviewed September 29, 2025, found here at www.seculecwem.ca/faq
We also invite you to email your questions to specificclaims@esketemc.ca where we will respond to your questions and add the questions and answers to our FAQ document.