Governance Overview

TFN’s elected Chief is responsible for chairing meetings of the Executive Council, participating in the Tsawwassen Legislature, and providing ongoing strategic direction respecting day-to-day matters of Tsawwassen Government. The Chief is elected on a separate ballot at a TFN general election, and normally serves a 4-year term in office.

The Chief works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer to manage the affairs of TFN. In addition to those responsibilities, the Chief currently sits as a Board Member on the Naust’sa mawt Tribal Council. The Chief also occupies TFN’s seat at the table of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, and a seat on Translink’s Mayors Council.

TFN’s current Chief is Laura Cassidy. Laura was first elected to the position of Chief on October 15th, 2022.

The Tsawwassen Legislature is the highest body of the Tsawwassen Government. It consists of 13 Tsawwassen Members, elected at a general election, plus the Chief, for a total of 14 Members. The duties of the Legislature are to discuss and make laws, which form the fundamental organizing principles and expressions of Tsawwassen Government. As part of that function the Legislature passes an annual budget, which is a key part of the accountability structure of Tsawwassen Government.

There are normally two sessions of the Legislature each year (Spring and Fall). Each session lasts approximately 2 months; the number of meetings during each session varies, depending on the number and complexity of the bills and/or resolutions that are before the legislature during a given session. All meetings of the Legislature are open to the public.

The current members of the Tsawwassen Legislature are:

• Laura Cassidy (Chief)
• Bryce Williams (Executive Council)
• Taylor Baker (Executive Council)
• Valerie Cross (Executive Council)
• Louise Ahlm (Executive Council)
• Tia Williams-Seifert
• Dawn Williams
• Melinda Cassidy
• Loretta Williams
• Maryanne Adams
• Terri Splockton
• Kathy Genge
• Trent Genge
• Andrea Jacobs

The Squiqel (Speaker) is responsible for chairing sittings of the Legislature, maintaining order, and ensuring that legislators have a fair opportunity to speak. The Sqiuqel is chosen by the members of the Legislature during the first sitting following a general election. The Squiqel for the 2022-2026 term is Executive Councillor Valerie Cross.

TFN’s Executive Council (EC) is responsible for managing day-to-day matters and providing strategic direction to the CAO and Tsawwassen Government. Made up of the four Legislators receiving the highest number of votes in the General Election, plus the Chief, this body meets on a weekly basis. EC is also responsible for passing regulations, approving policies, and preparing laws and budget considerations for the Legislature.

The current members of TFN’s Executive Council are:

• Chief Laura Cassidy
• Bryce Williams
• Taylor Baker
• Valerie Cross
• Louise Ahlm

The Advisory Council acts as a mechanism to ensure that proposed laws, regulations, and other issues are considered by Tsawwassen Members in an open forum, prior to being reviewed by the Executive Council and/or the Legislature for approval. The Council acts as a forum to raise questions and concerns, and bring feedback from the Members to the Executive Council and Legislature on all policy and legislative directives. There are 7 seats on the Advisory Council; any Tsawwassen Member aged 13 or older can run for a seat. Elections for the Council are held during the TFN Annual General Meeting following a Tsawwassen General Election (normally every four years).

The current members of TFN’s Advisory Council are:

• Sheila Williams
• Andrea Jacobs
• Ruth Adams
• Bertha Williams
• Liana Williams
• Mabel Williams
• Jessica McCauley
• Angela Williams

The TFN Judicial Council is responsible for many matters under Tsawwassen Law. Primary functions include hearing challenges to the validity of Tsawwassen Laws, resolving disputes between Members and elected officials, making recommendations to courts on sentencing of TFN Members, investigating financial irregularities, and other duties assigned to it. This group also hears appeals of administrative decisions. It is composed of five members appointed by Executive Council, at least one of whom must be a Tsawwassen Member.

The current members of TFN’s Judicial Council are:

• Professor Bruce MacDougall – Chair
• Kathryn Deo – Legal Member
• Joven Narwal – Legal Member
• Charlene Taylor – Accounting Member
• Andrew Bak – Tsawwassen Member