Spô’zêm | Spuzzum First Nation

The Spuzzum First Nation is a small Indigenous community located in the Fraser Canyon area of British Columbia, with deep historical connections to the local landscape and traditional territories.

POPULATION
545
Rank #485 nationally
GEOGRAPHY
6.5 KM²
Rank #449 nationally
BAND COUNCIL TERM
06/13/2028
Term Expiration
Conflict Score
Community Profile

Overview

Last Updated 2026-03-27 20:43:07 UTC
Name
Spuzzum (ISC Code: 708)
Former Names
Spuzzum Band, Lower Fraser Band
Band Style
First Nation
Cultural Area
Fraser Canyon
Indigenous Language
Nlaka'pamuctsin (Thompson Language)
Number of Registered Members
545
Phone Number
Fax Number
Address
SITE 3, C 11, RR 1, YALE, BC
General Email
Not Available

Band Council

Governance Type
Not Applicable
Chief
JANICE KUESTER
Term Expires
06/13/2028
Number of Council Members
2

DIANA STROMQUIST

Councillor

📧 Email not available
📞 Phone not available

JANICE KUESTER

Interim Chief

📧 Email not available
📞 Phone not available

Administrative Contacts

Financial Overview

SPUZZUM FIRST NATION FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (Ending March 31, 2024)

================================================================================

DISCLAIMER: This financial summary was generated using artificial intelligence
based on publicly available audited financial statements and has been reviewed
by a human analyst. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, users should
verify critical information against the original audited financial statements
prepared by Ribeyre CPA.

================================================================================

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Spuzzum First Nation generated total revenue of $3,970,823, down 1.8% from the
prior year, while achieving an annual surplus of $905,527, down 26.7% from
$1,235,578 in 2023. The Nation holds accumulated surplus of $9,395,643 and net
financial assets of $6,312,803, representing increases of 10.7% and 18.4%
respectively. Cash position increased significantly by 46.6% to $5,040,635,
while long-term debt declined 7.2% to $1,086,830. Revenue diversification
improved through increased funding from First People Culture Councils ($388,000)
and Government of Canada programs ($639,353), reducing reliance on Indigenous
Services Canada transfers which decreased from 67.5% to 43.9% of total revenue.
Operating margin remained healthy at 22.8%. The Nation's financial position
continues to strengthen with growing reserves and declining debt obligations.

================================================================================

FINANCIAL POSITION

Total Assets: $9,476,443
- Financial Assets: $8,006,200 (includes Cash: $5,040,635)
- Tangible Capital Assets: $3,057,139
- Property Under Development: $0

Total Liabilities: $1,693,397
- Long-term Debt: $1,086,830
- Accounts Payable: $115,940
- Deferred Revenue: $490,627

Net Financial Assets: $6,312,803 (up 18.4% from prior year)
Accumulated Surplus: $9,395,643 (up 10.7% from prior year)

================================================================================

REVENUE & OPERATIONS

Total Revenue: $3,970,823 (down 1.8% from prior year)

Major Revenue Sources:
- Indigenous Services Canada: $1,743,128 (43.9%)
- Government of Canada: $639,353 (16.1%)
- First People Culture Councils: $388,000 (9.8%)
- Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society: $357,480 (9.0%)
- Province of BC: $337,781 (8.5%)
- Other income: $314,166 (7.9%)
- New Relationship Trust: $260,000 (6.5%)
- Rental: $102,115 (2.6%)
- First Nations Education Steering Committee: $96,466 (2.4%)
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: $81,912 (2.1%)
- First Nation Health Authority: $65,760 (1.7%)
- Investment income: $31,546 (0.8%)
- Property tax revenue: $21,183 (0.5%)
- Sto:Lo Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training: $21,252 (0.5%)
- Deferred revenue recognized: ($489,319) (-12.3%)

Total Expenditures: $3,065,296 (up 9.2% from prior year)

Major Program Expenditures:
- Finance and administration: $953,227 (31.1%)
- Social development: $422,371 (13.8%)
- Education and training: $411,953 (13.4%)
- Health: $348,874 (11.4%)
- Community infrastructure: $278,643 (9.1%)
- Other: $261,097 (8.5%)
- Economic development: $251,276 (8.2%)
- Special claims: $124,677 (4.1%)
- Program funding: $11,813 (0.4%)
- Taxation: $1,365 (0.0%)

Annual Surplus: $905,527 (down 26.7% from prior year)
Operating Margin: 22.8%

================================================================================

KEY FINANCIAL METRICS

- Financial Assets to Liabilities Ratio: 4.7:1
- Debt-to-Assets Ratio: 11.5%
- Self-Generated Revenue: 17.7% of total
- Cash Reserves: 19.7 months of operating expenses
- Business Entity Profits: Minimal equity earnings from investment partnerships

================================================================================

CHIEF & COUNCIL REMUNERATION

Name Position Remuneration Expenses Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hobart Chief $65,950 $16,424 $82,374
Angela Mitchell Councillor $61,354 $1,257 $62,611
Diana Stromquist Councillor $30,450 $3,888 $34,338

Total Governance Compensation: $157,754 (4.0% of total revenue)

================================================================================

Source: Audited consolidated financial statements, Ribeyre CPA, March 27, 2025

Band Owned Corporations

No Content Available

Location Map

Reserves

  • ISC Code: 7385
    SKUET 6
    4.7 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, ON LEFT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE SOUTH OF ALEXANDRA BRIDGE
    [49.6980037, -121.4055983]
  • ISC Code: 7388
    SADDLE ROCK 9
    32.0 Hectares
    YALE DIST SECS 6&7,TP8,R25, SECS 1&12, TP8,R26,W.6M ON RIGHT BANK OF FRASE RIVER AT SADDLE ROCK C.P. STATION
    [49.631086, -121.3936572]
  • ISC Code: 7374
    SPUZZUM 1
    125.3 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT ON RIGHT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, SOUTH OF AND AT MOUTH OF SPUZZUM CREEK
    [49.6603017, -121.4163156]
  • ISC Code: 7386
    SPUZZUM 7
    46.1 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, ON LEFT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE NORTH OF STOUT C.N. STATION
    [49.6555393, -121.3969284]
  • ISC Code: 7382
    YELAKIN 4A
    64.7 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, EAST OF FRASER RIVER, EAST OF AND ADJOINING I.R. NO. 4
    [49.75007069999999, -121.4095365]
  • ISC Code: 7389
    CHAPMAN'S BAR 10
    2.8 Hectares
    YALE DIST. IN SEC. 11, TP.9, R26, W.6M, ON LEFT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE NORTH OF ALEXANDRA BRIDGE T.C. HWY
    [49.7223948, -121.4231299]
  • ISC Code: 7377
    PAPSILQUA 2A
    27.7 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT IN SECTION 25, TP8,W.6M ON LEFT BANK OF FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE SOUTH OF SPUZZUM C.P. STATION
    [49.68147810000001, -121.4093922]
  • ISC Code: 7379
    TEEQUALOOSE 3
    7.7 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, WEST OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE NORTHWEST OF SPUZZUM C.P. STATION
    [49.70335610000001, -121.424815]
  • ISC Code: 7378
    PAPSILQUA 2B
    20.3 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT SEC. 36, TP.8,R.26,W.6M, ON LEFTT BANK OF FRASER RIVER, 1/2 MIL E. OF SPUZZUM C.P. STATION
    [49.69143099999999, -121.4045238]
  • ISC Code: 7375
    SPUZZUM 1A
    126.5 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, WEST OF THE FRASER RIVER, SOUTH OF AND ADJOINING I.R. NO. 1
    [49.6508924, -121.4193902]
  • ISC Code: 7381
    YELAKIN 4
    26.8 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, ON LEFT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF BLACK CANYON
    [49.7491898, -121.4195135]
  • ISC Code: 7383
    LONG TUNNEL 5
    2.6 Hectares
    YALE DIST IN SEC 14,TP.9,R26,W.6M, ON RIGHT BANK OF FRASER RVR 2 MILES N. OF ALEXANDRA BRIDGE T.C. HIGHWAY
    [39.9449868, -105.8172316]
  • ISC Code: 7387
    STOUT 8
    47.9 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, ON LEFT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF STOUT C.N. STATION
    [49.6332373, -121.3865127]
  • ISC Code: 7380
    TEEQUALOOSE 3A
    60.4 Hectares
    T\YALE DISTRICT, ON RIGHT BANK OF THE FRASER RIVER, AT ALEXANDRA BRIDGE, TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY
    [49.7092424, -121.4228913]
  • ISC Code: 7384
    LONG TUNNEL 5A
    35.9 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT IN SECS. 14&15, TP.9,R.26,W.6M, WEST OF AND ADJOINING I.R. NO. 5
    [49.7332881, -121.4440835]
  • ISC Code: 7376
    PAPSILQUA 2
    16.6 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT, IN SECS 25&36, TP.8,R.26,W.6M, EAST OF FRASER RIVER, 1 MILE SOUTHEAST OF SPUZZUM C.P. STATION
    [49.6861091, -121.4022345]

Media Reports

Academic Research

Band Publications

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Third Party Reports

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