Student Spotlight: Hester L. Breaker
Hester L Breaker, a member of Siksika Nation, works in the Lands and Resource Department, and is a 2020 graduate of the Tulo Centre’s Certificate in First Nation Tax Administration program.
I am from Siksika Nation. We are a part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which is composed of 4 First Nations; one in Montana (Blackfeet Tribe), and three (Siksika, Kainai and Piegan) in southern Alberta. The three tribes located in Southern Alberta are part of the historical numbered treaties, namely Treaty 7, signed on September 22, 1877.
Siksika is located 80 km east of Calgary. It’s primarily an agricultural and ranch grazing land base with vast natural resource reserves, as well as coal, gravel and sand deposits.
The Trans-Canada Highway runs just north of the reserve; and other Alberta highway corridors go through the reserve as well. Siksika is surrounded by several municipalities.
Before the 1800s we had about 18,000 people within the Blackfoot Confederacy. Today, Siksika has 7800 enrolled members, while two other Blackfoot Confederacy tribes have an even higher membership enrollment. Siksika resides on the second largest reserve in Canada in terms of landmass. We have 71,087.5 hectares or 175,661 acres of land, which is vast. It’s about a 50/50 split for people that reside on reserve and off reserve.
I am a mother and a grandmother, which I love. In 1992, I graduated from a post secondary institution with a Business Administration degree, majoring in accounting. It's not just having an education that matters, but what you do with it. For myself I used it as a foundation to build an extensive career path in energy, business and management related jobs.
Along my journey, I’ve continued to build on my education and work experience. In 2019, I enrolled in the Tulo Centre’s Certificate in Tax Administration program. Previous to this, in 2010, I completed the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA) program to become a certified land manager.
I enjoy what I have accomplished and what I continue to accomplish on a personal and professional level. Recently I joined the Siksika Land and Resource Management Department, which is a busy area that requires the coordination of complex internal and external stakeholders, while also managing a number of assets. Alongside this, I am also responsible for the property tax administration.
Siksika leadership has always focused on implementing a thriving economic development plan for its people, and decided to pursue partnerships in the hospitality industry. In addition, Siksika has been successful in several land-claim settlements which has resulted in significant monetary investments held in various trust funds.
The First Nation Tax Administration Certificate program helped me understand and realize the potential of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA). The FMA provides First Nations with more legislative power. With the FMA, First Nations can build their own tax regime, access low cost borrowing to build capital infrastructure, among other things.
The Tulo Centre has really supported me in a lot of ways. I really liked the program and the interaction with the instructors and my fellow classmates. It was great to go into Kamloops on a monthly basis and interact with others, learn from them, see where they're coming from with their communities and share ideas and experiences. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, family, walking and golfing. I look forward to taking on a mentor role in the future. I have a lot of work and life experience so I like to share and encourage the younger generation to strive forward in a good way for themselves and others.
