*Income Tax Returns Form - Band Members

Published: February 20 2025 10:26

Any Wasoqopa'q First Nation Band Member wishing to file their income tax return please bring your paperwork to the nearest Wasoqopa'q First Nation Office

(This service will be provided to Members free of charge.)

  DOWNLOAD FORM (653 KB)

Notice to Band Members from Chief & Council

Published: February 15 2025 10:40

February 15, 2025

Dear Band Members,

On Thursday February 13, 2025, the RCMP made arrests on the Gold River Reserve of certain individuals who were involved in private cannabis stores. These investigations and arrests were done by the RCMP, not by Wasoqopa'q First Nation. The RCMP does not need the permission of Chief and Council to exercise their federal policing powers. Chief and Council were not involved in these RCMP arrests.

Last year, Chief and Council sought input about cannabis stores on our reserves from our Band members through a survey. A majority of Band members did not support the operation of private cannabis stores on our reserves. The cannabis stores that were raided by the RCMP were not licenced or approved in any way by Wasoqopa'q Chief and Council. There is no process to verify what is being sold from them, and whether what is veing sold is healthy for customers.

On Thursday afternoon, in apparent reaction to the RCMP arrests, some individuals broke the law by overtaking our Gold Nugget store and gas bar. Physical assaults and other crimes were committed. Some of those who were involved are being investigated for further offences. The Gold Nugget store and gas bar are owned by a company. The company is owned by our First Nation as a whole and not individual Band members.

On February 14, 2025, several protestors illegally blocked our staff from entering the store and prevented it from opening. Some of those stopping our store from operating had already been banned from the business by store management.

e Gold Nugget store and gas bar remain closed. That closure hurts our First Nation, as many of our members work there and Band members rely on the store for their needs including fuel and food, which they are now being denied.

There is, in any democracy, a right of peaceful protest. What is happening at our Gold Nugget store is not a peaceful protest. It is an illegal blockage of our businesses and an intimidation of and an assault on our employees.

A very few of our Band members, who were running personal business for their own benefit, are now acting to hurt our First Nation business, which then hurts all of us. Protestors are blocking our business, scaring our customers and disturbing the location where our after-school program takes place and now has to close. These illegal activities have to stop.

- Wasoqopa'q First Nation Chief and Council

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Job Opportunity | Cashier | AFN Entertainment Centre

Published: February 12 2025 11:08

Employment Opportunity

CASHIER

JOB DESCRIPTION

• To maintain a secure and comfortable environment for staff and customers
• To guard against theft and vandalism
• To maintain order and enforce regulations
• To receive and record payment from customers
• To provide a change service for V.L.T. customers and tobacco purchases
• Fast paced environment

DUTIES

• Enforce regulations of establishment to maintain order
• Establish or identify price of goods and services and tabulate bill using cash register or optical price scanner
• Receive payment by cash, credit card or automated debit card
• Place merchandise in bags
• Calculate total payments received at the end of work shift and reconcile with total sales
• Account for shortages and overages in cash at the end of each shift
• Enforce regulations of establishment to maintain order
• Performs security checks as required
• Monitor daily activities throughout the building
• Clean washrooms, equipment, shelves, floors surrounding environment
• Stock shelves
• Greet customers and direct to appropriate area
• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Management, AFN Gaming Commission and/or Chief and Council
• Willing to take additional training as deemed necessary and provided by AFN

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 19 years of age or older
• Pleasant personality and excellent customer service skills
• Willing to work as part of a team
• Must be bondable
• Must be in good physical condition
• Must work over night shifts, night shifts, day shifts and weekends
• Willing to take additional training as deemed necessary and provided for by AFN

HOW TO APPLY

In person: AFN Entertainment Centre
10552 Highway 3, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5J7

By Fax: (902)742-5503
By Email:

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Job Opportunity | Part-time Cashier (x2 Positions Open)

Published: February 10 2025 16:17

Employment Opportunity

CASHIER

Wasoqopa’q First Nation (formerly Acadia First Nation) is governed as a custom band under the provisions of the Indian Act with established bylaws, policies and procedures. The First Nation's electoral system constitutes an election once every five (5) years with positions for one Chief and eight (8) councillors. Chief and Council elect, are the governing body responsible for making decisions for the overall health and well-being of communities, Elders, youth and families.

Wasoqopa’q First Nation is unique in its geographical composition, spread throughout the Southwestern regions of Nova Scotia spanning five counties from Yarmouth to Halifax, encompassing six (6) reserves - Yarmouth, Ponhook, Medway, Wildcat, Gold River, and Hammonds Plains, in both rural and urban settings. To support administration and business operations, Wasoqopa’q First Nation, with supporting staff, provides programs and services within two (2) Health Centres, a Youth Centre, two (2) Community Centres, six (6) administration offices, and six (6) business establishments, including economic development, education, employment, fishing, forestry, health, housing & maintenance, human resources, and social.

Wasoqopa’q First Nation owns and operates the Your Winner’s World facility located in Yarmouth, NS. The facility, provides a gas station, with fuel and furnace oil, VLT’s for entertainment, drive thru for tobacco and ancillary services, and a store front location for products and services.

POSITION OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVE

WFN is currently recruiting for two Cashier part-time positions to support the Manager in daily operations. These positions are responsible for supporting daily operations including greeting customers, and handling transactions, providing a fundamental role in achieving customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Greets customers in a courteous, friendly and professional manner within retail operations, including answering phones and addressing customer inquiries (such as products and pricing)
Receives and processes all retail payments including credit, debit and cash transactions ensuring to appropriately record prices, department, taxable and non-taxable items
Balances and reconciles daily cash ensuring cash equals receipts, responsible for shortages
Operates the scanning equipment, including scanning products, and troubleshooting scanning issues
Supports the maintenance of inventory, checking for low stock, damaged and expired products; provides updates to shift Supervisor
Assists in maintaining the storefront inventory and retail displays including cleanliness, and stocking inventory (lotto, tobacco, coolers, shelves and displays)
Maintains the coffee station for customers, including availability of coffee, products and cleanliness during shift

• Greets customers in a courteous, friendly and professional manner within retail operations, including answering phones and addressing customer inquiries (such as products and pricing)
• Receives and processes all retail payments including credit, debit and cash transactions ensuring to appropriately record prices, department, taxable and non-taxable items
• Balances and reconciles daily cash ensuring cash equals receipts, responsible for shortages
• Operates the scanning equipment, including scanning products, and troubleshooting scanning issues
• Supports the maintenance of inventory, checking for low stock, damaged and expired products; provides updates to shift Supervisor
• Assists in maintaining the storefront inventory and retail displays including cleanliness, and stocking inventory (lotto, tobacco, coolers, shelves and displays)
• Maintains the coffee station for customers, including availability of coffee, products and cleanliness during shift
• Supports the health and safety of customers and employees, to guard against theft, vandalism and fire
• Conducts the cleaning schedule assigned for retail operations during the shift, including the proper removal and disposal of garbage from containers, conducts bathroom checks, cleaning and stocking products as needed, sweeps and mops floors, cleans parking area and entranceway of debris, snow or ice, adding salt as necessary
• Adhere to all Wasoqopa’q First Nation (WFN) Policies, Procedures and necessary store procedures, as required
• Other duties, training and activities related to Cashier position, as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma with knowledge and experience with electronic equipment (e.g. cash register, scanners, money counters)
• 6 months minimum experience of customer service and/or sales experience
• WHMIS Certification is an asset
• First Aid & CPR Certification is an asset
• Occupational Health & Safety Training is an asset
• Criminal record check upon hiring

REQUIRED ABILITIES, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong multitasking skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent mathematical skills and basic computer skills, with a common knowledge of Microsoft suite tools, and Excel
• Demonstrated effective time management and problem-solving abilities in unique situations and problems while keeping positive attitude
• Strong ability to work in a team
• Ability to pay attention to small details and the ability to remember and recall things such as food ingredients
• Good interpersonal skills, organization ability, and written and verbal communication skills
• Manual dexterity, ability to skillfully use hands to prepare ingredients to use in cooking, good knife skills
• A commitment to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hours of work are expected to occur during regular business operations twenty-four hours per day, seven (7) days a week (Shifts will be provided within this timeline)
• There may be a requirement for working any shift including mornings, evenings, weekends, and certain holidays, however, majority are midnight shifts
• There are instances of lifting heavy boxes at least up to 50 lb
• Standing for an extended period of time
• A great deal of time is spent working indoors in well maintained, heated/ventilated environment with modern and up-to-date equipment

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Submit Cover Letter and Resume to **Please quote YWW Cashier# on your cover letter and indicate your salary expectations for this position.

WFN appreciates the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. WFN does not assume candidate expenses related to this recruitment process.

In accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, if all qualifications are equal, preference will be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry and if a Wasoqopa’q First Nation Band member.

Deadline to Apply: Open Until Filled

Wasoqopa’q First Nation is committed to fostering a safe workplace that provides an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment, where employees are treated professionally and with dignity and respect. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and participation as part of the WFN team.

We are a community. We make a difference.

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WINTER TIME BINGO - $10,000.00 TO BE WON

Published: January 14 2025 08:57

Location: AFN Entertainment Centre - Yarmouth
When: March 22, 2025 at 6pm (Doors & Sales open at 3pm)

Admission: $70.00
Admission Includes: 15 regular cards, 2 of each special, 3 extra jackpots, 9 bonanza, 3 minis & 2 warm ups

Limited Handhelds Available - ONLY $50.00
Package Includes: 15 regular cards, 1 of each special, 2 minis, 1 warm up, 6 bonanza & 2 extra jackpot

See advertisement for more information regarding games, intermission, pricing, location, and more...

Foster Care Recruitment Session

Published: January 14 2025 08:28

Date: January 20, 2025 at 2:00pm
Location: Wasoqopa'q First Nation Health Center - Yarmouth

Come chat with us about becoming a foster parent and learn about eligibility requirements, the process, and everything in between!