Tla’amin Nation welcomes feedback from citizens, community members, partners, and the public. Hearing what is working well, and where improvements are needed, helps strengthen accountability, service delivery, and trust.
Not every concern needs a formal complaint, and not every complaint leads to an appeal. This page explains the different pathways for compliments, feedback, administrative complaints, serious complaints, and formal reviews or appeals, so you can choose the option that best fits your situation.
These processes include built-in ways to protect privacy when required.
Start Here: What Are You Trying to Do?
You may want to:
- Say thank you or recognize good work
- Share feedback or raise a service concern
- Make an administrative complaint
- Report serious wrongdoing (whistleblower)
- Challenge a formal decision through review or appeal
Each option is explained below.
Compliments and Recognition
Lifting one another up is part of our teachings. If you have had a positive experience with a Tla’amin program, service, staff member, or elected official, we encourage you to share it.
Examples:
- A staff member went above and beyond to help you
- A program or service met your needs and made a difference
- You want to recognize professionalism, extra care, or leadership
What happens next:
- Compliments are shared with the individual or department
- They may be included in internal recognition or learning efforts
Compliments & Recognition Form
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Feedback and Service Concerns
Feedback is about improving services. This is often the quickest and most effective place to start if something didn’t go as expected.
Examples:
- Confusion about a process or timeline
- Difficulty accessing a service
- A communication issue or misunderstanding
What happens next:
- Feedback is reviewed by the relevant department
- Staff may follow up to clarify or resolve the issue
- Most issues can be resolved informally at this stage
How to submit:
- Contact the department directly, or
- Use the general feedback form
Feedback & Service Concerns
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Administrative Complaints
An administrative complaint is appropriate when informal feedback has not resolved the issue, or when the concern involves how a service, policy, or administrative decision was handled.
Examples:
- You believe a policy or procedure was applied unfairly
- You were treated inconsistently or disrespectfully
- There were delays, errors, or lack of follow‑up that affected you
How administrative complaints are handled:
- Department Level
Most complaints should first be raised with the department responsible for the service. - Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
If the issue is not resolved, or involves senior staff, complaints may be referred to the CAO for review.
What happens next:
- The complaint is reviewed for fairness and compliance with policy
- You may be contacted for additional information
- A response or corrective action may be provided
How to submit:
Written complaint to the department or CAO
Administrative Complaints
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Serious Complaints and Whistleblower Reports
Some concerns are too serious for informal resolution. Tla’amin Nation has a Complaints and Whistleblower Process to ensure allegations of serious wrongdoing are reported safely, assessed fairly, and addressed appropriately.
When to Use the Whistleblower Process
Whistleblower reporting is appropriate when a concern involves serious misconduct or wrongdoing, rather than service quality or disagreement with a decision.
Examples include:
- Fraud, theft, or misuse of funds
- Abuse of authority or position
- Serious breaches of Tla’amin law or policy
- Ethical misconduct by elected officials, staff, contractors, or committee members
- Retaliation against someone for raising a concern in good faith
Who Can Make a Report
The following individuals may report wrongdoing:
- Tla’amin Citizens
- Employees
- Elected officials
- Contractors or agents
- Members of Tla’amin committees
How to Report Wrongdoing
Reports of wrongdoing should be made directly to:
- the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), or
- the Chair of the Finance Committee
This provides a clear reporting path outside regular departmental processes.
Protections for Whistleblowers
Tla’amin Nation is committed to creating an open and ethical working environment.
- Reports made in good faith are protected
- Retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or threats are not permitted
- Executive Council must make every effort to protect individuals who raise concerns
At the same time, individuals who are the subject of a report are also entitled to fair and unbiased treatment and an opportunity to respond.
What Happens After a Report Is Made
- The report is reviewed to determine the appropriate process
- An investigation or assessment may be initiated
- Corrective or remedial actions may be taken, depending on the findings
Whistleblower matters are handled confidentially to the extent possible and in accordance with Tla’amin policy.
How to submit:
Whistleblower reporting please email CAO@tn-bc.ca to get the process started.
Reviews and Appeals
A review or appeal is not a complaint. It is a formal legal process used to challenge specific decisions, where a right of review or appeal is provided by Tla’amin law.
Examples:
- Citizenship enrolment decisions
- Election challenges
- Conflict of interest determinations
- Certain land, compensation, or governance decisions
Important to know:
- Not all decisions can be appealed
- Strict timelines apply
- Application fees may apply
What happens next:
- The matter is reviewed by the appropriate authority, which may include the Review and Appeal Panel
- Written decisions are issued with reasons
Learn more: Review and Appeal Panel page
Need Help Choosing the Right Path?
If you’re unsure whether your issue is feedback, a complaint, or an appeal:
- Start with feedback or an administrative complaint
- Staff can help guide you to the correct process
- Submitting something in good faith will not negatively affect your access to services
Our Commitment
Tla’amin Nation is committed to being accessible, accountable, and respectful. Whether you are sharing appreciation, raising a concern, or exercising a formal right of review or appeal, your voice matters and will be handled with care and fairness.