Important Notice About RHT Per Capita Distribution (PCD) Payments

We understand that many Members have questions or concerns about why they will, or will not, receive an RHT Per Capita Distribution (PCD) payment. This notice is intended to clearly explain who is eligible for a payment, why only some Members receive one, and why others do not.

Why the HIFN PCD Trust Was Created
The HIFN PCD Trust – RHT Annuities Settlement was created by HIFN Council to distribute a maximum of 1,327 one-time PCD payments to eligible HIFN Members (1,206 Original Enrolled Members plus 121 additional PCDs approved by Council to include Members whose registrations were completed shortly after the Trust was settled).

Because the Trust was funded to pay the 1,206 registered Original Enrolled Members as of September 9, 2023, along with 121 additional PCDs for Members who became registered after September 9, 2023, not every post-September 9, 2023 registered Member can receive a payment.

Who Is Eligible to Receive an RHT PCD
Payments are issued only to Members who fall into one of the following categories approved by Council:

1. Original Enrolled Members

To qualify for a PCD under this category, an individual had to be:

• alive, and
• enrolled as an HIFN Member

as of September 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Based on band information and ISC’s records, it was initially determined that there were 1,206 Original Enrolled Members. However, in attempting to establish contact with these individuals, it was discovered that ISC’s records were not fully up to date and the initial list included 78 individuals who were not alive on that date. The final total of Original Enrolled Members entitled to PCDs was 1,128, all of which have been paid out (except for minors whose funds are held in trust). That left 199 PCDs to be distributed to the other categories of entitled members.

2. Recent Enrolled Members

These are individuals who:

• were recorded as alive on, and
• were enrolled as HIFN Members

as of April 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Individuals enrolled as HIFN Members on April 1, 2024 were included in the Trust Deed as Recent Enrolled Members to receive the PCD because they were Members before the Trust Deed was signed.

There were 50 Recent Enrolled Members who received a PCD (or are minors whose funds are held in trust), leaving 149 PCDs to be distributed to Late Enrolled Eligible Members.

3. Late Enrolled Eligible Members

This category recognizes individuals who, as of September 9, 2023:

• were alive;
• were entitled to be enrolled as an HIFN Member;
• made application to be enrolled as an HIFN Member either to ISC or to HIFN before December 31, 2024 (but their application had not yet been processed); and
• notified HIFN on or before December 31, 2024 that their application had been submitted to ISC, with proof thereof.

Members who met all four conditions were placed on a waiting list, in priority order based on the date and time their documents were received by HIFN. There were 149 PCDs available to distribute to individuals who were or are granted membership in this category. To date, 77 PCDs have been paid out, leaving 72 remaining. There are currently 57 applications in process on the waiting list.

Based on the number of applications received which satisfied all of the criteria, it is likely that 15 of the remaining 72 PCDs will not be distributed by the Trustees because of the application deadlines which have now passed and because of other criteria in the Trust Deed. This number could rise if applications of some individuals in the queue are denied by ISC. The Trustees will turn over the funds set aside for these non-distributable PCDs to HIFN when the trust is terminated.

The Trustees continue to work with legal counsel to ensure the process is being properly followed in accordance with the requirements.

Why Do Not All New Members Receive a PCD

Between April 1, 2024 and April 1, 2026, 301 new Members were added to the HIFN Membership List.

However:

• The Trust was only funded for 121 additional payments beyond the Original Enrolled Members (this number increased to 199 after it was identified that there were 78 names on the list who were deceased); and
• Only those who submitted a copy of their application to ISC and proof of their application to HIFN Trustees by way of the HIFN Trust Coordinator by December 31, 2024 could be considered for one of those limited payments.

If a Member Did Not Submit Proof by December 31, 2024

Individuals who:

• became Members after September 9, 2023; and
• did not provide a copy of their application and proof of delivery to HIFN by December 31, 2024 are not eligible to receive an RHT PCD payment.

This rule applies regardless of current membership status, and the HIFN PCD Trustees do not have the ability to make exceptions, add payments, or increase the total number of PCDs.

Summary and Key Points to Remember

• The RHT PCD is not paid to all current Members.
• Eligibility is based on specific dates and documented application steps, not length of membership or personal circumstances.
• The number of payments is capped by the Trust Deed.
• Trustees must follow these rules exactly and cannot approve additional payments.
• The Trust Coordinator does not make any decisions regarding who does or does not receive an RHT PCD.

HIFN PCD TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jennifer Ashawasegai-Pereira – Community Trustee
Alison Holmes – Community Trustee
Crystal De Leskie-Stevens – Community Trustee
Ismo Heikkila – Expert Trustee
FNB Trust – Corporate Trustee

CLICK HERE or click the image to open the 2026-05-13 HIFN PCD Notice to Members re PCD ineligibility - signed PDF