Chief Kirby Constant. (Tine Pelletier Photography)

By Nigel Maxwell

Financial transparency

‘Our community deserves answers and accountability’: James Smith Chief asks FSIN to explain missing $1 million for pandemic supports

Oct 30, 2024 | 5:00 PM

On the eve of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) election, and almost 24 hours after Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand made some allegations concerning the FSIN’s misuse of money, another Saskatchewan chief is coming forward with questions.

In a letter to band members, and obtained by paNOW, James Smith First Nation Chief Kirby Constant noted concerns regarding the handling of COVID-19 relief funds that were intended to support multiple First Nations communities, including his own.

He explained they have confirmed that $6.5 million, not $5.5 million, was initially allocated from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to flow through FSIN for the benefit of James Smith Cree Nation and other communities.

“However, only $5.5 million was ultimately transferred to a numbered account, leaving $1 million unaccounted for at FSIN,” he stated.

Constant goes on to note how the discrepancy is especially troubling, given the personal assurance he received from FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron that the organization had not withheld any portion of the funds nor taken any administrative fees.

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“If FSIN indeed flowed the full allocation directly to the numbered account for PPE procurement, then this missing $1 million must be explained. Numerous emails I have sent to FSIN regarding this matter have gone unanswered and unacknowledged. It is deeply concerning that FSIN has yet to demonstrate the transparency, accountability, and honesty expected of an organization entrusted with such responsibilities,” Constant stated. “If these are indeed the foundational pillars of FSIN—honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability—then they are not being upheld in this situation.”

Constant then goes on to explain none of this funding—intended to support James Smith Cree Nation and other communities during the pandemic—ever reached his community. This included the administration fees, which at 15 per cent would have provided $975,000 in critical support for COVID-19 response efforts.

“Our community deserves answers and accountability. We will continue to demand transparency to ensure fair and rightful access to resources for all communities involved”.

Indigenous Services Canada is currently conducting a forensic audit of the Federation, examining the period from April 1, 2019, to March 15, 2024 after allegations around the potential misuse of public funds.

Since 2019, Indigenous Services Canada said it has provided $141,096,331.90 to the FSIN.

Mark Arcand claimed on Tuesday the FSIN’s treasury board – which he is a member of – lacks accountability and transparency, and funds are not being used properly as a result. He also claimed millions of dollars have been spent on unnecessary positions.

“We have consultants – they spent $11.4 million in one year,” said Arcand, citing an FSIN personal audit from 2023.

“That’s a lot of money, and we don’t have transparency about who those are to our chiefs.”

Arcand also claimed that members of the treasury board spent $40,000 on a four-day trip to Las Vegas for a meeting. He said those who went on the trip only met for five hours in total.

Despite not going on the trip himself, Arcand said he was sent a per diem cheque in the mail for over $200. He said he was surprised to see the cheque, and said he returned it.

When asked about the audit in March, shortly after the news first broke, Cameron declined to comment. An attempt on Wednesday by paNOW to contact the FSIN did not receive a response prior to publication.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell