‘I’ve never, ever seen it this bad’: More calls for FSIN accountability from First Nations Chiefs

The Saskatoon Tribal Council is calling for accountability from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations as Ottawa tries to claw back $29 million.

Two Saskatchewan chiefs are calling for added accountability and reform at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) following an audit calling for $27.8 million to be repaid.

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand was joined by Thunderchild First Nation Chief Delbert Wapass at a news conference Monday where the pair talked at length about the governance structure of FSIN, it’s silence on potential misspending and the need to change its ways to salvage its reputation moving forward.

“We don’t know what’s going on — We don’t,” Wapass said. “I’ve never, ever seen it this bad.”

Arcand said the FSIN, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, hasn’t held internal discussions with many of its chiefs to explain the findings of a federal audit from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). He expects the organization to be accountable to its people, and says change needs to happen to keep vital funds flowing to First Nations.

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Arcand says while FSIN is a non-profit, FSI Inc. is the trustee for FSIN’s finances, and its board consists of FSIN executives.

“FSIN is not a government. There’s only 74 governments in this province,” Arcand said in regards to First Nations.

“The chief and the vice chiefs are reporting to the board, which is themselves. So, basically it’s police investigating police, which we all say is a problem.”

A letter from ISC addressed to FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron on March 12 reviewed its forensic audit performed by KPMG. The audit period from 2019 to 2024 initially found $34 million as unsupported, ineligible or questionable spending in September.

Through meetings with FSIN over the fall, ISC’s believes $28.7 million should be repaid – split between $4.8 million in eligible spending and $23.9 million listed as “unsupported.” FSIN has until Thursday to provide further justification to reduce the repayment amount.

Arcand and Wapass believe the executive is withholding information from chiefs and acting in self-interest. They’re not confident the FSIN will be able to reduce the final number. Arcand says many First Nations are underfunded as is, and he fears the FSIN and First Nations won’t have the means to pay the federal government back.

“The First Nations of Saskatchewan should not pay for this at all, but they are going to pay for it because our people are not going to get the services from this organization,” Arcand said.

The FSIN has previously said it defends its right to use administration fees as own-source revenue “just like any non-First Nation government or organization.” Wapass said Thunderchild is looking to actively avoid funneling money through FSIN and instead wants to rely on a relationship with ISC to access funding because he believes FSIN isn’t generating its own revenue.

“We’re doing our accounting back home to see if anything is owed to Thunderchild First Nation,” Wapass said.

Both men said they want to believe FSIN claims that funding was spent correctly with adequate documentation, but until all is revealed to chiefs, they’re taking ISC’s findings seriously.

Last week, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said he would go to court to defend the FSIN if necessary. Arcand replied Monday by asking “with whose money?” Alternatively, Wapass welcomes a court case. He thinks that could force Cameron into putting these claims and proper financial information on public record.

“How do you excuse $28.7 million when that’s just a sample?” Wapass said. “Maybe we should go to court and then that will give the federal government the excuse and the opportunity to look at all the books and to do a full accounting of the expenditures of FSIN, because that’s what the court case will do.”

Wapass and Arcand praised federal minister Mandy Gull-Masty for her office’s efforts to audit the FSIN. Both men reiterated they have no intention to run for FSIN chief or vice-chief.

The FSIN issued a media release on Monday saying comments made recently by Arcand are damaging to its organization, and statements saying there is no accountability or transparency are “categorically false.”

“This situation has the potential to impact relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders who rely on accurate information when working with First Nations organizations. It is essential that public dialogue be based on complete information and reflect the full context of the audit process,” the FSIN said in its news release.

Arcand says reform is needed to help prevent further damage to the FSIN, but with Cameron and other vice-chiefs serving on multiple boards across the organization, an intrinsic look may be difficult, he says.

An FSIN Chiefs Assembly is scheduled for April 14 and 15 in North Battleford. Arcand says if this audit dispute isn’t settled by then, it should be the only item on the agenda. However, getting an item put on the agenda in advance of assembly involves a separate council, which is made up in part by executive members — making any audit discussions in North Battleford unlikely.

“That’s the governance review that has to change, and it has to change immediately,” Arcand said.