Editor’s Note: a previous version of this story misstated the amount of money the FSIN was ordered to pay the federal government. It has been updated to state the figure presented by Indigenous Services Canada is $28.7 million.
The chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) says he believes his organization followed appropriate financial procedures and is willing to pursue legal action after being asked by the federal government to repay millions of dollars in spending.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) sent a letter dated March 12 to Bobby Cameron and FSIN CEO Martin Paul detailing lines of ineligible and unsupported expenses totalling $28.7 million between April 2019 and March 2024.
The letter is in response to the findings of a forensic audit conducted by KPMG that reviewed the FSIN’s use of federal funding to assess compliance with terms and conditions and accountability standards.
Findings from this audit were released by the ISC last fall, noting $34 million in questionable transactions.
“We fully believe that we don’t have to repay a dime, so that’s what we believe,” Cameron said at a news conference on Monday.
In a statement to Global News, ISC confirmed it sent the letter to FSIN, adding that it has processes in place to ensure public funds are managed in accordance with funding agreements.
“Indigenous Peoples, and all people in Canada, deserve accountability for the use of public funds,” the statement said.
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Following an audit, the ISC said it communicates its findings to the funding recipient and later works with them on any recommendations and “potential recoveries.”
“We are unable to disclose whether any sanctions or monetary recoveries are being pursued, as this information relates to contractual obligations between Canada and the audit recipient,” the ISC said in its statement.
In the letter, the ISC provided a table of ineligible and unsupported expenses found in the audit.
COVID-19-related expenditures make up most of the unsupported costs, totalling more than $23.2 million. The ISC said in its letter that this spending line was largely due to a lack of documentation to validate purchases of personal protective equipment, along with their delivery and distribution to First Nations.
The FSIN, which represents 74 Saskatchewan First Nations, held a news conference in Saskatoon on Monday, inviting only Global News and one other news publication.
At the conference, Cameron defended his organization’s spending, saying it was to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.
“We want to say we did it for the proper reasons, the right reasons, and we’ll continue to do it that way, as the Creator sees fit,” he said.
“We have strict financial approvals that we follow from day one, and that’s what we believe.”
Other areas of major spending that were deemed ineligible for federal funding include administration costs, totalling over $1.9 million, and $800,000 for a new office building.
“This is a direct shot at all First Nations and organizations when they say you can’t spend your admin dollars on certain things,” Cameron said.
The letter also notes that fleet vehicles totalling $1.2 million were purchased using administrative fees and not under programs through which the purchases would be eligible.
In the itemized list of spending, 21 vehicles were purchased between 2021 and 2023, ranging in price from $28,000 to $77,000.
Cameron said these purchases reflect the mileage travelled with the vehicles.
“You’ve got to understand, we probably put 10,000 kilometres a month on any given month,” he said. “The roads that we drive on are pretty brutal at times. The suspension really takes a hit.”
Rob Louie, founder and president of the Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada, shared the letter online after a whistleblower provided it.
Louie said the letter reconfirms his ongoing concerns.
“The numbers don’t lie,” Louie told Global News in an interview.
“If this happened at the Saskatchewan government or any other white organization, you know that heads would roll, people would be fired, and people sure as heck would not be re-elected back into that organization.”
The forensic audit was prompted after ISC’s assessment and investigation services branch received allegations about a lack of transparency over FSIN’s expenditures, including COVID-19 and travel, as well as payments made to a former employee and other claims.
The FSIN has until April 2 to respond to the ISC or dispute the calculations of the audit, according to the letter.
Fn gets over 34 billion tax payers dollars annually, for what who knows, where it goes , who knows, no accountability
How does it feel Bobby? They did it to us , and we lost in Court, Please use your paid lawyers, not the tax payers funds.Tiniki
🤣😅🤣
Canadians are well past fed up with the Government giving the Indians our hard earned tax money.And calling me a racists means nothing to me
The indigenous peoples of Canada have everything given to them on a silver plate. They should be held accountable for this and pay it back to show they can’t get away with taking advantage of the government and Canada or things will get out of hand more so then it already has….
Corruption is what the chiefs specialize in. Do not allow them to fight this with my tax money. Would this be considered racist? To them it is. It’s their number one go too.
Olivia
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Canada needs to drop this, such a bad look trying to claw back COVID 19 support. This comment section is shamefully racist
Financial management has always been a concern. The commitment to it is weak. Gov’ts are afraid to push.
The annual money spent to fix water filtration plants in northern native FN communities is also mind bogling. Qualified Canadian engineering firms informed them at least 20 years back that many rezervations absolutely need to be relocated to higher ground, up stream of current locations. Nothing severe maybe a 30 km relocation. It mitigates trying to get quality water atop muskeg bogs. And avoiding the annual predictable spring floods. But oh no the Natives mumble concerns its always been the homestead there since the Elders. No other viable solutions from them. But huge gripping and temporary relocations or “Emergencies” consistently each and every spring. Oh yes declare more stupid ass but costly mitigation, but never get serious about fixing the real problems. Well guess what. The villianous white communities are not all that white anymore.
More $$$$ after more land grabs these rich chiefs should watch themsleves,
not everyone is turning their suppposed illegal guns, and there’s still lots of wild cowboys that arent dead just yet.
Don’t you know, it’s racist to ask for an accounting of cash sent to an indigenous group.
Is the common saying Indian giver
That is all FN does. I hope they lose their cases this time!!!!
Finally the government is catching on! They need to review many more discrepancies
Finally! The government is realizing they are being taken to the cleaners. Hope they do some more digging!
Again, first nations, miss using funds, blaming everybody else and going to courts with lawsuits for more money that the Chiefs miss use they need to be held accountable. Every penny should be counted for.
A community that doesn’t contribute but takes takes takes.
nothing will ever change.
Fn will continue to abuse the system, and Canadians will continue to refuse to hold governments accountable.
Non-indigenous citizens of Canada are fed up the mismanaged funds given to the natives.The free ride needs to be shutdown ASAP.If they want to be treated as equals start pulling your weight.They receive handouts while the rest of us are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table.
About time the government of pens it’s eyes.tired of paying for these losers.
As a non First Nations, I try hard to respect and understand this culture that seems to want to vilify me on the only land I was born on. But you can clearly see the paradox when you read statements such as “If this happened at the Saskatchewan government or any other white organization…”
Auditt everything as of this point especially chiefs at the casino every other night spinning huge numbers we see you we see everything.
people should become accountable for their actions.
When all else fails- do as “the Creator” sees fit.
🤣 of course you will….the Colonial court system correct? Just be glad real Canadians aren’t running this country , because with all the respect I have for the native community, there’s no special rights & tax free living in this country based on century old history. Its today, dont care about what should’ve or didn’t. We won , its Canada move on , like every other culture should and most have. We dint start going back
It’s about time for accountability of taxpayer money.
I worked with a glazier years ago who went on reserves replacing broken windows. When he asked about the several rusting kitchen appliances in the back yard he was told simply: when it stops working we heave it off the deck, call the band office and order a new one.
My ass works so big chief can live good life.
We need to stop paying money for concurred land. If this foolishness continues here I will seek payments from William, Duke of Normandy, for the Norman Conquest in 1066 which saw King Harold II killed which was the end of the Anglo-Saxon rule in England. Ya, it’s just as foolish as what is going on here in Canada.
Good …. indigenous have been abusing their so called rights for years especially in using status cards ….
There definately should be some accountability but let’s be honest about the way first nations have been treated in this country for many many years and do not forget that the government of Canada agreed by treaty to share the land and resources with fn’s so when we say taxpayer dollars we should remember that our government agreed to share those dollars and for many years shared very little, just say’in
What a joke trying to defend the millions and millions and millions of tax dollars that get just handed over to do whatever they want with. Offended by an audit. Every single dollar over the last 50 years should be accounted for. Disgusting
The same thing happens on the reserve level of politics all across Canada. Please investigate the chief n councilors on the reserve level. In Pabineau First Nation my whole family is rejected any job opportunities. I watch non native contractors work their equipment steadily while my equipment sits. It’s a sad situation here.
They stab themselves in the back continuously. Money goes to natives to help better their communities and lives, but the chiefs end up keeping the money and buy themselves new cars and toys.
Where do you think that money came from? Us native people have a very large trust account. Actually Canada owes that fund for taking that money for there buildings.
Pay it back or cut them off. Hold anymore money going their way. If it was me that owed it you would freeze my accounts take my house shoot my dog
Pay it back
Over 34 billion tax payers dollars given to fn initiatives annually. That’s your tax payer dollars wasted.
They should be put in jail , it’s called fraud. Look up extortion meaning . It fits what these people do , they should be investigated and charged accordingly. Reconciliation is over and done with, treat them equally like ever other person in this country gets treated . Get rid of undrip and dripa . Make fn pay for searching in dumps and archeological surveys.
Classic Government of Canada. Will wait till the last moment to screw you with debt… happened to thousands of Canadian claim their CERB payments were ineligible when in fact they were.
These guys have the same pr team as trudeau. We did it for the kids. Maybe get the WE charity involved. Whitey gets taken for a ride on the guilt train again.
Of course they’re going to appeal. At this point, they probably have more ready cash than our government.
This is taxpayers money which needs to be repaid. And if there has been fraud committed, charges and punishment are expected.
Unaccounted native transfers? Billions. Prove me wrong.
SSDD
“I believe”, ” We believe” These people knew exactly what they were doing. And they continue to do so.
Accountability Please!!!
Cheater! You should be ashamed!
How about some accountability to taxpayers for once. Harper was spot-on about this issue
Time for courrption to end