Mark Arcand calls on FSIN to be more transparent following federal audit

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, head of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, is calling on the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) to be more transparent in how it handles its finances.

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.

READ MORE:

• Indigenous Services Canada confirms plans to publicly release FSIN forensic audit report
• Federal government launches forensic audit of Saskatchewan First Nations group
• FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron seeking re-election for fourth term

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

“The department takes allegations and complaints regarding the misuse of public funds very seriously,” the organization said in a statement released in March.

“To that end, the department has put a process in place to ensure these allegations and complaints are examined properly and that appropriate action is taken.”

Because of privacy concerns, the department has not confirmed any details about the audit.

Arcand said 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.

“This is a situation we have to clear up. We have to be accountable and transparent, just like any other board out there. This is an advocacy organization that has to show true accountability, leadership and true transparency,” Arcand explained.

“Right now, we hope this forensic audit is showing what’s happening with proper measures.”

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.

Arcand is bringing his concerns forward just two days before the FSIN holds its election.

He said there are many within the organization who don’t know about the mismanagement he’s alleging.

“A lot of the grassroots people don’t know this, and they need to know this,” the tribal chief said. “At the end of the day it’s about full transparency, because this is Canada’s money, it’s First Nations money, and if we aren’t transparent with it we’ve got to be holding people accountable.”

Arcand said he has brought his concerns up to Chief Bobby Cameron, the FSIN’s leader, but he thinks people are keeping things quiet.

Arcand said his calls for greater transparency aren’t an attack against anyone.

“The forensic audit is being paid for by Canada, so that tells me they have a concern,” he explained.

“Every citizen should have a concern. Every grassroots First Nations people should have a concern.”

Arcand also endorsed Aly Bear as his preferred candidate in the upcoming FSIN election.

650 CKOM reached out to both the FSIN and Chief Bobby Cameron for a response Arcand’s claims, but received no response prior to publication.

When asked about the audit in March, shortly after the news first broke, Cameron declined to comment.