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 manages 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, following allegations of potential misuse of public funds.

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As of 2019, Indigenous Services Canada reported providing FSIN $141,096,331.90.

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

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

Due to privacy concerns, the department has not confirmed any details about the audit.

Arcand said that FSIN’s treasury board – of which he is a member – lacks accountability and transparency, and funds are not being used properly as a result.

He also claimed that millions of dollars were spent on unnecessary positions.

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

“It’s a lot of money and we don’t have transparency about who it is for our bosses.”

Arcand also claimed that treasury board members 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 need to clear up. We need to be accountable and transparent just like every other council out there. This is an advocacy organization that needs to show real accountability, leadership and real transparency,” Arcand explained.

“At this point, we’re hoping this forensic audit shows what’s going on with the appropriate measures.”

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

Arcand presents his concerns just two days before the FSIN holds its elections.

He said there are many within the organization who are unaware of the mismanagement he alleges.

“A lot of grassroots people don’t know that and they need to know that,” 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’re not transparent with it, we have to hold people accountable.”

Arcand said he brought his concerns to Chief Bobby Cameron, the leader of the FSIN, but he believes people are keeping things quiet.

Arcand said his calls for greater transparency are not an attack on anyone.

“The forensic audit is 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 FSIN and Chief Bobby Cameron for a response to Arcand’s claims, but did not hear back prior to publication.

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