The gates at the FSIN office in Saskatoon (submitted)

By Susan McNeil

Forensic audit

Chief of James Smith Cree Nation renews call for FSIN transparency

Jul 14, 2025 | 5:34 PM

Months after first speaking up, James Smith Cree Nation Chief Kirby Constant has once again issued a call for increased transparency in how the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) spends its money.

Constant’s main complaint stemmed from information that during the COVID-19 pandemic, FSIN took in $6.5 million in funding that was supposed to be spent on things like PPE, but it only allocated $5.5 million.

“This is not a personal criticism. It is a principled call for responsibility,” Constant stated in a news release on July 14. “If FSIN wants to continue trying to represent our Nations on the national stage, it must first demonstrate that it is willing to be accountable to the people who gave them that mandate.”

FSIN is under audit by Indigenous Affairs Canada, with initial findings sent to the FSIN for response several weeks ago.

Sources have told paNOW that over $20 million is unaccounted for.

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The source explained that any revisions required in the report will be made on July 7, and the next meeting for final findings is scheduled for July 28. The final report will go to ISC Deputy Minister Gena Wilson for approval by Aug.4.

Meanwhile, Constant’s news release pointed out that these types of issues and leadership silence result in trust in the FSIN being eroded.

“It is difficult to stand for fairness, transparency and inclusion when our own representative body is contributing to a culture of uncertainty and untrustworthiness,” said Constant. “When leadership remains silent, it weakens the collective strength of First Nations advocacy.”

His efforts to get clarity and information have been a challenge, something he believes is part of a larger issue with the FSIN.

“While First Nations across this province are working to build strong and self-determined communities, we are also facing national legislation like Bill C-5 that threatens Indigenous rights and bypasses meaningful consultation,” said Constant. “In these moments, we need strong and vocal representation from FSIN. Unfortunately, that has been missing.”

He would like FSIN’s leaders to address the audit findings openly when they are available and to say how they plan to restore trust.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susan.mcneil.bsky.social