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By Kenneth Cheung

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Ottawa orders forensic audit of Poundmaker Cree Nation

Aug 19, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Poundmaker Cree Nation is the latest Saskatchewan First Nation to undergo a forensic audit of its finances by Indigenous Service Canada (ISC).

ISC confirmed the review is taking place but declined to provide details due to respect for privacy.

“We do not comment on specific forensic audits beyond confirming if one is being undertaken,” the department said in a statement to battlefordsNOW.

It added that such reviews are part of its efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, alongside internal audits, evaluations and financial reviews.

Earlier this summer, ISG also launched a forensic audit of James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN). That review, being carried out by KPMG, is examining expenditures dating back to 2018, including funding tied to Jordan’s Principle, child family services and prevention.

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Chief Kirby Constant of James Smith welcomed the process and urged members to co-operate fully, calling it an opportunity to address concerns about past spending.

“If there’s misdoings, there’s misdoings, and then we will deal with it appropriately,” Constant said. “But if there’s nothing, then our members can at least know our previous leadership did not do any misappropriation or any of our admin staff or anyone like that.”

The company that conducted JSCN audit is the same one that reviewed the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), an audit that was initially discussed in March of 2024. Preliminary findings, which were not publicly released, reportedly flagged over $20 million in spending.

battlefordsNOW has reached out to the Poundmaker band office to seek comment from Chief Duane Antoine but has not received a response.

Antoine’s leadership has previously faced scrutiny. In 2013, he and several other Poundmaker officials reportedly pleaded guilty in connection with the misuse of Treaty Land Entitlement trust funds.

He received a suspended sentence, probation, community service and restitution after payouts were made from funds meant for land purchases. Despite the conviction, he later returned to political office and remains chief.

It is also publicly known that Poundmaker disassociated from FSIN in 2022.

– With files from paNOW’s Nigel Maxwell

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com