Indigenous Services Canada is carrying out a Forensic Audit in Poundmaker Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, which makes it the third audit of this type in the expense of the first nations in the province since 2024, as CBC has learned indigenous.
The audit will examine the expense in programs financed by the federal government in the last seven years, with an approach to social assistance, education and the principle of Jordan, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Indigenous CBC does not identify the source because they were not authorized to speak publicly and fear reprisals. The community is in the territory of Treaty 6 near North Battleford, about 170 kilometers northwest of Saskatoon.
In a statement, the indigenous services of Canada (ISC) confirmed that the investigation is happening, but refused to provide details.
“As part of the indigenous [Services] Canada’s efforts to guarantee responsibility and transparency in the spending of public funds, the department performs evaluations, internal audits, financial reviews and forensic audits every year, “wrote spokesman Pascal Laplante.
“We confirm that we are proceeding with a Forensic Audit by Poundmaker Cree Nation. To respect privacy, we do not comment on specific forensic audits beyond confirming whether one is done.”
The Band Administration Office was closed from August 11 to August 15 because the auditors were in the office, according to a notice published in the community administration. Facebook page.
On Monday, the Chief of Libras Duane Antoine said that the nation is not currently in a position to comment.
Similar audits
In March 2024, ISC informed the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) that Ottawa would make a forensic audit of FSIN expenses for a five -year period dating back to April 2019.
FSIN represents 74 first nations in Saskatchewan. Poundmaker cut ties with Fsin in 2022.
This summer, James Smith Cree Nation became public with concerns about the management of fsin of federal money of pandemic relief.
“Last year, James Smith Cree Nation raised concerns about a discrepancy of $ 1 million in the financing of COVID-19 that was expected to flow through Fsin,” said local head Kirby Constant in a statement on July 14.
That statement followed a June 2025 report in the local news media based in Prince Alberta Make a bridge That said, the initial findings of the FSIN audit generated questions about $ 20 million in expenses. Indigenous CBC has not independently verified that report.
Then, on July 25, Constant announced that ISC would carry out a forensic audit of his community, reviewing the expenses of April 2018.
“This forensic audit is a necessary and welcome.
Some members of the pound manufacturer have sought answers about their finances for years.
In 2015, a Poundmaker councilor asked for a forensic audit after a According to the reports, the polls were taken and burned During a selection of legitimacy in dispute.
In 2001, the department known as Indian and Northern Alles Canada (INAC) ordered an audit in Poundmaker but the band’s office was destroyed by fire The night before the audit began.
