The Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council says First Nations in the province should not be on the hook for any money the FSIN may need to pay back to the federal government.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand held a press conference Monday morning where he called for accountability and reform at the FSIN.
The calls come amidst a federal audit from Indigenous Services Canada that is asking the FSIN to pay back over $28 million for ineligible or unsupported funding.
The FSIN has maintained they have done nothing wrong and have said they may take the matter to court.
Chief Arcand, however, believes the FSIN has not been transparent with First Nation chiefs.
Arcand serves on the FSIN’s treasury board and says they have not had any meetings to talk about the forensic audit from Canada.
“We have yet to hold a Treasury Board meeting to clarify exactly what FSIN’s financial situation is following the serious concerns raised by this audit,” said Arcand. “This is unacceptable.”
Arcand says chiefs in Saskatchewan have not been fully informed of the financial situation.
“They (First Nations chiefs) are the owners of this corporation and its bizarre to me you would not be transparent to your owners with this information because they need that to make the best decision for the organization.”
Arcand is calling on a complete governance review of the FSIN.
The STC Chief was joined by Thunderchild First Nation chief Dalbert Wapass at the press conference. Like Arcand, Wapass has been a vocal critic of FSIN since the audit was first made public two years ago.
Wapass served time as an FSIN Vice-Chief from 2003-2009. He feels he has never experienced a lack of accountability and transparency like this from the organization before.
“I have never seen it this bad during my time as a vice-chief,” said Wapass.
Last week, the FSIN provided an “exclusive” interview to Global News as a response to the demand for payback from ISC. During that interview, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said they are considering legal action.
Both Arcand and Wapass questioned where Chief Cameron received direction to threaten taking the issue to court.
“Where did that mandate come from,” asked Wapass. “Where is the discussion that needs to be had where we are all voicing concerns on how we should be moving forward as First Nations.”
The two men also emphasized their feelings that no First Nation in this province should be on the hook for any money the FSIN may need to pay back to the federal government.
Meanwhile, the FSIN released a statement on Monday morning calling previous statements from Tribal Chief Mark Arcand over transparency and accountability at FSIN “categorically false.”
The FSIN also accused many who criticized the organization over this issue to be “politically motivated.”
Both Arcand and Wapass said on Monday they had no interest in running for election at the FSIN.
The full statement from the FSIN is available here. – FSIN MEDIA RELEASE – MARCH 30 2026 – RE COMMENDING STAFF
In the meantime, the FSIN has until this Thursday April 2, to provide an official response to the request for payback from Indigenous Services Canada.
An FSIN Chiefs assembly is also scheduled for April 14 and 15 in North Battleford.
(Top Photo-STC Chief Mark Arcand and Thunderchild First Nation Chief Dalbert Wapass speak at a press conference at the STC Head Office in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick)