By Claire McFarlane
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Cabin Radio
An employee at a national non-profit is accused of fraud involving more than $6 million in public funds earmarked for Indigenous Guardians programming.
The First Nations National Guardians Network, or NGN, provides funding, networking, training and education opportunities that support First Nations-led stewardship and sovereignty.
In a Thursday email seen by Cabin Radio, the non-profit – which administers funds from the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change – told operators of Guardians programs it had found “evidence of a sustained pattern of unauthorized financial transactions that appear to have been made by a member of staff.”
An investigation identified suspicious transactions over a period of months, NGN stated.
“As soon as this fraud was detected, the NGN Council promptly notified the police and other authorities, and we are cooperating fully with ongoing investigations,” the email stated.
NGN said it is pursuing legal action to recover misappropriated funds.
The immediate impact on Guardians programs across the country is not clear. NGN told operators: “This is a complex legal matter, and it may take time for all the details to emerge.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website, 90 Indigenous Guardians projects were funded through NGN in the 2023-24 fiscal year, including six in the Northwest Territories.
That year, NGN funded projects involving the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, K’ahsho Development Foundation, Délı̨nę Got’įnę Government, Dehcho First Nations, Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation and Tłı̨chǫ Government, totalling nearly $900,000.
ECCC will ‘facilitate future funding’
In an email to Cabin Radio, a spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada confirmed NGN had informed the federal government of the allegations.
“ECCC took immediate action while respecting the ongoing court proceedings, including by expanding its own routine audit of the First Nations Guardians Network,” the spokesperson wrote.
The spokesperson said the department, instead of NGN, will now “facilitate future funding distributions to First Nations guardians under the department’s programming.”
“First Nations Guardians play an essential role in caring for lands, waters, and wildlife, and in supporting community priorities such as conservation, monitoring, and climate resilience,” said the spokesperson.
“ECCC recognizes the importance of this work and remains committed to supporting First Nations-led stewardship.”
NGN could not be reached for comment prior to publication.