Photo: “When questions arise that involve our Nation, it is my duty to pursue the truth and ensure our membership is properly informed,” said Chief Kirby Constant. / Courtesy of James Smith Cree Nation
By Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
The chief of James Smith Cree Nation says he is seeking answers and accountability after raising concerns about how COVID-19 funding was handled by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).
Chief Kirby Constant confirmed Wednesday he sent a formal letter to the FSIN requesting documents and clarification regarding funding tied to the pandemic.
Thursday, the FSIN pushed back. In a statement, FSIN said concerns raised by Chief Constant are not new and have already been addressed through internal governance processes.
Constant said in an open letter to members, “As chief, I have a responsibility to protect the interests of our nation and to ensure transparency and accountability when our nation’s name is referenced in matters involving public funds,”
The request follows a 2025 summary report by Indigenous Services Canada based on a forensic audit conducted by KPMG. The report found the FSIN received $30 million in COVID-19 funding between April 2020 and March 2023.
According to the audit, $26.5 million was reviewed, with only $3 million deemed eligible. More than $23 million in spending was categorized as questionable in the audit.
At the centre of the concerns is $6.5 million allocated for personal protective equipment (PPE) for Treaty 6 First Nations, which was to flow through the FSIN to James Smith Cree Nation.
Constant said he has been unable to determine whether the funding was properly reported or accounted for.
“I have been raising concerns about the FSIN and COVID-19 funding since taking office,” he said.
The chief is requesting several documents, including funding applications, the contribution agreement, reporting records and the full KPMG audit.
The letter also raises questions about decisions made in 2020 under then-chief Wally Burns.
According to the letter, the FSIN approved $5.5 million for PPE procurement, which was directed to a numbered company owned by Carrie Liddy.
Wire transfers were authorized in December 2020 by FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron and Chief Financial Officer Denise Pelletier.
Constant raised concerns about Liddy’s business dealings, citing prior litigation and the movement of $1.5 million to another venture. He also noted there were no records of purchase agreements between the FSIN or James Smith Cree Nation and the company.
Constant said additional questions remain unanswered, including whether any PPE was received, why the nation paid $240,000 in storage fees for expired supplies, and how $1 million in administrative fees retained by the FSIN was used.
“Our people deserve honesty and transparency,” Constant said. “When questions arise that involve our nation, it is my duty to pursue the truth and ensure our membership is properly informed.”
He said updates will be shared once a response is received.
FSIN reacts
According to FSIN, Chief Constant has received all relevant documentation related to COVID-19 funding allocations, procurement processes and distribution systems. The organization said those records clearly outline how funds flowed and how PPE was used during the pandemic.
FSIN added it remains unclear why concerns persist, given what it described as a high level of transparency and detail already provided.
The organization said it acted quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic to support First Nations across Saskatchewan — including James Smith Cree Nation — ensuring access to critical supplies despite global shortages and supply chain disruptions.
“All actions taken were guided by the urgency to protect the health and safety of First Nations communities,” the FSIN release stated.
“FSIN has been consistent and transparent in how COVID-19 resources, including PPE, were managed and distributed,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “We have addressed these questions multiple times through our governance structures and have provided full documentation. It is very odd to see the same inaccurate claims continue to be raised publicly despite those efforts.”
“Our priority during the pandemic was the protection of our people. Decisions were made quickly, responsibly, and with accountability. We remain confident in the processes followed and the documentation that supports them. We encourage any concerns to be brought forward through appropriate governance channels, where they can be addressed respectfully and constructively.”