The Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada (BMAAAC) has filed Federal Court applications against Wahpeton Dakota Nation and Peepeekisis Cree Nation, seeking orders aimed at increasing financial transparency and accountability.
According to the applications filed Wednesday, the organization and individual band members are asking the court to require the First Nations to comply with provisions of the First Nations Financial Transparency Act and their financial administration laws.
The applicants are seeking court orders requiring annual audited financial statements to be made available, disclosure of chiefs’ and councillors’ remuneration, the establishment of finance and audit committees, and opportunities for band members to participate in the annual budgeting process.
According to the BMAAC the requested information could help determine whether further legal action, including potential breach of fiduciary duty claims, is warranted.
The allegations contained in the applications have not been proven in court, and neither First Nation has filed a statement of response.
BMAAAC has recently attracted attention for its calls for greater financial accountability at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations following a federal forensic audit that identified millions of dollars in unsupported or improperly documented spending.
The organization says these latest court applications are part of its broader effort to improve financial transparency and governance within First Nations.