Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation Chief accused of financial crimes to face trial

Chief Scott Eashappie of Carry The Kettle Nakoda Nation, who is accused of financial crimes, will stand trial. Donovan Maess reports.

The Chief of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation in Saskatchewan will face a trial after a judge’s decision Monday.

Scott Eashappie was arrested on March 5, 2025, in relation to an “ongoing financial crime investigation” by the File Hills Police Service.

He was charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, money laundering and breach of trust.

During Monday’s proceedings, Judge Lane Wiegers decided Eashappie will stand trial for the fraud charge. However, the breach of trust offence has been dismissed and the Chief will instead face one count of breach of trust by a public official under Section 122 of the Criminal Code.

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The theft and money laundering charges were adjourned to be decided by the Court of King’s Bench.

Monday’s decision followed a preliminary hearing at Regina Provincial Court.

A preliminary inquiry is a judicial hearing used in serious criminal cases to determine whether the evidence assembled by the Crown against an accused person is sufficient to proceed to trial.

While the testimony provided during the hearing was given under oath, details and evidence are protected by a publication ban.

Judge Wiegers ruled there was sufficient evidence to proceed.

The court’s decision does not account to either innocence or guilt, only that a rightly charged jury could reasonably find a verdict on the basis of the evidence presented during trial.

Eashappie is set to make his next court appearance on March 20 for pre-trial matters.

RELATED STORIES:

• Fraud case involving Carry the Kettle chief delayed, band members concerned
• ‘People are confused’: Carry the Kettle band members left with more questions after Chief arrested
• Chief of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation arrested for financial fraud

With files from Caitlin Brezinski and Angela Stewart