Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron is distancing himself from the organizations handling of a forensic audit. Cameron was tight-lipped about the FSIN’s response to Indigenous Services Canada during an event Monday, “It’s not over yet. I’ll say that that much,” Chief Cameron said. “We don’t know when it’s going to be finalized, so that’s pretty much all I can say about it.” On Aug 20, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Mandy Gull-Masty said her office was still awaiting a response from FSIN about a forensic audit calling for $28.7 million to be repaid. The audit originally flagged more than $34 million in potential misspending over a five-year period from 2019 to 2024. Following back and forth between the parties, a letter was sent in March to Cameron calling for the money to be repaid. Ottawa said the FSIN had until Apr. 2 to provide adequate proof of spending to lower the $28.7 million repayment. Despite missing the deadline, Cameron told reporters the FSIN has made contact with ISC. “You know our staff is doing all that. I’m not involved with intricate details. So, all I know is that it’s not finalized and completed,” Cameron said. Monday was a rare opportunity for media to speak with Cameron, who has rarely been available for interviews since the audit was revealed nearly one year ago. Of the items listed in the audit, more than $23 million of the flagged spending was COVID-19 related funding. $2 million of administrative spending was deemed ineligible, and more than $1.2 million used to buy new fleet vehicles was also ruled ineligible. During the review period, 22 vehicles were purchased for more than $1.3 million. The ISC report says the entire executive team bought new vehicles, twice, roughly a year and a half apart - exceeding the approved amount. FSIN has maintained there’s a disagreement of the interpretation of the funding agreements, and not a misuse of funding. When asked when a resolution with Ottawa could be reached, Cameron provided no additional clarity. “Oh, geez. Your guess is as good as mine.”
