BIG ISLAND LAKE CREE NATION — A group of band members from Big Island Lake Cree Nation is taking their leadership to federal court, demanding financial transparency under the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA).
With support from the Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada (BMAAAC), based in Lestock, Sask., the band members are pushing for accountability after years of alleged non-compliance.
“Together, they are asking the court that their chief and council comply with the First Nation Financial Transparency Act, which requires band councils in Canada to disclose salaries of those elected officials, as well as produce band audits every year,” said Rob Louie, BMAAAC president. “The chief and council of Big Island Lake Cree Nation have done neither since 2020.”
Louie praised confidential whistle-blowers, as well as Damera Oatchess, Lance Singer and Joanne Singer, who are the ones filing the federal court application seeking to compel their chief and council to disclose elected officials’ salaries and release annual audits, as required by law.
The case follows a landmark ruling earlier this year against Thunderchild First Nation, where the court issued 11 orders under the FNFTA.
Band members speak out
Damera Oatchess, one of the applicants, expressed frustration over what she called her community’s financial mismanagement.
“There are a lot of members that are so mad at how things are going,” she said. “As we fight against inequality and for the future of our children, we are also fighting the mismanagement and misappropriation of monies that is happening at our band office.”
Dorris Singer, a supporter of the case, said they need a positive outcome.
“We are losing our young people at an alarming rate,” said Singer. “Nothing is being done about it. Where is the money going to help our people?”
Allegations of intimidation
Louie said Oatchess filed an RCMP complaint against one of her elected officials on the band council, alleging a threat was uttered at her for bringing a financial transparency court case against the chief and council.
Big Island Lake Cree Nation is in the R.M. of Beaver River, near Pierceland, Sask.
