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National Indigenous News October 15 · National Indigenous Newscasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: This is a look at your National Indigenous News.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Daryl Stranger.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Indigenous Services Canada is making good on its notice to collect over$12 million from Saskatchewan's largest First Nation organization following a forensic audit of its spending.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: The department first released details of the KPMG audit in September of 2025, revealing troubling questions about how leadership at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations was handling federal funds intended for specific programs.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: At the time, the KPMG auditor found the FSIN could not adequately justify how it spent the vast majority of the$47 million in transactions from ISC's program funding over a five-year period, though the outstanding amount was later whittled down through a series of appeals and disputes.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: Now, after nearly a year gently asking for its money back, the ISC appears to be taking the gloves off.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: In a letter to the FSIN executives Wednesday, Director General Rob Harvey revealed the sharp outlines of his department's teeth.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: Harvey formalizes the outstanding$12.4 million in transactions as a debt owing to the Crown, warning ISC will begin withholding any current and future funding to the organization to offset the debt if the FSIN did not pay in full by November 13th.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: The FSIN responded late Wednesday with its own threat of legal action.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Quote, while ISC considers its process concluded, the FSIN strongly disagrees and does not accept the decision nor the financial amount of twelve million three hundred and seventy six thousand eight hundred and seven dollars, being claimed as ineligible and as such has commenced legal action.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: The statement from FSIN said The FSIN claims that in a line-by-line discussion in June, the organization had earned a major concession from the ISC's negotiation team that wasn't included in the final tally.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: In a statement, FSIN chief Bobby Cameron says the ISC may see this matter as concluded, but for him and the FSIN, it's not over yet.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: Major Projects CEO Don Farrell told First Nations in BC Wednesday that the frustrations expressed over a lack of consultation on the Pacific Link pipeline made her feel like Canada is never going to work, but her office is determined to try to be better.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Farrell was addressing the BC Assembly of First Nations at its annual general meeting in Vancouver.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Media were asked to leave the room before Farrell's appearance, but the meeting continued to be publicly streamed on the BC Assembly of First Nations YouTube channel.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: First Nations in BC are calling on Ottawa to set national standards for Indigenous consultations on major projects.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: They say they were given just 11 working days to review and engage on whether the proposed Pacific Link pipeline should be designated as a project of national interest.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: The standard, they say, should include minimum procedural protections, including protected timelines for consultations before decisions are made.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Farrell said she agrees with the concept of national consultation standards, but she wondered how much standards would work alongside the government's accelerated timelines for project approvals.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: On Wednesday, Farrell also acknowledged adequate consultation was key for seeing a project be successful.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: Chiefs are set to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the country's premiers in Ottawa later this month, and major projects are expected to be a major topic of debate.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: The interim commissioner of Indigenous Languages will serve in the role for another month as the Canadian Heritage Department continues to search for a permanent replacement.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: Candace St.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: Aubin, a former senior assistant deputy minister of strategic policy with Indigenous Services Canada, was supposed to serve in the role for 90 days or until a new commissioner was appointed.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: A cabinet order updated October 7th extends her appointment for another 31 days or until she is no longer needed in the role.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: The order is effective as of October 12th.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: The term of Ronic Nasse, the previous commissioner, ended in July along with the terms of the office's directors.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: The Canadian Heritage Department said in a media statement the process to appoint a new commissioner was launched in February.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: It also said Saint Aubin's term is being extended to ensure stability and leadership for the office while the selection process is finalized.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: That's a look at your National Indigenous News.