To the Members of Keeseekoowenin First Nation,
I want to provide our community members with an important update regarding the work that has been taking place to address our Nation’s outstanding March 31, 2024 audits, financial administration and overall governance practices.
On August 12, 2026, MNP provided me with a written update regarding the status of the March 31, 2024 audits.
There has been significant progress.
MNP Audit Status Update
- Band Operations: Accounting cleanup and audit work remains in progress and is approximately 75% complete. Additional audit information may still be required.
- Special Projects: Approximately 95% complete, with some information still
- Health: Approximately 90% complete, with draft financial statements expected to be provided to Health leadership shortly.
- Human Resources/Playcare: Approximately 90% complete. The audit has been prepared and is being reviewed.
- Education: Draft financial statements have been prepared and are ready for Chief and Council review but will be held until Band Operations is complete.
- Gaming Centre: Draft financial statements have been prepared and are ready for Chief and Council review but will also be held until Band Operations is complete.
- Gas Bar: Draft financial statements have been prepared and are ready for Chief and Council review, pending completion of Band Operations.
- Housing: Draft financial statements have been prepared and are ready for Chief and Council review, pending completion of Band
- Social Development: Draft financial statements have been prepared and are ready for Chief and Council review, pending completion of Band
- CMHC Housing: Approximately 95% complete, with the audit prepared and currently under
- Consolidated Audit: This remains pending until the individual departmental audits are
The Larger Issue Is Good Governance
While I am encouraged to see the audits progressing, community members need to understand that completing an audit is only one part of the work that has been taking place.
For many months, there has been an extensive financial and administrative cleanup required across the Nation.
Throughout this process, I have been working to ensure that Keeseekoowenin establishes stronger systems of good governance, financial accountability, transparency and departmental responsibility.
Good governance cannot simply exist on paper.
Chief and Counc·ilhave a responsibility to establish and approve policies that provide clear direction for the administration and departments of the Nation. Departments, in tum, should be operating within those approved policies and should be able to provide appropriate budgets, work plans, financial information and supporting documentation.
There needs to be a clear governance flow.
When a department proposes an expenditure, there should be an approved purpose, an appropriate budget, supporting documentation and a clear authorization process. Chief and Council must be able to understand what is being spent, why it is being spent, where the authority came from and how that expenditure supports the needs of our community.
This is not about unnecessarily slowing down the work of departments. It is about making sure that decisions can be accounted for.
When proper policies, budgets and work plans are established, departments are better able to operate efficiently, and Chief and Council can make informed decisions regarding legitimate expenditures. Most importantly, this creates better and more consistent services for our community members.
A Serious Concern Regarding Direction and Disclosure
One of my greatest concerns throughout this process has been determining where certain operational directions and decisions have been coming from.
On multiple occasions, I have asked departments who provided direction or authorization regarding particular matters. In a number of circumstances, I have not been provided with a clear answer.
I believe community members should be concerned when the Chief of the Nation asks who has provided direction to a department and that information is not disclosed.
This is not a minor administrative issue.
Our governance system must have identifiable lines of authority and accountability. Departments should know who they report to, Chief and Council should know what decisions are being made, and there should be documentation demonstrating how significant financial and operational decisions were authorized.
No department should be placed in a position where it is unclear whose direction it is following.
Likewise, Chief and Council cannot properly fulfill their responsibilities if information regarding departmental direction, expenditures, budgets or decision-making is withheld or cannot be identified.
Why I Have Continued to Push for Accountability
I recognize that this process has taken many months and that establishing these systems has not always been easy.
However, I will not measure progress simply by how quickly money can be spent or how quickly decisions can be made. I will measure progress by whether we can account for those decisions afterward.
Can we show the policy? Can we show the budget? Can we show the work plan?
Can we show who authorized the expenditure?
Can we demonstrate how the decision benefits the membership?
And can we provide that lnfonnatlon to our auditors, our funding partners, Chief and Council, and ultimately our community members when accountability requires It?
Those are reasonable expectations of a government.
Moving Community Forward
The progress reported by MNP demonstrates that the considerable work being undertaken is beginning to move the Nation toward completion of these outstanding audits.
But our responsibility cannot end when the March 31, 2024 audits are finally completed.
We must use what we have learned through this process to build stronger systems going forward.
That means establishing and following policies, strengthening financial controls, requiring departmental budgets and work plans, maintaining appropriate documentation, clarifying reporting relationships and ensuring that significant decisions move through the proper governance process.
Our community members deserve a government where accountability is built into the system rather than addressed only when something goes wrong.
I will continue asking questions. I will continue requesting disclosure. I will continue supporting the completion of our audits. And I will continue working toward a governance structure where Chief, Council, administration and every department understand their respective responsibilities and can be accountable for the decisions they make.
This work is ultimately about protecting the Nation and providing better, more accountable services to the people of Keeseekoowenin.