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Band Council Management Accountability
A handbook was created containing basic procedures and information necessary to provide accountability of financial management at the First Nations level from a policing perspective. The handbook takes the point of view of proactive and reactive measures that will reduce instances of fraud and theft and make criminal investigation of suspected frauds and theft of First Nation's funds more efficient.
There is a perception among aboriginal and non-aboriginal members of our society that Canada's First Nations are rife with mismanagement by tribal leaders and federal officials. Media headlines do nothing to dispel these perceptions despite some commendable efforts by both First Nations and federal officials. Yet there is substantiation to these reports in that a large proportion of Canada's First Nations continue to experience debt problems and the mismanagement of First Nations' funds are a major contributor to their debt problems. These financial problems are eroding the impressive social advances First Nations are making and contribute to social unrest that often leads to violence.
The major objective of the initiative is to provide a basic framework of financial accountability focusing on preventive measures for internal fraud and theft and advocating the establishment of Band By-Laws to ensure transparency of the financial process. The anticipated outcome is that by reducing the opportunity for internal theft and fraud complaints to police regarding such offences will drop; further, it is anticipated that Band By-Laws will force openness as to how and why First Nations' money is spent, thus encouraging the general membership of Bands to demand and ensure higher accountability from their officials.
The Partners involved in the initiative were: Commercial Crime Section (North) - "K" Division, Community and Aboriginal Policing - "K" Division, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Alberta Region, Deloitte and Touche - Aboriginal Investigative and Forensic Accounting Services.
As a result of the identified problem; a handbook and oral presentation package was developed with a target audience of police and aboriginal administrators. The initial presentation of the material was made at the 1998 National Aboriginal Policing Conference "Heartbeat of the Nation" held in Edmonton, Alberta. In preparing the material, careful consideration was given to language and perspective in view of the political nature of the material. Community and Aboriginal Policing and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada were instrumental in providing advice on the sensitive issue of language and culture. The overall tone of the material evolved from an emphasis upon enforcement toward a weighted emphasis upon prevention and transparency of process.
The short-term results of the initiative were evaluated by the response of the members of the audience at the Aboriginal Policing Conference. In this context, lively discussion was generated at the conclusion of the presentation and participants were genuinely disappointed when the time allotted for questions and comments was reached. All available copies of the presentation handbook were distributed with requests for more books being made by both First Nations' administrators and police agencies. The long-term results have been measured by the continued interest in the material by both First Nations and police agencies. As a result, a further printing of the handbook has been made and distributed to all First Nations and RCMP detachments in Alberta. Additionally, the Commercial Crime Section (North) has been responding to additional requests for presentation of the material to Band Councils. A future quantitative assessment of the initiative could be undertaken in a review by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada of the types of allegations made to them about Band Council Management, and in the number of new Band By-Laws enacted to govern financial accountability since the initiative began. At this time it is premature to undertake such an assessment (1999), as the implementation of the handbook's recommendations would require at least a 6-12 month period.
It is important not to let the severity of a problem or the complexity of the issue be an impediment to police who wish to undertake an initiative which seeks to address long standing concerns. Such initiatives require a partnership of knowledgeable persons with a sincere commitment to changes which provide for progress.
Cpl. Robert R. NAAS
Investigator
Commercial Crime Section (North)
"K" Division, RCMP
11140 - 109 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5G 2T4
Tel.#: (780) 412-5121
Fax: (780)412-5103
E-Mail: ccsnorth@planet.eon.net
Cst. J. Gibson GLAVIN
Investigator
Commercial Crime Section (North)
"K" Division, RCMP
11140 - 109 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5G 2T4
Tel.#: (780)412-5120
Fax : (780)412-5103
E-Mail: ccsnorth@planet.eon.net
