A recent ruling by the federal court might finally produce some answers about Frog Lake First Nation’s financial records. 

After Frog Lake First Nation’s trust fund was drained of nearly $120 million between 2013 and 2018, band member Hans McCarthy partnered with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to compel Ottawa to release financial records. 

That was in 2022. Now, three years later, the court has ruled in favour of the duo, and McCarthy will be getting the documents within the next 30 days. 

McCarthy says there’s a lot of corruption in First Nation communities. 

“There are suspicions. In a community that small, people all know what’s going on. The most important thing is that we’re going to get those documents. The victory is going to show us exactly where that money has went and where it is going.” He says financial transparency will allow for “better housing, better education, better programming. A lot of the money is gobbled up on the chief and council level, and when you get rid of that corruption and you have transparency, it even gives information to band members on who to vote for.”

Prairie Director with the CTF Gage Haubrich says this ruling sets a precedent for other first nations wanting answers, signifying that the federal government has a duty to disclose them.

“Setting that precedent will also mean that Indigenous activists around the country who are looking for similar documents are now going to be able to get them much easier, so they can get that level of financial transparency and accountability that we all need to get answers on how money is being spent.”

He says he doesn’t expect any difficulties in getting the information, but the CTF is prepared to go to court again if need be. The CTF will report back once the documents are received and reviewed. 

Frog Lake First Nation is located in Alberta, about 173 km west of the Saskatchewan border.