Gwich’in Tribal Council omits audited financials at annual assembly in Tsiigehtchic, citing delays and alleged phishing incident at its corporation.
Annual Gathering Begins in Tsiigehtchic
The Gwich’in Tribal Council has opened its annual general assembly on Wednesday, August 20, in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T. The meeting, running until August 22, is taking place at the Chief Paul Niditchie School.
Missing Audited Financial Statements
Traditionally, audited financial statements are presented at the gathering. This year, however, the council confirmed that no such reports will be released, breaking from long-standing practice.
Issues at Development Corporation
The council attributed the absence of statements to delays in receiving key records from the Gwich’in Development Corporation (GDC), its wholly owned business arm. In a release, the council cited what it described as “failures with the GDC” that disrupted the audit process.
Phishing Incident Raises Alarm
Among the alleged issues, the GDC reported a phishing attack that led to $360,000 being transferred to an unknown account. The matter remains unresolved, and no court process has yet tested the allegations.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
Mark Roth, the council’s chief financial officer, emphasized the need for accountability. “The Gwich’in deserve clarity and integrity in the stewardship of their assets,” he stated, adding that steps are being taken to resolve the financial irregularities in the best interest of the Gwich’in Nation.
Next Steps for the Council
While members are proceeding with the scheduled assembly, the lack of audited reports has sparked concern among participants about financial transparency. The council has not confirmed whether external reviews, audits, or legal measures will follow.