Criminal record should have disqualified top Sask. First Nations chief from last election, critics say

Saskatchewan's most prominent First Nations leader should have been disqualified from running in the last election, say fellow chiefs, a rival candidate and others.

CBC News has obtained documents outlining Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron's criminal record, which includes a 1993 conviction for break and enter and theft.

The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. FSIN election rules prohibit candidates with a conviction of fraud or theft from running for office. In a series of interviews, these critics say it's now clear Cameron should not have been on the ballot in the 2021 election, which he won.

The FSIN's former chief electoral officer says she tried to raise the issue two weeks before the vote, but was silenced.

Cameron's criminal record is the latest, but not the only, controversy raging over that 2021 election. CBC News has also examined internal emails, affidavits, lawsuits and other materials alleging vote tampering, conflicts of interest and other impropriety in the races to elect Cameron and four FSIN vice-chiefs.

"It was corrupt," said former Flying Dust First Nation chief Bob Merasty, who finished second to Cameron.

"That election was controlled by…certain people to make sure they could maintain their jobs, their salaries."

Cadmus Delorme, who was chair of the FSIN's Indigenous Governance Commission, said he was already troubled by the other election irregularities. After CBC News described Cameron's criminal record to him this week, Delorme said he's more concerned than ever.

"Are you asking me, 'Is Chief Bobby the chief?' Well, you know what? The FSIN has moved forward, but was good governance followed? It was not," said Delorme, the former chief of Cowessess First Nation.

Much of this information — including Cameron's criminal record — is only surfacing because of a lawsuit filed by Cameron and other FSIN officials against former chief electoral officer, Myrna O'Soup-Bushie.

"Following the election, Myrna was still bound by confidentiality, right? When they sued her, that changed the equation," said O'Soup-Bushie's lawyer, Orlagh O'Kelly.

The lawsuit against O'Soup-Bushie was filed by the FSIN and its former CEO, Dawn Walker. It alleges O'Soup-Bushie breached her contract and defamed them by sending letters and speaking to chiefs and others about alleged election irregularities.

It states O'Soup-Bushie spread rumours "knowing that they were false, or with careless disregard as to whether they were true or not."

Neither Cameron nor Walker responded to multiple interview requests sent by email, text and phone.