Notice to ‘Na̱mg̱is Members

‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation is sharing the following update with our members regarding a recent fraud investigation involving funds intended for the construction of the new Wellness and Treatment Centre.

Earlier this year, the Nation was targeted by a sophisticated fraud scheme carried out by external actors, in which a fraudulent email redirected a payment meant for the contractors working on the Wellness Centre project.

Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation and legal processes, the Nation did not publicly comment in order to not jeopardize the ongoing investigation. The RCMP has now reached a stage where information can be shared publicly and has issued a media release outlining their investigation and actions.

We are relieved to share that a significant portion of the funds were frozen by investigators and will be returned through court processes. The Nation continues to work toward recovering the remaining funds, and insurance coverage may apply to some of the losses.

‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation takes financial stewardship and accountability seriously. In response to this incident, we are reviewing and strengthening internal financial and cybersecurity procedures to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Alert Bay RCMP and partner agencies for their swift action, professionalism, and dedication in disrupting this fraud and protecting Nation resources.

Members are encouraged to review the Alert Bay RCMP media release for further details. Updates will be shared as appropriate.