Advertisement

‘Investigation launched’ over alleged loss of funds at Dawson Creek Native Housing Society

The Dawson Creek Native Housing Society is “starting fresh” in the wake of an alleged theft of funds and RMCP investigation.

By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

●

News

●

April 2, 2025

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Dawson Creek Native Housing Society said the RCMP has launched an investigation (Google Maps)

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — An Indigenous housing society is “starting fresh” in the wake of an alleged theft of funds.

According to Neil Sneddon of the Dawson Creek Native Housing Society, it was partly the findings of an independent audit conducted in 2023 which prompted the Dawson Creek RCMP detachment to launch an investigation into the matter.

Sneddon is the vice-president of the society, which provides rental units to around 40 low-income Indigenous tenants in the Dawson Creek area.

Advertisement

“It means we have to rebuild,” said Sneddon. “We are starting fresh. We’re redoing our by-laws to ensure this never happens again.

“It is very devastating. We’re working as hard as we can to hopefully amend everything.”

Sneddon also alleged the resignation of the society’s executive director Tammy Cooke was not related but did not comment further.

Advertisement

In the meantime, Sneddon says there is a new board who is “working tirelessly” and will revamp policies and procedures, alongside the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA).

None of the allegations have been proven in a court of law.

Energeticcity.ca reached out to the Dawson Creek RCMP and Tammy Cooke, but did not receive a response by publication time.

Authors

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018. After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge. Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories.

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.