APTN National News
In Nova Scotia questions are being raised about the amount of money chiefs are making.
This isn’t a story about salaries, but about the amount of cash they charge in per diems to attend meetings.
APTN National News has obtained a report outlining those costs and what they are doing to one agency’s bottom line.
APTN’s Trina Roache has this story.
I come from a small community in UCCM territory … maybe 450 live on reserve, 700 off reserve, Councilors make $9800/yr plus their improvement percentages (who knows what this is – some say 15%) and Chiefs make whatever Band Council votes in … usually starting at $38000/yr plus the per diems (honourariums) being charged to attend meetings (up to $24000/yr) … although our recent “Shiny” Chief got $78000/yr plus per diems in his last two year stint … thats an exhorbitant amount of money to take, to do the job …. You are an extension of the Federal Government (some would say “Indian Agent”) …. You should be looking out for the welfare, security, protection, provision of your First Nation Community – All Should be Equal. None, rarely ever, are. I’ve seen the First Nations Transparency Act … and there are some Mi’kmaq Chiefs out there pocketing well over 6 figures/yr. I thought this stopped after Glooscap First Nation’s uproarious complaints a few years back, apparently this hasn’t changed… Sure Band Monies don’t directly come from taxpayers, but taxpayers support the Government of Canada who ensure yearly amounts are added to the Indian Trust Fund. Accountability more than Transparency has to be added to the mix. I see maybe one or two communities developing good sound Human Resources Management policies. This will ensure that sound Job Descriptions would be in place, which would help to increase individual and organizational effectiveness.Then accountability can be instilled, ensuring that proper pay amounts are in place. $38000/yr on reserve is very equal to $62000/yr off reserve.
Sounds like more of the same! Chiefs filling their pockets while their people go hungry. Learn much from the white man?
I agree Scott: Its a sad state of affairs that these or some of these Chiefs find this practice acceptable when community members in need of important services and benefits are being cut back by the Harper government.