Stoney-Nakoda Nation chiefs and councillors have now posted their schedule of remuneration (salaries) and expenses for public information, as per the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA).
This legislation, which received Royal Assent in Parliament in March 2013, has seen leaders from First Nations communities across the country posting their salaries and expenses since July of this year.
First Nations leaders from across Canada have been under considerable scrutiny since posting began.
“In my opinion, these (salaries and expenses) are comparable to what other First Nations pay (their leaders) and this doesn’t reflect the full responsibility that they have,” said Ken Christensen, Stoney Tribal Administrator.
“These guys are on call 24 hours a day and they have to be fully dispensable to all Nation members at all time.”
Christensen said nation members are encouraged to contact him to answer any questions at 403-881-2633 or at [email protected].
Chief John Thunder of Buffalo Point, Man. earns $116,000 tax-free (off-reserve equivalent is $185,000) for running a reserve of 40 people; by comparison, Mayor Shari Decter Hirst of Brandon, Man. earns $95,000 for governing a city of 46,000.
Chief Ron Giesbrecht of the 80-member Kwikwetlem First Nation in B.C. earned a tax-free salary of $914,219 last year, with further expenses in excess of $16K; the off-reserve equivalent would be $1.6 million.
All salaries and expenses posted by First Nations leaders so far can be viewed at http://pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/SearchFF.aspx?lang=eng.
All elected government officials (non-First Nations) have always been required to post their salaries and expenses for public access.
According to Erica Meekes from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC):
“First Nations, like all Canadians, deserve transparency and accountability from their elected officials; that’s why the government of Canada introduced the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which empowers community members and ensures that they are informed of their community’s financial situation.
The FNFTA will help deliver more effective, more transparent and accountable governments, which will in turn contribute to stronger, more self-sufficient and prosperous communities.”
The total tally of remuneration and expenses, for the year ending March 31, 2014 is close to $2.7M for the three Nation chiefs (three respective bands: Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley) and 14 councillors.
It should be noted that all salaries earned by First Nations leaders are tax-exempt.
The total population of Stoney Nation in all three locations of Morley, Big Horn and remote Eden Valley is roughly 5,000 people.
The Iyahrhe-Nakoda Food Bank puts together around 300 food hampers each week.
Employment opportunities, both on and off reserve, have long been reported as problematic on the nation.
The Cochrane Eagle has also chosen to publish Cochrane mayor and councillors’ salaries online; the latest municipal census puts Cochrane’s population at nearly 21,000.
Darcy Dixon, Chief- Bearspaw
$183,354 ($110,976)
Rod Hunter, Coun. - Bearspaw Morley
$130,967 ($98,814)
Keith Lefthand, Coun. - Bearspaw Eden Valley
$76,344 ($41,644)
Farrell Holloway, Coun. - Bearspaw Morley
$76,344 ($31,218)
Rex Daniels, Coun. - Bearspaw Eden Valley
$130,967 ($61,648)
Narvil Kootenay, Coun. - Bearspaw Morley
$54,623 ($29,243)
Larry Daniels Sr, Coun. - Bearspaw Eden Valley
$54,623 ($29,898)
Bruce Labelle, Chief - Chiniki
$125,217 ($100,477)
Lional Wildman, Coun. - Chiniki
$89,441 ($77,167)
Terrence Rider, Coun. - Chiniki
$89,441 ($67,770)
Clifford Powderface, Coun. - Chiniki
$89,441 ($63,832)
Frank Chiniquay, Coun. - Chiniki
$89,441 ($72,221)
Ernest Wesley, Chief - Wesley
$125,217 ($90,066)
Shane Crawler, Coun. - Wesley Big Horn
$89,441 ($24,398)
Homer Twoyoungmen, Coun. - Wesley
$89,441 ($37,525)
Tater Van House, Coun. - Wesley
$89,441 ($44,165)
Hank Snow, Coun. - Wesley
$89,441 ($55,300)
Ivan Brooker
$68,502.00 ($2,155.16)
Mary Lou Davis
$26,424.00 ($0)
Gaynor Levisky
$26,424.00 ($0)
Tara McFadden
$26,424.00 ($114.66)
Morgan Nagel
$26,424.00 ($0)
Jeff Toews
$26,424.00 ($1,625.40)
Ross Watson
$26,424.00 ($548.81)
