Even though salaries of First Nations officials can now be posted online as mandated by the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act, a number of area First Nations still haven't gotten around to putting all the information up.
According to the website of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, "'First Nations Financial Transparency Act' requires that First Nations to whom the Act applies, make their audited consolidated financial statements and the Schedule of Remuneration and Expenses available to their members, as well as post and publish the documents on a website. In compliance with the Act, AANDC is also required to publish these documents on the department's website."
However, according to a quick glance at the federal government's website, only four of First Nations in close proximity to the Battlefords had posted as of Sept. 8. Saulteaux, Little Pine, Sweetgrass and Mosquito Grizzly Bear Head's Lean Man First Nation have put up that information for 2013-14. The information is for the period to March 31, 2014.
Other nearby First Nations - Poundmaker, Red Pheasant, Moosomin - did not have that information posted as of yet. Meanwhile, Thunderchild First Nation has posted a financial statement but not a schedule of remuneration or expenses.
Of the First Nations that did post their remuneration or expenses, the situation varied widely from one to another.
On Mosquito, Chief Daniel Starchief's remuneration included $37,200 in honoraria, $10,425 in meetings and travel expenses and $77,943 in a category simply referred to as "other," for a total of $125,468.
What "other" refers to exactly is not mentioned or expanded upon. Four more Mosquito councillors also posted totals over $100,000 for honoraria, meetings and travel, and in the "other" category.
For Little Pine First Nation, Chief Wayne Semaganis earned $54,054 in honoraria for 12 months as chief, and $55,873 in travel and expense allowances was listed as well, for a total of $109,927.
Totals for the other councilors ranged between $21,482 and $81,482, with the difference largely due to some wide differences in the length of time each served on council.
For Sweetgrass First Nation, Chief Lorie Whitecalf received $65,000 in honoraria, $281 in travel and meetings and $330 in other remuneration, for a total of $65,611. The totals for councillors who had served a full 12 months, including the base honoraria of $32,500 along with travel expenses and others, with totals ranging from $47,425 to $55,822.
For Saulteaux First Nation, Chief Leo Moccasin Jr. received a salary of $47,866 and reimbursed travel of $25,469, plus $500 more in the "other" category. Councillors on Saulteaux serving a minimum of 11 months, earned a salary between $36,528 and $42,000 and travel reimbursements ranged between $7,754 and $12,225.
The complete lists of First Nations salaries and remuneration as well as audited consolidated financial statements, for these and other First Nations that have responded, can be found at the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada website at www.aandc-aadnc.gc.ca.
