Chiefs Vote To Disclose Salaries

Chiefs Vote To Disclose Salaries

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 14:48

 

 

The Assembly of First Nations has passed a resolution that promises public disclosure of audits, public accounts, salaries and other expenses of chief and council to their communities.

 

Delegates passed the resolution, with no objections or abstentions, today during their special assembly in Quebec.

 

Chiefs have come under fire the past few weeks ever since the Canadian Taxpayers Federation released a report saying some of made more than their respective premiers or the Prime Minister.

 

Earlier today, AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo encouraged chiefs to make their salaries public — urging chiefs to set the standard of transparency and accountability for their people, not “Ottawa bureaucrats”.

 

Other chiefs noted the focus should not be on the salaries of chiefs, but on why First Nations citizens don’t enjoy the same level of services other Canadians receive.

 

The resolution also calls for Canada to work jointly with First Nations on establishing a First Nations ombudsman and/or auditor general.

 

Meanwhile, the AFN has decided to lower the cost for a First Nations citizen to witness this week’s assembly in person.

 

The original cost for an observer’s pass was $300.

 

However, that was lowered this morning to $100.

 

Six Nations Chief Bill Montour spearheaded that effort, noting the cost was keeping many people from showing up to the event.

 

Montour’s speech to the assembly this morning drew applause from delegates.

 

The resolution passed unanimously.