INAC Won’t Dictate Chief Salaries

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 13:05

 

 

A spokesman for Indian Affairs says the department won’t dictate how much money First Nations pay their chief and council, even if the band is in co-management.

 

According to a report by Price Waterhouse Coopers, Darrell McCallum of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation made $98,000 in salary last year.

 

On top of that, he also drew $237,000 in honorariums and travel expenses.

 

The band is currently in a co-management situation with Indian Affairs; however, INAC’s Trevor Sutter says they don’t control the salaries as long as the band is making progress on the economic front.

 

Sutter adds INAC gives support funding to First Nations so it can help cover the cost of administering departmental programs.

 

The chief has not been immediately available for comment.