First Nations Chief Questions Intent of First Nations Transparency Act
Prince George, B.C. – Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee has weighed in on the First Nations Financial Transparency Act and is questioning it's intent.
"It's really polarized not only the First Nations community but the general public as well and I think that's the intent of the Conservative government."
Teegee adds, "we're (chiefs) not all making a million dollars a year, some of us are making six thousand."
He argues the case of the Coquitlam chief making close to a million dollars last year has clouded the issue even further.
"Some chiefs have taken on different portfolios are are getting paid through those portfolios," adding "if it was a non-aboriginal person who signed such a contract would there be this much controversy?"
Further, Teegee says the work a chief does in his or her community can entail much more complex issues than any mayor may have to contend with.
"We're dealing with a lot of issues that deals with children apprehension, or the Highway of Tears issue and then we're called upon to make a decision on mega projects which have national implications such as Enbridge Northern Gateway. I'm not sure if any mayor has that portfolio to deal with those issues."
He also says the federal government could have avoided this controversy if it had developed the law in consultation with First Nations.
"Now it's been put all over the media we're all millionaires."
Not that Teegee opposes transparency either noting they are already accountable to their own communities.
"One of the ways we do it here at the tribal council is via the annual census by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association. They take an average of all the chiefs pay in BC and that's how my wage is determined."
He says he encourages other chiefs to use the same template so that this current dispute can be avoided in the future.
Comments
I am not sure where the moneys originate to pay cheifs salaries but when the the natives are paying the bill out of moneys they earned on their own ( with out any form of government transfers) then they can be as transparent as they wish. When the funds come out of general taxation from the average Joe public whether it be native, white, east Indian, Chinese or any other group of general taxpayers then yes we should have a right to see where our dollars are being spent. You don’t like it. To bad.
Transparency Act,get it.
Ha! The Chief in question (Coquitlam Band) sold out his peoples’ birthright for the proverbial thirty pieces of silver and now he has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Sorry to mix metaphors but his actions are inexcusable and Mr. Teegee, like many of the royalty, probably broke into a cold sweat when he heard about this accountability nonsense that the evil Cons put into law.
Time Out – right on the money!
You would figure that FN would be very eager to be transparent with where the money is going. Just by releasing audited financial statements, they could break a lot of myths and stereotypes.
But by dragging their heels and questioning why, it just looks bad on them.
Hard to ask for more money when we see all the foolish spending
onemoretime@If you read the article you would know that Terry Teegee’s salary is determined by averaging the salaries of the chiefs in BC. He wasn’t sweating publication because he doesn’t receive a large salary.
I think that publication of chiefs’ and councillors’ salaries will be a good thing because it will show that most are not overpaid. There has been a lot of publicity about a few cases but no discussion of what is typical.
BTW, the BC survey for 2013 can be downloaded from: http://www.afoabc.org/downloads/2013-salary-survey.pdf
Oops, sorry, entered the URL above incorrectly. This should be right: http://www.afoabc.org/downloads/2013-salary-survey.pdf
Teegee: “Some chiefs have taken on different portfolios are are getting paid through those portfolios,” adding “if it was a non-aboriginal person who signed such a contract would there be this much controversy?”
Absolutely, but nice try playing the race card.
Chief Teegee questions the intent; the intent is quite simple: show us what you take in – as in salaries, fees and expenses! Nothing more, nothing less!!! This is hardly a Conservative backroom deal.
Teegee’s suggestion of determining salaries based on averages (within the tribal council) is nonsense. The FN Transparency Act is not an act to set salaries, it is to show us all, including each and everyone in their respective FN communites, what salaries and other costs are being paid out to Councillors and Administrators.
If Teegee is critical of anyone, he should point his fingers at Chief Spence of Attawapiskat who set this whole question on fire.
They can make this all go away by not accepting anymore tax payer dollars..
You know, I thought my comment on this story earlier today was fairly neutral and respectable, but it appears that it has been removed.
Basically, I agree with all of of the above opinions, hope that is not too inflammatory, Mr/Ms. Editor.
metalman.
@metslman. I noticed it too. There were a dozen comments that just disappeared when I was posting my first one. It seems that any story regarding Natives has Mr. Meisner in a bit of a tizzy. I guess we’re lucky that this one is still open for comments.
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