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August 19, 2014 - 10:11 AM
KAMLOOPS – The July 29 due date has passed for First Nations to submit reports on financials including chief and council salary, remuneration and expenses as part of the First Nation Financial Transparency Act.
So far, InfoNews has reported on the numbers for bands near Osoyoos, Enderby, Vernon and Kamloops. Numbers for the Penticton Band have not been submitted.
Here are some numbers from the 2013 tax year for the areas neighbouring Kamloops.
Ashcroft – Total Registered Population: 272
In 2013, Chief Greg Blain had a salary of $66,500, with councillor salaries at $32,500 and $34,000. The expenses for chief and council totalled $19,581.
Lytton – Total Registered Population: 1,971
Last year, Chief Janet Webster had a salary of $62,181 with 12 councillors earning an honoraria ranging from $2,300 to $3,550. The expenses for chief and council totalled $9,681.
Siska (Lytton) – Total Registered Population: 311
In 2013, Chief Fred Sampson had a salary of $37,509 with three councillors earning salaries ranging from $4,600 (over eight months) to $8,950. Expenses for all four members totalled $11,961.
Little Shuswap – Total Registered Population: 342
Last year, Chief Felix Arnouse made a salary of $62,477. Two councillors made $56,338. Expenses for the party of three totalled $27,846.
Neskonlith (Chase) –Total Registered Population: 648
Last year, Chief Judy Wilson had a salary of $69,160 with six councillors earning salaries ranging from $26,451 to $60,100. The sum of chief and council expenses was $109,897.
Adams Lake - Total Registered Population: 760
In 2013, Chief Nelson Leon earned a salary of $79,579. Five councillors made salaries ranging from $49,454 to $56,983. Total expenses for chief and council came to $48,664.
Whispering Pines / Clinton (Kamloops) – Total Registered Population: 150
Chief Michael Lebourdais made $48,230 last year. Two councillors had salaries of $50,245 and $55,939. Expenses totalled $35,069.
Simpcw (Barriere) – Total Registered Population: 701
Last year, Chief Rita Matthew earned no actual salary, but a remuneration of $58,069. Three councillors earned salaries ranging from $34,554 to $48,853. All six councillors earned other remuneration ranging from $15,360 to $58,069. Expenses reimbursed as part of other remuneration for chief and council totalled $36,928.
Skeetchestn (Savona) – Total Registered Population: 530
In 2013, Chief Ron Ignace made $45,572. Five council members earned similar salaries ranging from $40,617 to $43,989. Expenses for the group totalled $69,784.
Lower Nicola (Merritt) - Population numbers are not available
The outgoing Chief Victor York made a six-month salary of $24,261 while the incoming Chief Aaron Sam made $25,550. Eleven councillors, four of them outgoing (with six-month salaries) made a range of $5,287 to $29,130. The total expenses for the group was $16,885.
Nooaitch (Merritt) - Total Registered Population: 218
Last year, Chief Joyce Sam made $22,000. Each of the band's four councillors made a salary of $8,400. Total expenses for chief and council was $17,841.
Shackan (Merritt) - Total Registered Population: 134
In the 2013 tax year, Chief Percy Joe had a salary of $13,000. Two councillors made $9,100. Total expenses were $11,592.
Upper Nicola (Merritt) - Population numbers are not available
Daniel Manuel made a salary of $50,880 as chief last year. The five band councillors made salaries ranging from $10,000 to $11,397. Total expenses were $44,721.
Coldwater (Merritt) - Total Registered Population: 827
Chief Harold Aljam had a salary of $45,071. Three of the six councillors made salaries ranging from $3427 to $24,094. All council members earned honoraria ranging from $120 to $11,953. Total expenses for chief and council came to $17,711.
Financial reports have not been posted for the Nicomen, Skuppah, Bonaparte and Oregon Jack Creek bands.
Don’t see numbers for a particular band you’re looking for? Take a look at the Aboriginal Affairs website.
-Total Registered Population includes band members living on and off the reservation. The population numbers are from July, 2014.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014