Salaries for first nation leaders

[Bobby B.]

Heard this on the news this morning and thought it was a helluva way to start my day. Are they leading by example?

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

Bobby B.

[kenh]

This same story was on a talk show on a Saskatoon radio station yesterday and i was supprised at the lack of interest people had in it.

[elkhunter11]

It's not all that surprising.Drive around a reserve and see how long it takes you to find the band chiefs house,it doesn't take long.Some band members are struggling to put food on the table,while the chief has a nice house,nice vehicles,and plenty of toys.

[walking buffalo]

I was talking about this topic last week with a friend who is running for a Band Council position. My friend is concerned about the waste and unaccounted Band funds. These salaries are incredible, to a point of being disgusting.

Elders without homes, single mothers who can't afford to feed their kids. At election time, some candidates pass $50 and say "Vote for Me."

At the same time, no different than in Municipal, Provincial or Frederal Politics. .....

I'd say more, but I'm still eating my Cookie.....

[Jimboy]

Nation leaders have lined their pockets with millions of dollars from land settlements and cash settlements over the years.
The people live in shacks and fight to buy food while the leaders live like kings and build casinos to fatten their empire.
Time to shut down the Govt native grants.

[redranger15]

Might as well get Stanley ready because that's how this one will end.

[FishBrain]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

I'd say more, but I'm still eating my Cookie.....

BAHAHAHAHAH, sorry man, thats funny!

[jpietrzak1979]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It's not all that surprising.Drive around a reserve and see how long it takes you to find the band chiefs house,it doesn't take long.Some band members are struggling to put food on the table,while the chief has a nice house,nice vehicles,and plenty of toys.

Not to be a jerk but... the same thing is true of our "chiefs" any politician I met has a nice house and car and I know lots of people in the city who are struggling to put food on the table and cant afford a car. Agreeably sounds a little more disproportionate in the article but by the same token I do wonder because I knew a native fellow who told me every person in their tribe received 200k when they turned 18 and they wasted it and ended up with nothing. I never had that advantage and makes it hard for me to sympathise.

[brownbomber]

So if all the "good" guys end up being successful and have they're apartment in town, who's left on the reserve?

just a example, a fictional story to illustrate a way around the problem. lots of good people on reserve, quietyly doing there thing. it's easy to see the stereotype and not so much the regular working hand that doesn't make a lot of noise

parting out there inflated salaries would be but a drop in the bucket for the less fortunate that elected them into power!!

i should have been more specific, by seeing how much inflated salary some of the chiefs have it may or may not be fair to say wow if that's happening there how much other funds are being funnelled in a inappropriate way? how many training dololars are being unfairly allocated? how many housing programs are going the wrong the way? it's more of a point in how the salary is a tip of the iceber in reference in to what is wrong with the system.

my example of the story wasn't meant to litterally mean this is what you have to do to escape. just one quickly thought example of how it is tougher than most people seem to think to get ahead on the reserve if you are not dialed into the leadership.

nice healthy debate though guys, glad to be back on the board after a long break from it. lol in the meantime got some bus fare?