Editor:
With regards to your article in the Sept. 23 Lakes District 亚洲天堂 regarding chief`s salaries, I believe it is important to clarify a few facts with regards specifically to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation (CCN).
Firstly, I am completely comfortable with the transparency of an audit of all federal funds received by an Indian Band, however, I strongly object to the fact that bands must publish an audit of all privately earned revenue. I can confirm that not a penny of funds received from the Federal government is applied to chief and council salaries and compensation. For your information, for every dollar the Cheslatta Carrier Nation receives from the federal government, they earn five dollars through their privates businesses, contracts and partnerships. That is one of the highest ratios of the 206 Indian bands in B.C.
Secondly, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation has worked extremely hard for many, many years developing and grooming businesses and partnerships. They are a significant factor, as are the other local First Nations, in the local, regional and provincial economy. For years, non-Cheslatta residents have enjoyed the fruits of CCN`s businesses and partnerships including the Southside Health and Wellness Centre, Three Nations Water Project, the upgrade and paving of Keefes Landing Road to Ootsa Lake and the Grassy Plains School Hot Lunch Program. CCN constantly reinvests in their community as a whole including sponsorship of the playground equipment at Grassy School, leasing a state of the art fire truck back to the Southside Volunteer Fire Department for a dollar per year, purchasing a new sound system for the Grassy Plains Hall, gifting a $25,000 wharf to the Southside Community鈥ust to name a few.
And finally, current Chief, Corrina Leween, is not simply an elected figurehead. Chief Leween is an educated professional with 35 years of experience in high level management and administration. As with most elected chiefs, she and her council are solely accountable for all aspects of overseeing and managing an entire community, including all political, social and economic issues. Cheslatta chief and council each are responsible for substantial portfolios including social, health and education of their constituents. They also manage community infrastructure, housing, business negotiations, local, regional and national political issues, economic development, employment, and protecting the historical and cultural integrity of their land and history.
The three members of the Cheslatta chief and council carry out their duties on a daily basis and are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week, without the comfort of a comprehensive support staff and structure enjoyed by municipal or regional district governments. While they have a dedicated and professional team working for the benefit of the people, they are always challenged by capacity and therefore must assume the duties of several professional at any given time.
We should celebrate the fact that the Lakes District is supported by a group of innovative and progressive First Nations that add so much to the vitality and sustainability of our communities.
Sincerely,
Mike Robertson, Senior Policy Advisor
Cheslatta Carrier Nation
