If municipalities behaved like First Nation councillors the outcry would be immense
To the Expositor:
The deadline for the posting of remuneration for chief, band councillors and all other unelected officials under the ‘Transparency Act’ is looming. November 26 is the deadline of the extension given to publicly post this information and as of this morning, the Aboriginal Affairs website has Sheguiandah First Nation (SFN) listed as “not yet posted.” Coincidently, November 23 is also the one-year anniversary of the old new regime taking power in SFN. Although this chief and council has been in power one year, they have yet to produce a copy of any band council meeting minutes, band council resolutions or a chief’s report.
This lack of transparency is indicative of the way they have been running things on SFN. At a council meeting held on October 6, I inquired as to how much Councillor Georgina Thompson has been paying herself for her made-up position. Councillor Thompson tersely replied, “That’s none of your business!” It is my business, Georgina, and it is the law!
Unfortunately, personal renovations and monies given to immediate family members are not required to be posted. Sadly, this has been accepted as the status quo by some First Nation’s communities and even the non-aboriginal community. If the mayor or town councillors of Gore Bay or Little Current renovated their houses, sent their children to post secondary school, gave out personal loans or hired themselves with town funds there would be an outcry with people screaming, “bloody murder.” There would be write-ups in newspapers, police investigations and a major backlash from town residents. This type of behaviour is not tolerated in Little Current or Gore Bay, why should it be tolerated and accepted anywhere else?
Yours truly, Orville Aguonie Sheguiandah First Nation
