The federal government said Monday it is taking six First Nations bands to court to force them to comply with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act which requires them to show where the money is spent.
Of the 582 First Nations, 48 have failed to comply with the act.
The six bands named in the Federal Court action -- the Council of First Nations of Thunderchild, Ochapowace and Onion Lake in Saskatchewan; and Sawridge, Athabasca Chipewyan and Cold Lake in Alberta -- have been singled out because they have flatly refused to comply with the law.
The government is asking the court for an order requiring the six bands to publish audited financial statements, and schedules of remuneration and expenses for chiefs and council "for the benefit of their members."
"First Nations, like all Canadians, deserve transparency and accountability from their elected leaders," Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt said in a statement Monday. "That is why we passed the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA) which empowers First Nation members to ensure band revenues are used for the benefit of the entire community.
"We will continue to withhold funding for non-essential programs for all non-compliant First Nations."
One of the six bands, Onion Lake Cree Nation, announced last month that it was taking the federal government to court over the law and filed a statement of claim in Federal Court in Edmonton.
The act has exposed the fact that some chiefs and band council members make more than provincial premiers and even the prime minister.
One of the most recent cases to come to light was that of the Shuswap First Nation in British Columbia.
With a registered population of 267 – and only 87 living on reserve – it was learned that Paul Sam, who served as chief for more than 30 years, made $202,413 for a 12-month term. His wife, one of two band councillors, made $202,000.
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