First Nations leaders challenge payments for gaming authority

Tuesday, July 26, 2011  

First Nations leaders are questioning salaries and payments to members of the board of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

Documents obtained by The Saskatoon StarPhoenix show that the 13 board members receive salaries and compensation in excess of $600,000. One member received a total of $109,884.

"I think it's excessive. It's not something we're comfortable with," Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild told the paper.

The board ousted chair Kirk Goodtrack last week over conflicts of interest. He is representing some Native plaintiffs in a lawsuit against First Nation casinos.

But Sakimay First Nation Chief Lynn Acoose said Goodtrack was removed because he wanted to clean things up at SIGA. "This is a big problem. This is why we need independent boards, free of political interference," Acoose told the paper.

Get the Story:
Payments to board members queried (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 7/26)