A welcome sign on the Kwikwetlem First Nation in British Columbia. Photo from KFN

Canada's Department of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development has begun posting reports of salaries earned by First Nations leaders.

First Nations were always required to provide financial reports as well as salary and remuneration information to the government. But the First Nations Financial Transparency Act requires the reports to be made public.

"This Act is one example of how our government is taking action to ensure First Nations have access to information detailing how public funds are spent in their communities," Bernard Valcourt, the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development,, said in a statement. "It also is a further step in our commitment to encourage transparency and accountability in First Nations governance, and does not increase reporting requirements."

The reports can be found on pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/SearchFF.aspx. Not every First Nation, however, has submitted data.

Many First Nations are also putting their reports on their own websites. The Blood Tribe of Alberta, for example, posted its financial statement and salary report yesterday.

The Kwikwetlem First Nation of British Columbia posted its reports as well as a press release explaining why Chief Ron Giesbrecht earned nearly $1 million -- $4,800 came from his band salary, $80,000 came from his position as economic development officer and $800,000 came in the form of a bonus.

The bonus provision of Giesbrecht's employment contract was removed in April, the press release stated. But Valcourt said he was alarmed by the amount.

"It is an amount that is troubling, and the explanation is not very convincing," Valcourt told CBC News.

Get the Story:
Chief's $1M pay 'not reasonable,' Bernard Valcourt says (CBC 8/1)
B.C. chief Ron Giesbrecht's $1M pay 'very troubling,' minister's office says (CBC 7/31)
First Nations checkup: Bands now held accountable online (The National Post 7/31)
First Nation chiefs' salaries due to be posted under Transparency Act (CBC 7/29)