Skip to content

Metlakatla Band release expenses

The Metlakatla Band recently released its financial statement for the last fiscal year.

Financial statements released by the Metlakatla Band show Chief Harold Leighton received less than $50,000 in remuneration and expenses during the last fiscal year.

A report submitted as per the First Nations Financial Transparency Act show Leighton received $29,500 in remuneration and claimed $14,799 in expenses for a total of $44,299 during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.

As with other bands, remuneration for councillors in Metlakatla varied. Coun. Alrita Leask and Coun. Cindy Smith received $19,500 over the 12 months; Coun. Alvin Leask received $18,500 over 12 months and Coun. James Nelson received $15,000. Coun. Wayne Haldane served for eight months and received $15,500 in remuneration; Coun. Alvin Bolton Jr. served five month and received $5,000; Coun. David Leask served two months and received $2,000 and Coun. Robert Nelson received $2,097 for his one month of service.

In terms of expenses for full-year councillors, the amount varied from a high of $21,675 claimed by Alvin Leask to a low of $9,607 for Alrita Leask.

Overall, council remuneration totalled $126,597 while council expenses totalled $107,403 for a total council cost of $234,000.

As of Oct. 5, the Gitxaala is the lone North Coast band to not have released financial statements as required by the act.