Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Mar 01/02) - Chiefs in the Deh Cho voted last month to give themselves $300 per day as remuneration during leadership meetings.

Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation Chief Lloyd Chicot said he's essentially doing two jobs -- one for his community and another for the region.

"That's how I see it. When we do Deh Cho First Nations work we should be compensated for doing that work," he explained.

Three hundred dollars per day is not excessive, he said.

"Not really, with the amount of work and the pressure," he said. "It's not that much money if you really look at it -- all the travel, the time."

Dennis Deneron, chief of the Saamba K'e First Nation in Trout Lake, agreed, noting that other regions pay their leaders as much or more.

Elders are also eligible to receive the indemnity. Travel expenses and accommodations are covered separately.

The money comes from the Deh Cho First Nations' leadership meetings budget, Chicot noted.

Michael Nadli, Grand Chief of the Deh Cho First Nations, was on leave and unavailable for comment.