A media release by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that revealed the salaries paid to some chiefs and councillors across Canada has tarred all First Nations leaders with the same brush.

I have to admit that when I first saw the information, I was both flabbergasted and outraged. "How can these guys do this to their people?" I thought.

However, a deeper look reveals the flaws in the CTF's analysis.

It appears that the salary grid in Saskatchewan is less onerous than it is in other provinces. According to a statement from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, about one-third of the First Nations leaders here make less than $40,000 a year, and only a few exceed $100,000.