Canadian taxpayers and many of the 82 band members with the Kwikwetlem First Nation were aghast when news broke over the summer about last year's "bonus" pay to the chief.
The revelation about his perk as economic development officer came after the band unveiled its financial statements under the federal government's new Financial Transparency Act.
According to the disclosures, Chief Ron Giesbrecht collected a 10% cut from an $8.2-million land sale to the provincial government.
With more than $800,000 in his pocket - plus his salary and expenses - Giesbrecht received nearly $1 million in the last fiscal year.
Although the bonus pay is now terminated for the economic development role, Giesbrecht remains unapologetic about the windfall.
Still, band members have called for his resignation and a forensic audit, and plan to launch civil action against the chief to recover the funds that they claim are entitled to share.
