Convicted Saskatchewan First Nation chief resigns with $47,000 payout

CARLYLE, Sask. – The chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation who has been sentenced to jail time for sexually assaulting a teenage girl has resigned and will be paid almost $50,000.

The band council of the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation says in a news release that it has accepted Terrance McArthur’s resignation.

The council says it has agreed to pay McArthur for the remainder of his term plus severance — a total of $47,625.

McArthur, who is 48, was sentenced to nine months behind bars last Wednesday after pleading guilty to inappropriately touching the then-16-year-old girl in April 2012.

His lawyer has filed an appeal of the sentence.

The chief submitted his resignation on July 30, but councillor Gaylene McArthur, who is not related, says the band held off announcing his resignation on the advice of legal counsel.

No date for byelection has been set.

Gaylene McArthur says it’s now time to move forward.

“We have been weathering the storm so far and we hope this decision means the band can move on and we can continue with our programs and hopefully the people will heal.”

(CJLR)