Glenn Hudson defended his earnings on Monday, saying they are not secret and the criticism that has been raised is from a small group of his political enemies on the reserve, located about 190 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
He also touted the work he has done for his community, such as securing the largest First Nations land settlement deal in Canada. Earlier this year, Peguis and the federal government agreed on a $190-million agreement.
"I know for a fact that there is no other First Nation leader in Manitoba that has brought $190 million in potential claims back for their community," Hudson told CBC News in an interview on Monday.
"And I know no other First Nations leader holds an engineering degree like I do. I guess, as far as optics are concerned, it's a matter of opinion on what these [salary] levels are.
"But certainly, we are accountable to our people and we are transparent,and they're fully aware of what we make."
The amounts are significantly more than what is earned by Winnipeg's mayor or even Manitoba's premier
Sam Katz earned $114,052 in base salary last year as mayor of Winnipeg's approximately 700,000 people. Gary Doer, who stepped down in October as premier for Manitoba's 1.2 million people, earned $153,769 in 2008.
Peguis First Nation, in comparison, is home to about 7,200 people.
In the fiscal period 2008-09,Hudson earned $206,381, according to the documents, prepared by accounting firm BDO Dunwoody in Winnipeg.
The accounting firm broke down the figure as including:
Making comparisons between his salary and that of the premier is not fair, Hudson said on Monday.
"You certainly cannot do that. I know his base salary as mentioned is more than mine [but] when it comes down to travel and other perks and benefits, if you add them all up significantly, the premier would make a lot more than we do as leaders," he said.
Hudson wasn't even the top earner on Peguis First Nation last year. That nod goes to Coun. Glennis Sutherland, who earned $310,731.
A high-ranking official with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called Hudson's compensation "outrageous."
The official, who spoke to CBC News on condition of anonymity, said chiefs in other parts of the province typically make between $40,000 and $78,000 each annually.
'Where else in Canada can you go, get a job and name your own salary, which is basically what he did?'—Phyllis Sutherland, Peguis Accountability Coalition
Phyllis Sutherland, a Peguis band member who is a member of the Peguis Accountability Coalition, provided the accounting documents to the taxpayers federation and CBC News to bring attention to what she says are exorbitant earnings.
The salaries are shocking in light of the problems plaguing Peguis, such as difficult social conditions like mouldy houses that need to be repaired or replaced.
Her group plans to demand a forensic audit by the federal government into the salaries.
"Where else in Canada can you go, get a job and name your own salary, which is basically what he did?" Sutherland said about Hudson.
However, Hudson noted that his council passed a resolution earlier this year that now caps the chief's salary at $170,000 and that of band councillors at $140,000.