A First Nation chief who came under fire for earning almost $1 million representing an 82-member band is keeping the cash.

Ron Giesbrecht told CTV News he spent the last week trying to contact Kwikwetlem First Nation membership in person and on the phone, and that the majority stand behind him.

“They support the decision that’s been made and they haven’t asked for [the money back] and they clearly support everything I’ve done so far,” Giesbrecht said.

He didn’t specify how many members he was able to reach but said only four asked for his resignation.

Sources told CTV News at least one-third of voting band members want to see a secret ballot on the chief’s leadership, and for the bulk of the money to be returned.

Of the chief’s $914,219 earnings last year, $800,000 came from a contracted 10 per cent bonus he received in his role as economic development officer.

The band struck an $8 million land deal with the provincial government, but both sides have refused to share further details.

In a statement released on the Kwikwetlem website Thursday, Giesbrecht said his First Nation is doing “better than ever” thanks to opportunities he’s helped secure as economic development officer.

“We have improved things like our housing, our youth and Elder support, our health programs. Now more people than ever are moving back,” Giesbrecht wrote.

Of the Kwikwetlem’s 82 registered members, only 35 lived on the reserve as of July 2014.

On Friday, a handful of embarrassed Kwikwetlem residents held an impromptu press conference to distance themselves from Giesbrecht. They claimed his pay was even more outrageous given ongoing financial struggles at the band, and said there are Kwikwetlem elders relying on food banks to eat.

According to the federal government, close to 40 per cent of the homes on the reserve also need to be repaired or replaced.

Giesbrecht said every band member received $10,000 as part of the $8 million deal with the province, and some of the money went into buying new housing.

The chief’s salary was disclosed last week in compliance with Canada’s controversial Financial Transparency Act. Documents on the Kwikwetlem website reveal Giesbrecht made just $4,800 in his role as chief, and $80,000 in salary as economic development officer.

The second-highest salary at the band went to Ed Hall, who earned $52,350 total.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Peter Grainger