Small group of voters reject Hydro deal on Manitoba First Nation – CP

SAGKEENG FIRST NATION, Man. _ The chief of the Sagkeeng First Nation says he and his council are disappointed the band’s membership has voted down a Manitoba Hydro deal worth $200 million to the Ojibwa community.

Donovan Fontaine says the deal wasn’t perfect, but it was “pretty darn good.”

He says it was an important building block to develop a healthier community.

There are 7,500 registered band members on the First Nation 145 kilometres north of Winnipeg, but only 385 people turned out for the vote, where the accord was rejected 265 to 120.

Fontaine says it’s unfortunate that such a small number of people end up deciding the future of the community.

The $200 million deal would have run for 40 years and covered full shoreline protection for reserve lands along the Winnipeg River, excluding Traverse Bay, at an estimated cost of $50 million to $80 million.

There were also promises for jobs through a minimum target of $100 million in contract work for Sagkeeng in relation to any Hydro construction and development on the Winnipeg River, with a penalty clause if the target was not met.

Finally, $38.9 million in cash was set aside in a trust to be distributed in annual payments over the life of the accord.

In addition to the money, approximately 190 acres of sacred traditional land at the junction of the Whitemouth and Winnipeg rivers would to be transferred by Manitoba Hydro to Sagkeeng.

Unidentified community members posting on Facebook say they objected to the payment schedule for the $38.9-million trust fund, noting the yearly payouts would not increase with inflation.

(Winnipeg Free Press)