Elders Getting Cash From Province In Primrose Deal

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 15:53

 

 

The provincial government has officially handed its share of a settlement to four northwest Metis communities affected years ago by the creation of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range.

 

The $4.5 million has been directed to a community development fund, and will be held in trust for the communities of Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Cole Bay and Jans Bay.

 

The fund will be managed by a board of directors appointed by the four communities, and will enable the communities to pursue development opportunities.

 

The communities will be able to draw upon dividends earned by the fund to invest in worthwhile projects that further the local economy.

 

The province’s money is part of a larger package worth $19.5 million, which also includes funds from the federal government.

 

Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty says she is proud of her government for allowing some of the provincial money to be used to make direct one-time payments of up to $10,000 to the few remaining Métis elders negatively affected by the weapons range, or to their surviving families.

 

Community representatives have agreed on a list of roughly 185 eligible elders and their families.

 

Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger says the government feels it needs to show respect for the leadership and perseverance the elders have demonstrated over the years.

 

Beauval Mayor Alex Maurice says he’s very happy that the province has recognized the historical position of the elders and the current needs of their families.

 

The Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range was formed after the province agreed in 1953 to give the federal government a lease in perpetuity to use the land for military purposes.

 

Several Métis families have long said that the creation of the range hindered their pursuit of traditional activities such as hunting and fishing.