Mathias Colomb Members Urged To Reject Deal

Mathias Colomb Members Urged To Reject Deal

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 17:12

Some residents of Sandy Bay that belong to a Manitoba First Nation are being asked to reject a proposed compensation package related to hydro development.

The Mathias Colomb Cree Nation has been offered $3.1 million by Manitoba Hydro for the damming and flooding of the Laurie River in the 1950s.

The money would go towards a $3-million debt Manitoba Hydro says it’s owed by the band.

In exchange, the band would give up its right to pursue further action against the Crown-owned utility.

Chief Pascal Bighetty doesn’t believe the offer is high enough, and believes the band should be entitled to $70 million in compensation.

Bighetty says the band is also trying to get money from SaskPower over flooding from dams that affected band members on the Saskatchewan side of the border.