PBCN Chief Upset Over INAC Offer To Manitoba Band

PBCN Chief Upset Over INAC Offer To Manitoba Band

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 12:30

 

 

The chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation says he is disappointed the government is moving ahead with compensation for a Manitoba band, while excluding his own.

 

It was reported yesterday that Indian Affairs is offering financial compensation to the Barren Lands First Nation.

 

The size of the offer hasn’t been released.

 

The money is in response to a claim the band launched over construction of the Whitesand dam.

 

Built in 1942, the dam disrupted waterflows to Reindeer Lake and caused widespread disruption, including floods.

 

Chief Darrell McCallum says he can’t believe his people are being left out in favour of their Manitoba counterparts.

 

“They are one of the impacted First Nations along the river, but first and foremost, the most impacted one in Saskatchewan is Peter Ballantyne, as it affects three of my communities, which is Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and Southend,” McCallum says.

 

McCallum says his band won’t stop pressing the government for fair treatment over the issue.

 

So far, INAC has refused to say how much it is offering the Barren Lands First Nation.