Monday, September 29, 2008

Innu hydro deal will be hard to sell, former leader claims

A tentative deal involving Innu leaders and the Newfoundland and Labrador government over land rights and hydro revenues came with no consultation, a former leader says.

The Innu Nation and leaders of the two Innu communities in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish have sided with the government in a deal that includes compensation for flooding in the late 1960s for the Upper Churchill power megaproject, and royalties for the undeveloped Lower Churchill project.

If Innu Nation members ratify the deal, it could mean about $100 million in compensation for Upper Churchill flooding between now and 2041, and millions of dollars more if the Lower Churchill project proceeds.

Former Innu Nation president David Nuk said he hopes some of the money is directed to training and literacy programs.

However, he is upset no one asked him or other Innu Nation members what they wanted.

"It's going to be hard for the leadership to sell this project to the communities, I think," he said.

"What's the point of voting on something that's been, in my opinion, been done? There was a lack of consultation and [people were] undermined by this procedure."

Innu Nation members will vote on the deal, which also see Innu take clear and partial title over parcels of land, in January.

Greg Patishi, who lives in central Labrador community of Sheshatshiu, said he hopes the agreement paves the way for benefits in his community. However, he said he should never have heard about it first over his home radio.

"I'm still shocked," he said. "In some ways, you feel left out. Again, hopefully it would be nice for them to tell us what's going on."

The deal was announced in St. John's, hours after a marathon negotiation finished early Friday morning.

Innu Nation leaders are planning a series of briefing meetings for members before the vote is held.

Business leaders are welcoming the agreement, which both the Innu and the Newfoundland and Labrador government described as historic.

Dave Hunt, president of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Chamber of Commerce, said the millions of dollars tied up in the agreement will improve the overall economy.

"The Innu now are comfortable and, you know, they're building buildings and paving roads and doing all sorts of stuff in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish," Hunt told CBC News.

"This is great for their communities and great for their people."

The agreement with the Innu removes a potential obstacle from development of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric megaproject, which Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is hoping to launch on two sites on the Churchill River.

Hunt said he is pleased that the Lower Churchill development is closer to becoming a reality, and added that the megaproject would mean thousands of new jobs for the area.



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