Tobique First Nation votes on $39M land claim settlement

There is fierce support and opposition among members of Tobique First Nation over a nearly$40-million dollar land claimthat's been under negotiation more than 40 yearsand is finally being decided through a voteWednesday.

The $39.2-million settlementfrom the federal governmentwould be compensationfor10,000acres of land near the reserve or morethan 4,000 hectares that was taken overby Ottawa acentury ago.

"It's basically compensation for the land that they took. For lack of a better term,stole,"said ChiefRoss Perley.

The deal, which would provide at least$13,500 for every memberof the First Nation, could drastically change the lives of people in the community.

But whether the change would be beneficialis very much up for debate.

AsLarry Sockabasin holds his grandson Easton, while walking out of the polling station, he explains why he voted Yes.

"I'm looking towards their children, their grandchildren. See the benefit each year before Christmas,"Sockabasin said.

"It makesa big difference."

Former chief opposes

Former chief Stewart Paul, who dealt with the issue for years, can understand why people would vote Yes, although he is firmly opposed.

"The offer is really low. I think the government is getting away real cheap," said Paul.

"I know areas where they've paid $2million for two acres," he said.

I think the government is getting away real cheap.- Stewart Paul, former chief

Paul said he takes issue with how the deal would affect treaty rights that flow from the river.

But the deal wouldn't affect fishing or hunting rights, according to Perley.

The chief said the First Nation hasn't had harvesting rights onthe 10,000-acre areafor more than 100 years, when the federal government illegally took theland.

Several residentsfromoutsidethe First Nation own properties on the land, south of theTobique River.

Other concerns overthe land settlementinclude not enough consultation with Ottawa and the influx of cashspurring on the cycle of alcohol and drug abuse in the community.

"What scares me the most withthat kind of money [is]there's people that's never had that kind of money,"saidAnthony Paul Sappier, who's lived in Tobique First Nation his entire life.

"I'm afraid they're going to hurt themselves, whetherit be drugsor vehicles or what have you,"Sappier said.

2,000 band members get 80%

If the First Nation votes Yes, 80 per cent of the money wouldgo to the more than 2,000 bandmembers.

Even children will receive their full share, but it will be kept in a trust fund until they're 18 years old.

The other 20 per centof the lump sum would gotoward a trust to be used forcommunity development and the purchase of a new piece of land.

If the majority of people vote against the proposal, it's back to the drawing board.

Some worry it could take decades more to negotiateanother offer from Ottawa.

"It's an unknown, we don't know if the evaluation [of the land claim] is correct, or even if the government is willing to open the claim back up again," said Perley.

"It could take decades, we don't know."

Voting ends at8 p.m.