More than 60,000 applying for Mi'kmaq status

An aboriginal leader on Newfoundland's west coast says the future of the fledgling Qalipu First Nation could be in jeopardy because of a flood of applications for membership.

Liz LaSaga says when the Qalipu agreement was made with the federal government, officials expected about 11,000 people to join the landless Mi'kmaq band.

But LaSaga said that number could reach 65,000 by next month, as thousands of unexpected claims ofMi'kmaq ancestry arrive.

LaSaga said she is worried that the large volume of applications will stretch the resources of officials who are reviewing them.

She also said the federal government will be questioning some people's claims.

"A lot were - are - embellished or thought to be embellished, and they will be audited,"LaSaga told CBC News.

"People do this because now that we're in place where, you know, we have identity which is now all of a sudden being noticed as a good thing and we have resources that people want to tap into."

Recognized members of the band are entitled to health benefits, funding for education and tax relief on some goods.

When the federal government announced in 2007 that Mi'kmaq in Newfoundland and Labrador would be eligible to receive status under the Indian Act, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians had about 7,800 members.

Qalipu's first election will be held Oct. 23.