OTTAWA - An agreement to rebuild a flood-ravaged native reserve at its existing location has forced officials from the community and the Harper government on the defensive over accusations they were ignoring advice from a federal report and the will of the local population.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice signed the new deal Monday with Kashechewan chief Jonathon Solomon. It closed the door to two other options - to relocate the low-lying James Bay community to higher ground within its traditional territory, or to shift the reserve about 450 kilometres south to Timmins, Ont, as proposed by federal adviser Alan Pope.
Solomon, who insisted earlier this spring that his Cree community wanted to relocate, said a majority of residents changed their mind in recent weeks after a lengthy consultation process.
A survey of residents from March found that a majority wanted to move to higher ground but stay within the boundaries of their traditional territory. Prentice said the $500-million price tag was too high.
But opposition Liberals and New Democrats suggested the government was letting down the Cree community that has been evacuated three times since 2004 because of spring flooding and a tainted water crisis. (Edit: and we all know what a great track record the Liberals have in dealing with Native issues)
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