TLE fund proposal vote set for mid-December

But voting procedure raising eyebrows

BY PHILIP PAUL-MARTIN

Long Plain First Nation, Man-The battle over access to Long Plain's TLE dollars has intensified in the past few weeks.

Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches has stepped up efforts to gain support in community for a proposal to use TLE funds to construct a 47,000 square foot 'Ojibway Inn on the Crescent.' The proposed hotel would sit on reserve land just outside Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on the site of the former Yellowquill College.

One band member, who requested anonymity, says Meeches has informed off reserve members that he has the support of the majority of on reserve residents.

"That just isn't true. Look at the position our chief is putting our people in. There's pressure put on us to support his dream. That's not right. TLE dollars are meant for one thing," said the source. "It's to acquire lands that were not provided to us under treaty. That's it. It's not a personal banking account for our chief to go and raid when he wants something. To us the message is clear. Support the hotel or you are going to suffer."

And others band members contacted by the Drum are expressing reservations about the plan fearing that it is a huge gamble.

"Do you honestly think that the motoring public is going to stop and frequent a hotel run by Indians if they had a choice? Get real. Just look at the way the public reacted when the aboriginal casinos were being shot down one by one. No one has to say anything. Just look at what happened."

A community vote on the proposal to allocate TLE funds for the project originally scheduled for December the 5th has been pushed back until December 19th.

However it appears that chief and council are now attempting to ensure band members identify themselves for the vote by insisting band members place their names and addresses on the envelopes when returning their referendum ballots to Long Plain.

A copy of a letter sent out to Long Plain band members from the administration and finance department dated November 28, 2002 stated, "Your ballot may be considered invalid (spoiled) if your name does not appear on the return envelope."

But according to Long Plain band member Peter Yellowquill says that negates the voters' right to anonymity.

"It's so easy for them to look at the envelope and see the way you have voted when they open it. It's just another form of intimidation. They are pulling out all of the stops to get their hotel built. But it's not their money."

Attempts to reach Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches at press time were unsuccessful, however Meeches has previously insisted that the community has the right to utilize TLE funds in their own way for the overall benefit of the community.

And he said the economic benefits from the proposed hotel complex and other projects that the use of TLE funds could provide the community is necessary for the reserve to develop a solid economic base.