17 August 2007
Madawaska Band Settles with Federal Government
Members of the Madawaska First Nation will get a financial boost
if a referendum early next year approves a settlement with the federal government that was 30 years in the making.
An agreement has been reached that ends a three-decade dispute over property expropriation by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Madawaska Chief Jonna Bernard says the deal is worth $5 million, and a return of part of the land.
"I'm feeling very happy that it's finally over. It was a lot of work and a lot of stress, but we came through," Bernard said.
"There were times that it wasn't too nice, but we got through it and we resolved the situation."
Bernard says the 230 members of the band will vote on the settlement in January. If the deal is approved, each band member will receive
$10,000.
Bernard says the rest of the money will be used for infrastructure and housing to improve the community.
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