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FORT CHIPEWYAN - The Cree Indian Band will make its first historical distribution of part of its recent settlement with both the federal and provincial governments.
Of its $26.6 million received for compensation, the band will distribute $3,529,000 on February 15, 1987.
At its recent meeting with band members, an eight member working committee was selected to work with the chief and council and its already established Elders committee. The 21-member team will work together to discuss ways of putting their money to use.
Members chosen have served on former councils, are active in band affairs, and
are regular attendees to the band's general meetings.
"The Elders," said Chief Rita Marten, "are very important people, they are knowledgeable, and we need them to work with us on an advisory capacity."
To date, the band has established three accounts. There is $23,151,000 in the capital account. This amount has been locked into the bank and will not be touched for one year. After one year, the band will distribute 50% of its interest which will gain 8.05% interest this year, to its band members.
A loan obtained from Peace Hills Trust by a former chief and council will be paid back from the band's current account of $700,000. After paying the $240,000 loan, the remaining $460,000 will be put into the Matcitak Foundation. The Matcitak Foundation will include programs in economic development and development of its newly acquired reserve lands, a scholarship for those members who wish to continue their education at a post-secondary institution outside of the commuity and a bereavement fund, to name a few. "But this is what the working committee is set up for," said Chief Marten. "We will work together to discuss ideas of developing the Cree Band and to assist its members in whichever way we could."
The disbursement of its $3,529,000 will come out of the band's expenditure account.
The approximate 1,200 member band have chosen six options for disbursement which are listed:
1) A $900 disbursement per head ever four months beginning February 15. (Based on a 1,300 member population.)
2) An equal distribution per head of $2 million beginning February 15, and equal per capita payments for the remaining months. (Based on a 1,300 member population.)
3) A $679 disbursement per head every three months. (Based on a 1,300 member population.
4) A $2,941 disbursement per head on one lump sum on February 15. (Based on a 1,200 member population.)
5) A $2,715 disbursement per head of one lump sum on February 15. (Based on a 1,300 member population.)
6. A $271 disbursement per head for 10 months beginning February 15. The remaining money will be put into a daily interest account and the interest accumulated will be distributed to the members on a per capita basis for December payment. (Based on a 1,300 member population.)
Of the six options established, five are based on a 1,300 member population. The 100 extra would include members who have become members in the band through Bill
C-31.
Since the establishment of the six options, Chief Marten has gone door to door along with another councillor to explain in details the options to those who did not attend the meeting at which the options were discussed, or to those who do not understand the options fully. While going door to door, the chief and councillor will have a draft of the options, and people will be able to vote for which option they feel is best. The draft of the options will be sent to members not residing in the community as well. A deadline of February 6 has been set for choosing one of the options.
The general feeling in the community regarding the disbursement of the money is a very excited one.
Therese Tuccaro, a local taxi driver, says the money the members are about to receive is the talk of the town. "Being on the road from morning to night," said Therese, "I know what's going on in their minds, I know what's being talked about."
Chief Archie Cyprien of he Chipewyan Band also agrees that the mood is very intense among band members.
"I don't feel it's a good idea to choose the one lump sum of either the $2,941 per capita or the $2,715 per capita," said Chief Cyprien. To drop a bunch of money like that in the community in one day, said Chief Cyprien, could create many social problems. "I'd rather see them disperse this amount of money over a longer period of time."
When questioned about the future for the Cree Indian Band to Chief Cyprien, he felt, "the future looks pretty good if they invest wisely and look at the future." Chief Cyprien also felt that it was a very good idea to select different people of different age groups to work together as a team. "Not to look only at the immediate future of the band but to look at 20-25 years down the road."
A meeting on February 7 for the general band membership will be held to determine the final decision on the February 15 disbursement of the money.
Members not quite sure of the options or needing any clarification of the situation are asked to contact the Cree Indian band office in Fort Chipewyan by calling 697-3740.
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