Too few votes mean no settlement deal for Peguis First Nation

The Peguis First Nation has neither accepted nor rejected a historic land claim settlement offer because too few cast their vote.

Althought initial reports speculated that many of the 4,000 eligible First Nation voters did cast ballots, the final count indicated that only 1,479 members voted. The settlement needed at least 2,118 band members to vote in order for a decision to be determined.

Chief Glenn Hudson said he was disappointed that the vote failed to produce the needed ballots. However, he was encouraged that 1,368 were in favour of accepting the $126 million settlement from the Canadian government.

A second vote will be required but has yet to be set.

The Peguis First Nation home territory is in the Selkirk area of Manitoba where the St. Peter's Reserver is located. Negotiations between the First Nation and Ottawa were concluded in October, 2008 after 10 years. The settlement would be in exchange for the abandonment of a 50,000-acre land claim over territory that was illegally acquired more than 100 years ago.