Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 14/99) - Residents of Fort Providence may occupy the land, but they don't own it.

That fact is a bone of contention for some people according to the Hamlet's mayor, Michael McLeod, and Deh Gah Gotie chief Greg Nyuli.

"It's getting to be a real concern because a lot of people are saying they'd like to...finance their own homes, but they can't do that with a lease-only policy," McLeod said. "There's more demand for private lots."

A comprehensive claims process was initiated around 20 years ago when the leadership of the day was concerned that the lots were being sold off prior to a settlement, McLeod explained. The Hamlet agreed to abide by a lease-only policy and it remains in effect to this day.

The lots in the community are classified as either Commissioner's land, which is overseen by the GNWT, or Indian Affairs Branch (IAB) lands, also known as "band land." Those who live on IAB lands aren't required to pay lease agreements, but it's often difficult for them to finance a loan to build a home. Without having title to the land, there's no security to offer the bank.

"A lot of our people want to buy their own lot, too, even on band land. I can't go to the bank without title. These lands are kind of held on a collective basis without individual property rights," Nyuli said.

For band members and other residents who have chosen to live on Commissioner's land, their lease agreements have risen astronomically, according to Nyuli. McLeod said he has seen the same thing -- increases in leases up to 800 per cent. Most land-lease agreement in Fort Providence used to range between $200-$400, according to McLeod. Now he's been told some have jumped as high as $1,100 for a one-year lease.

"Eleven hundred dollars a year is quite a lot for some people," he said.

Nyuli agreed and said he had a problem with the entire concept.

"What's really tough for a lot of our elders is to accept the principle that they have to pay to live on that little piece of land. Money and land are two different things to a lot of our people. I personally agree with a lot of our elders in that regard," he said.

McLeod said the escalation in the cost of the leases came as a result of re-assessed property values a couple of years ago when some residents were unhappy with their rates then.

"We found out we weren't paying enough, so our leases went sky-high. I guess what they're doing now is they're claiming they're charging us market value," he said.

The Financial Management Board garnishes the wages of First Nations people living on GNWT lands who refuse to pay their lease, according to Nyuli, who added that there is one large IAB lot left undeveloped. However, much of that lot is on lowlands and is hampered by flooding. The band has been trying to get additional IAB land through DIAND for quite some time, he said.

McLeod said the issue will be on the agenda at the next tri-council meeting in June and action will be taken from there.