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West Point out of room

Plans to expand within Hay River town boundaries

Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Nov 26/01) - Things are getting bogged down for a tiny First Nation that wants more space.

West Point's 70 members want to take over some commissioner's land within Hay River's town boundaries. About half those members live in town, because there is no room left to build houses on four hectares the band has now.


NNSL Photo

West Point Chief Karen Thomas shows on a map where the community wants to expand. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

It wants at least 25 more hectares but the plan is getting controversial, because it involves prime beach front property. It's also within Hay River's municipal boundary. The town says it doesn't control commissioner's land, but a DIAND spokesman says the town's wishes will be rubber-stamped by higher government levels. The town is working on a planning strategy which will include the West Point area. Mayor Duncan McNeill says he'll follow the public's wishes, but acknowledges the public isn't aware of West Point's request.

In two meetings with West Point so far "we didn't disagree with anything they wanted to do," McNeill said.

But last summer the town changed its mind about permission it gave for some land clearing, to build a day care. A stop-work order was issued.

That land, across from the band office, has no zoning yet. It's other land across the highway to the beach which "is the biggest issue, McNeill said."

He also said West Point needs to make plans for the area more detailed than what it has now. West Point chief Karen Thomas said she's enlisted help from Deh Cho First Nation negotiators to help speed things up. They'll be in Hay River Dec. 4.

Thomas says most of the expansion would be on the other side of the highway, but she wants to establish a store and bed and breakfast on the beach side.

"The majority of our members are young," Thomas says of the need for space.

Jim Coughlin, a DIAND land manager, says Hay River would be expected to hold public hearings on any land transfer.

He said the commissioner's lands would likely be leased to the town at market rates, and the town would in turn lease it back to the band. There is a policy, he said, of not turning over title until land claims conclude.

A small expansion in 1987 created room for about four more lots at West Point. The community, with 16 houses, is NWT's smallest First Nation.