Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (May 06/01) - Gwich'in beneficiaries will be receiving a dividend this year for the first time since their land claim was settled in 1992.

The Gwich'in Tribal Council announced Wednesday that each beneficiary over the age of 18 will be getting a $400 cheque this month. A trust fund is being set up for beneficiaries 18 and under so they can access their payment when they reach the age of 19.

There are approximately 1,800 adults eligible for the payout, and a total of 2,500 eligible when underage recipients are included, said Fred Carmichael, Gwich'in Tribal Council president. The total payout will be about $1 million.

"Our development corporation is doing very well -- we've got it turned around so in the future, we're hoping to be able to continue to pay a dividends."

The payout is possible this year because the federal government is paying the council $9 million, for a decade of accumulated royalties from oil development in Norman Wells. Under their comprehensive agreement, the Gwich'in are supposed to receive part of the royalties for any development taking place in the NWT, but Ottawa had overlooked the payments until about three years ago. The Sahtu will also be receiving a payment of $9 million for their share of unpaid royalties.

"Every three years, there is a review of the obligations under the claim," explained Charlie Furlong, chief of the Aklavik Indian Band, and a key player in the royalties settlement. "If someone falls behind, we have to remind each other."

Of the $9 million received by the Gwich'in, approximately $2 million is going into the economic and social development fund, $1 million into culture and language, $2 million Gwich'in Development Corp., and $1 million into tribal council operations.

With the well-heeled Inuvialuit Regional Corporation for a neighbour, the Gwich'in Tribal Council has been under pressure for years to start paying its members the kind of yearly dividends that Inuvialuit beneficiaries receive.