Inuvik (Aug 25/03) - The Gwich'in Tribal Council wants all non-Gwich'in beneficiaries with cabins on Gwich'in land to pay up.

According to the 1992 land claim agreement, the GTC and local bands have the right to charge rent or evict non-beneficiaries who are on private Gwich'in land.

But up until now that right has not been exercised.

Of the "handful" of cabins and tent platforms in question, one is registered, said Joe Benoit, lands manager for the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"It's just the fact that there are a lot of cabins that aren't noted accurately," said Benoit of why GTC has chosen now as the time to charge rent.

"There is no list of non-beneficiaries' cabins and they are seemingly refusing to come forward. So, I'm going to go find out myself."

Benoit said the four Gwich'in bands in Inuvik, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic will make the final decision about who stays or goes.

"The community will get to decide who gets to stay and who gets to go," said Benoit.

"Dollars to donuts many of them will probably get to stay."

Where the cabins are

Aklavik chief Charlie Furlong said there are non-beneficiary cabins around his community.

He said the cabins in question are mostly around Inuvik in the Airport Lake area.

Inuvik residents are drawn to Airport Lake -- also known as Dolomite Lake -- because it's close to town and easily accessible all year. There are about 15 cabins presently hugging the lake shore.

Al German, Inuvik fire chief, is the only non-beneficiary in the Gwich'in land claim area around Inuvik to register his cabin.

German's cabin is on Onion Lake, just beyond Airport Lake. He's had a cabin there for 15 years and he's still the only one there.

Having a cabin is important to him.

"Otherwise you get cabin fever if you can't get out on the land and enjoy it."

Anyone who wants to build a cabin or tent platform on Gwich'in land should contact the GTC for an application, said Benoit.

A four-acre parcel of land is $450 a year.

"We don't care if you use it once a year or all year," said Benoit of the rent. "It's for the duration."

Commissioner's land

Commissioner's land must be leased just like Gwich'in land claim areas, according to John Picek, superintendent for Municipal and Community Affairs in Inuvik.

He said if the land is within a municipality's boundaries, one should go to the municipal office to register.

The municipal council can act as land agents for the GNWT, he said. If the land is located outside municipal boundaries, then go to MACA.

Those who don't apply are squatters.

"If you don't apply then you're without land tenure and have no security for investments you've made to the property," said Picek.

An annual lease varies from situation to situation. Each land parcel is evaluated based on a land pricing policy, said Picek.