Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - August 30, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba Winnipeg free press wednesday August 30, 2006 a5 treaty settlement suffers setback by Jen Skerritt the largest aboriginal treaty settlement in provincial history suffered a setback yesterday when not enough voters from pegu is first nation cast their ballot in support of the agreement. Last night acting treaty land entitle ment coordinator Earl Stevenson said Only 1,384 of 3,526 eligible voters cast a ballot. The vote required 1,764 eligible voters to Mark a ballot. Stevenson said pegu is will now have to wait for the minister of Indian affairs to declare a second round of voting where there will not be a required num Ber of eligible voters. The settlement will go ahead As Long As a majority of voters Are in favour of the Deal. Despite the setback Stevenson said 91 per cent of voters supported the agreement which has been under negotiations for the past eight years. Out of 1,384 votes 1,260 were in favour of the land settlement 106 were against and 13 ballots were spoiled. Its a disappointment that they did to get a required majority but its a solid indication of overwhelming support for the agreement Stevenson said. The $64-million Deal settles a dispute Between pegu is and the Federal and provincial governments Over 160,000 acres of land lost 99 years ago. The Money from the settlement will go towards purchasing land and setting up a Trust fund for the Community located 175 Kilometres North of Winnipeg. Under the settlement pegu is receives 50,000 acres of Crown land in Manitoba which will be designated Reserve land by Ottawa. Pegu is is allowed to choose available Crown land anywhere in the province. Manitoba is responsible to provide available Crown land and the Federal government pays a Cash settlement if there is not enough available Crown land to Settle the land claim. Ottawa will pay the $64-million in instalments Over the next five years and pegu is will have 25 years to buy private land. Stevenson said he believes political opposition to pegu is current govern ment discouraged Many residents from voting. He Calls the opposition irresponsible but said another round of Vot ing will have a More positive outcome. Once the Deal is secured Stevenson said pegu is will be Able to secure a wonderful future for generations Down the Road. This will mean the Security of our future generations will be that much More secure he said last night. Well be giving them the Opportunity to build on the foundation our chief and Council will be Canadian senior games Portage welcomes seniors to games More than 1,100 participants sign up for 21 events j ust like fast Eddie Felson played by Paul Newman in the Hustler Lilly Bilton has her own two piece Cue. And she knows How to use it. Last year she won a Silver medal in snooker at the Mani Toba senior 55 plus games in Neepawa. Beginning today she a entered in the eight Ball 70?plus category at the Canada senior games which run through Satur Day in Portage la Prairie. I Only wish i was As Good As Paul Newman ? chuckled Bilton. I have Only been playing eight Ball since june so this is my first tournament. I am not expecting to win and i Don to really care. I love to watch them play and if we have the time we will watch the baseball and the other activities that will be going the games Are More than just an on the web for a detailed schedule of the games and results go to the games website at . athletic Competition for seniors. They Are a Celebration of the spiritual mental and physical Well being among canadians 55 years of age and older. They Span a wide Range of physical and mental challenges including slow pitch softball con tract Bridge darts Lawn Bowling eight Ball track and Field ice hockey and Curling to name Only a few. The 21 events Over the next four Days Are expected to bring together competitors who participate for the Joy of Competition the Opportunity to travel and the camaraderie and social interaction. Games manager Lois dudgeon says if total registration is any indication these games Are already the most successful of All. As of noon yester Day we had 1,125 participants and 250 non participants which include spouses and family members said dudgeon. All of our hotels have been booked solid since the last games at Whitehorse in 2004, including hotels and motels in All the surrounding communities. We also have More than 250 people billeted in More than 80 Homes in and around Portage. Five Hundred volunteers will be working at the games and most of them Are older than 55.? the financial spin off from the games could be As High As $1.5 Mil lion if Whitehorse is any indication. I think Overall there will be significant economic benefits for the Community said Shawn Cabak president of the Portage chamber of Commerce adding the most obvious to Benefit would be the hotels restau rants and shopping centres participants and visitors Are sure to flock to. Bilton who is 75, credits her life Long Friend Marg Moffat 86, for dragging her into Competition. I never thought of entering the games last year in Neepawa she said. That was the first time i tried. I would never have even considered it Canadian senior games at a glance dates today through saturday location Portage la Prairie participants 1,125 volunteers 500 plus. Total number of events 21 events and venues Badminton Southport gymnasium tomorrow through saturday. Bowling Southport Bowling Alley today through saturday. Contract Bridge Alliance Church today through saturday. Cribbage Canad inns tomorrow through saturday. Ice Curling Centennial Arena East today through saturday. Cycling Road to Southport Tomor Row through saturday. Darts army Navy and air Force tomorrow through saturday. Duplicate Bridge Alliance Church tomorrow through saturday. Eight Ball legion tomorrow through saturday. Floor Curling Canad inns tomorrow through saturday. Floor shuffleboard Canad inns tomorrow through saturday. 18-Hole Golf Portage Golf course tomorrow and Friday. Hockey Centennial Arena West today through saturday. Horseshoes Republic of Manitoba Park tomorrow and Friday. Scrabble Canad inns tomorrow and Friday. So pitch softball Republic of Manitoba Park today through saturday. Swimming Southport swimming Pool tomorrow through saturday. Table Tennis yellow Quill school tomorrow and Friday. Tennis Portage Tennis club today through saturday. Track and Field yellow Quill school today through Friday. Whist Canad inns tomorrow through saturday. because i did to think i was Good enough to go but Marg talked me into it and Low and behold i won Silver but know what it in to Only whether you win or lose or whatever. It is the fun of being with All those different peo ple in All those different do the competitive juices still flow the Way the once did no i love to try my Best but if i Don to do Well that is Fine said Bilton who practices at shooters on Pembina Highway. I Admire the other person for looking Back Over her years Bilton marvels at How far seniors have come. The attitude among seniors was of no. I could to do it is completely different now. Seniors Are definitely More aware of fitness and health issues theses Days she said. The doctor tells them to take this and they ask Why in the Olden Days we did to question anything. Seniors Are smarter today and they Are Well read. We can do research on computers there is information available everywhere.?. ;