Labrador Innu housing plan nixed

Two Innu chiefs in Labrador have backed down from a controversial plan to build homes with money from a trust fund for Innu children after hundreds of residents signed a petition opposing the development.

Neither Natuashish Chief Simeon Tshakapesh nor Sheshatshiu Chief Sebastien Benuen could be reached for comment, but sources told CBC News Monday the leaders abandoned the idea after more than 300 Natuashish and Sheshatshui residents signed the petition.

The sources said the chiefs will look for another source of money to build new homes.

Speaking on a Labrador Innu radio station, a band councillor also confirmed the plan to use $25 million from the trust fund has been cancelled.

Yvette Michel, one of the people opposed to the housing proposal, went door-to-door in Sheshatshiu asking people for signatures.

"I'm speaking for the kids that aren't even born yet," Michel told CBC News Monday."I'm fighting for them to have a future.There is not going to be any more money [in that fund] once that is open."

The chiefs wanted to spent $25 million to build more houses in their communities.

They planned to use money from a trust fund  for young Innu people established with royalties from Vale's nickel mine near Voisey's Bay in northern Labrador.