"Innu Fear Delay of Move"

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld, (CP) - Innu in Davis Inlet say they fear federal-provincial bickering could needlessly delay relocation of their community.

Chief Katie Rich said Wednesday she is worried the province and Ottawa, who share responsibility for the Innu, will wrangle over who will pay the multimillion-dollar bill for the move. Also worrisome is provincial concern over the Innu's preferred site of Sango Bay, she said.

Later in the day, Premier Clyde Wells reiterated his concern about the choice. He cautioned the two governments and the Innu not to exclude other sites or the option of moving to an existing community.

The premier, who said he supports the move, said Sango is essentially no less isolated than the island of Davis Inlet. He also questioned whether relocation to Sango would offer the Innu any more economic opportunities or access to better services.

When the federal government announced earlier this week it would move the community, it did not name a new site. However, both the Innu and a joint federal-provincial study have called for relocation to Sango Bay, also known as Sango Pond, about 15 kilometres from Davis Inlet.

A consultant has estimated it will cost $184 million over 50 years to build a new village and hydroelectric dam. Sango currently has no electricity, no communication links or airstrip.