Band members of Driftpile First Nation, living in teachers’ residences, have until Aug. 15 to move out of their homes.
“The last council changed it to band housing,” says Gay Giroux, one of the residents. “This council changed it again and evicted us for teachers to move in.”
Giroux is one of three families who spoke with Lakeside Leader on Friday (Aug. 8). The group planned to pitch tents in front of the band office and hope chief and council got the message.
Another family, Tanya Collins and Bernard Coleman, are expecting a child on Aug. 13. Moving right now is just not an option, says Collins.
“I can’t stay in a tent. I’m going to have my baby any time,” says Collins. “I’m not budging.”
Six families received letters in May notifying them that chief and council made a decision regarding the units. Last week they received a second letter, dated July 31, notifying residents they had just 14 days to be out.
Giroux says they spoke with the housing director, Lonnie Bellerose, and were told not to worry that something would happen during the interim.
In a telephone interview Bellerose says he made no promises.
“I didn’t promise them anything. I was trying to console them.”
It comes down to a housing shortage, says Bellerose. There are more than 70 people on a waiting list, but the band only has so much money for new housing.
“We have a major housing shortage on our reserve. We’ve been getting the same money from Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada for housing for the past 20 years.”
Normally, when a band member wants a house, he or she places a deposit of $500 and are placed on the selection list.
One family living in the teacher’s residences was just approved for a new home, now under construction, says Bellerose.
The other five families have not placed a deposit on housing units.
But, say residents, they were given the homes they were living in as part of temporary band housing.
Why do the rules change now? asks Giroux.
For some of the residents, moving means having to give up their jobs on the reserve.
Tahnee Giroux, 14-years-old and student at the Driftpile school is worried. More than that, she’s also concerned with the example set by chief and council.
“It teaches us bad leadership,” says Giroux. “They’re not thinking of later. They’re thinking of now and what they want.”
Bellerose says there’s nothing the band can do. Residents were given three months notice, now the residences are needed for teachers.
“I’m totally sympathetic to their cause but there’s just nothing we can do right now.”
Driftpile First Nation Chief Rose Laboucan was unavailable for comment.

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