Innu still waiting

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The Innu in Davis Inlet have another wait on their hands.

Peter Penasue, head of the Innu Nation, walked away from negotiations with the federal government last month, frustrated at Ottawa's lack of commitment and level of inaction over moving the Innu out of the inlet.

September marks the eighth month since the Innu's plight first made national and then international headlines. Although conditions in the remote community of 500 are improving gradually, the poverty, alcoholism, sexual abuse, despair and loneliness still abound.

Chief federal negotiator Ross Reid said he understands the Innu's situation and

will act as soon as they put their demands for relocation in writing. But no one should take him at his word. The Innu presented their demands in writing six months ago. They know where they want to go. With a federal election only seven months away the politicians in Ottawa are probably more concerned with keeping their jobs than with saving a community moving it only 15 kilometres.

And so the Innu wait some more.