Status without land leaves Indians in limbo

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Leaders of six Ontario bands say they have been left in limbo after being granted band status by the federal government.

They say that they are not eligible for financial support since they have no land base. Without federally funded education programs, the children of the 431-member Key-Way-Win band have not attended school for years, ever since they were granted band status.

A department document prepared for Indian Affairs Minister Bill McKnight points out the "enormous costs" of funding education, health and social programs and new bands and reserve land will be granted only if there was a legal obligation or health and safety were threatened by natural disaster.

An official in Mr. McKnight's office says the question of legal obligation to provide living services is being referred to the department's legal services.

Meanwhile, the six chiefs have returned their annual treaty payments to Ottawa to protest.