Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation votes in support of $15.3M highway interchange

A $15.3-million highway interchange project near Antigonish, N.S., is one step closer to fruition after residents of the Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation voted in favour of surrendering land for the project on Thursday evening.

Ninety-six per cent of those who cast ballots supported the project. Voter turnout was 67.4 per cent, with 277 of 411 eligible voters participating.

"It was a historic day yesterday," saidRose Paul, the band's director of land and economic development. "Last night's vote was amazing. Definitely the people have spoken, and it was Decision Dayfor Paqtnkek."

ThePaqtnkekFirst Nation is located betweenHeathertonandTracadie, about 25 kilometres east ofAntigonish.

Highway 104 divides the reserve into two pieces. Ever since the highway was built in the 1960s, residents have not been able to easily access about 200 hectares to the south of the highway.

High hopes

Advocates say this project will change that.

They hope the interchange, bridges and new connector roads will pave the way for more homes as well ascommercial and retail development.

"The community is ready to grow," said Paul."They really want to see it changeand improve the socioeconomics in our community. They believe this highway project and having access to the highway property definitely will be the key."

The band will surrender about 27 hectares for the province to build the interchange on, and it will receive $2.3 million in compensation for the land and the relocation of several houses.

The project could not move forward without community approval to transfer land from the reserve to the federal government. Reserve lands are administered through the federal government and are protected by the Indian Act, which also spelled out the requirements of Thursday's vote.

The next step, Paul said, will be to designate land near the highway for economic development. The band hopes to develop its own businesses and create partnerships with existing businesses.