Natuashish employees still not paid

A number of people in the Labrador Innu community of Natuashish are having trouble paying their bills because the reserve's band council appears to be having financial problems.

The Natuashish band is the main employer on the reserve, and band employees haven't been paid in weeks.

The band council receives millions of dollars to perform most municipal functions, including run health and addictions services.

Recreation director Virginia Collins is anxious to get paid, but says the Natuashish band hasn't transferred anything into her bank account for the last two pay periods, with no explanation.

"A lot of people are struggling to keep up with their bills, and they're behind on their loans and everything else," said Collins."That's our livelihood and we're just not getting our pay."

Since relocating from Davis Inlet a decade ago, the Innu of Natuashish have faced periods of tumultuous leadership but workers were still paid-- until August, when paycheques started bouncing.

Some employees are now considering staying home next week in protest, while others are talking about quitting.

The federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs says it will intervene if basic services are compromised.