Disgruntled Musqueam band members who failed to have leaky roofs designated as the top priority on their Indian reserve in southwest Vancouver are threatening to stage an occupation of the band office during the Winter Games to tell the world about their soggy, mouldy homes.
Band members voted Thursday evening on a resolution authorizing distribution of $16-million paid to the Musqueam in recognition of their role as one of the official hosts of the 2010 Olympic Games.
A comprehensive plan listing priorities for distribution of the fund had a new gym, renovations of a beach along the Fraser River, and soccer field and facilities as the top three priorities.
Housing renovation was 11th on the list.
"There are some houses down there [in which] it's raining in the inside," Musqueam band member Mike Sparrow said in an interview.
While trying to organize support to shift priorities on the reserve, he heard about a ceiling that collapsed during a recent rain storm, he said.
"It got so soggy and mouldy, all the Gyprock just fell through.
"So they had to take out a big section of the ceiling in the living room of this one house," Mr. Sparrow said.
He said that another house, on the reserve where the roof fell in last winter during heavy rains, has not yet been fixed. The roof collapsed in the kitchen.
The band fixed up a space downstairs for the woman who lived in the house.
"They tore out all the drywall and everything upstairs. Then they left her downstairs and have not touched it since - that was over a year ago," Mr. Sparrow said.
The Musqueam, one of the wealthiest Indian bands in Canada, possess real estate that would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars if developed.
However, around 40 per cent of the homes on the reserve required major repairs, according to a Statistics Canada report last year.
The band is currently building 40 new homes after completing 15 homes last year.
Musqueam Chief Ernie Campbell did not respond yesterday to a request for an interview.
Ken McGregor, the band's manager, refused to release the results of the vote. He said the outcome was "the business of the Musqueam Indian band."
Mr. Sparrow said that 124 members supported the band's plan and 57 were opposed.
"It was the most unusual general band meeting I have ever seen. They just went in there and called the vote right away. They never had any discussion on the motion," he said. "They are following the procedures, the bare minimum."
The polls were open for two hours. Mr. Sparrow said he quickly realized those supporting the plan were better organized.
Those in favour of the plan checked voting lists to find out who had not come out and then text-messaged them, he said.
Mr. Sparrow also said he had difficulty persuading some people to come out for the vote.
"The families are so beaten down. A lot of the response I got was, ‘what difference is it going to make? The band does not do anything for me. It's not going to change.' I got that from a lot of people. They are totally discouraged," Mr. Sparrow said.