REGINA - Some members of a Saskatchewan First Nation say there are more questions than answers about the development of a potash mine on reserve land.

The Muskowekwan First Nation announced last fall that it had signed an agreement with Vancouver-based Encanto Potash Corp. (TSX:V:EPO) to develop the mine on the reserve, about 75 kilometres northeast of Regina.

Band member Pamela Blondeau says people haven't been given enough information to know if they should support the deal.

"My biggest concern is I don't understand anything about potash or mining and I'd like to know what's going on with the environment," said Blondeau. "What (are) the long-term effects? What (are) the short-term effects? When Encanto gets up and leaves, what is Muskowekwan First Nations going to look like? Is it going to be livable? Those are some of my concerns."

Blondeau was among a handful of band members who raised concerns at a news conference Tuesday in Regina.

The band members say they've been told that they'll get a chance to vote on the agreement, but no date has been set. They say Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will give them 45 days notice.

"I don't know what I'm going to vote. I don't know if I'll vote yes. I don't know if I'll vote no," said Blondeau.

"I do understand that everybody's concerned about the money right now because there's billions of dollars that is being poured into this potash deal but does the negative outweigh the positives? Does the positives outweigh the negatives? Right now, I'm at a position where I don't know at all."

As part of the deal, the Muskowekwan First Nation is to be paid a total fee of $1 million based on certain milestones being achieved. An initial $200,000 has already been paid. A wholly owned operating company, Muskowekwan Resources Ltd., also gets a share of the royalties from the resource.

Muskowekwan Chief Reginald Bellerose could not immediately be reached for comment.

But Bellerose said last fall that the joint venture would generate revenue for his people, as well as create employment, training and business opportunities. It would allow the community to reduce its historical dependence on government funding and be more self-reliant, he said.

He also said the development would not compromise the Muskowekwan First Nation's existing rights, assets, environment or culture.