Article contentCape Breton MLA and Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette said the decision to bundle several amendments into single legislation — called omnibus bills — was nothing but an attempt to limit full debate and confuse the public. Article contentArticle contentRIGHTFUL OWNERS Article contentEskasoni Chief Leroy Denny, co-chair of the assembly, said: “We were gathered for the past two days at a Treaty Education Conference, talking about our rights and our rightful place on these lands and waters, while Nova Scotia was making unilateral decisions and pushing through legislation with hidden agendas to stifle the voices of our Nation.” Article contentIn its release, the assembly – which is made up of 13 chiefs of each of Nova Scotia’s First Nation communities – said it wants to make clear that “as the Rightful owners of these lands and resources, other levels of government need to understand that the Mi’kmaq also have a jurisdiction over how their territory is used.” Article contentArticle contentThe assembly said Nova Scotians should be frustrated with a government they feel is circumventing systems built with the Mi’kmaq to push through changes – legislative or otherwise – to make things easier for themselves, yet ignores responsibility to the environment. Article content“Premier Houston and his government need to know that they are not the only ones calling the shots here in Mi’kma’ki. We not only hold Treaty Rights, but also Aboriginal Rights, Jurisdictions and Title, as we never ceded or surrendered our lands, waters and resources,” said Chief Terrance Paul of Membertou First Nation. “Making decisions without us is unconstitutional and wrong.” Article content Nova Scotia’s L’nu Affairs Minister Leah Martin has angered the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs by her support of a bill that could criminalize people taking part in Mi’kmaw protests against logging and other environmental concerns. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentMEETING SOUGHT Article contentThe assembly wants to meet with Houston immediately. Article content“He must be reminded that his government is bound by Peace and Friendship Treaties with the Mi’kmaq,” the press release says. It calls on the premier to live up to and respect the nation-to-nation obligation reconciliation efforts call for. Article contentArticle contentThe historic Peace and Friendship treaties were signed in the Maritimes and Gaspé among the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, and Passamaquoddy Nations before 1779. Those treaties said nothing about the surrender of lands and resources. Rather, they recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was intended to be an ongoing relationship between nations. Article contentAccording to an initiative in PEI called “L’nuey,” the Peace and Friendship treaties guarantee the Mi’kmaq right to hunt, fish, gather, and earn a reasonable living, and still stand today.’ Article content“While these treaties sought to achieve a peaceful coexistence, the Mi’kmaq were never conquered and never surrendered, gave up or ceded their land. Mi’kma’ki is still Mi’kmaq territory.” Article content We not only hold Treaty Rights, but also Aboriginal Rights, Jurisdictions and Title, as we never ceded or surrendered our lands, waters and resources,” said Chief Terrance Paul of Membertou First Nation. Photo by Meghan Dewar /ContributedArticle contentAGAINST HISTORIC TREATIES Article contentChief Sidney Peters of Glooscap First Nation and also co-chair of the assembly expressed frustration at the provincial government’s speed of this last sitting and says it goes against the historic treaties.
‘Dismissing our Mikmaw voices’: Passage of bill angers Nova Scotia Mikmaw leaders
