Mikmaw say Nova Scotia premier not consulting on natural resource projects

About two dozen Mi’kmaw land protectors and supporters waited outside for Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston as he met with members of the chamber of commerce, hoping to get a chance to talk about resource extraction in the province and his duty to consult. “We’re here today as land protectors and waters protectors and to protect the un-ceded Mi’kmaw territory and to let him know he needs to come and talk to us,” said Thunderbird Swooping Down Woman. Houston was meeting with local business leaders at a local hotel in Truro for a $100 plate luncheon where he mingled and spoke about building the Nova Scotia economy by promoting resource development and fracking, APTN confirmed. Glenda Juanita, a Mi’kmaw land protector, says they’ve been left out of the discussions. “With all that’s been done under Mi’kma’ki and to the Mi’kmaw and to the allies, is really unfair, especially unfair when he’s addressing every other issue that concerns everything else in Mi’kma’ki but nothing about the Mi’kmaw itself,” she said. The Mi’kmaw at the rally said the province’s plans ignore the Peace and Friendship Treaties and the duty to consult. “We’re not getting our chance to speak,” said Wolf Knows Fangs. “Even as we try to use our democratic right to come down here and voice, we’re being denied access at the gate, this needs to stop.” Houston spoke to reporters after the luncheon and said he is consulting with Mi’kmaw leadership. “There’s a very defined consultation process,” he said. “We of course respect that and try to keep the conversation open both ways but these are discussions that have to happen and they do happen and continue to work with them.” Truro is the 5th stop on his chamber of commerce tour of meetings with business leaders. APTN asked Houston if he’d meet with the land protectors. “It would be very common for me to meet with protesters, people who are on strike and labor; that’s a very common thing to do,” he said. “We like to engage with people who are peaceful and reasonable, but so, I’m happy to do that, we do that quite a bit and you know with great respect for our First Nations communities.” Land protectors waited three hours to speak with Houston on this day but with no success. They said they’ll keep following the premier as he meets with business leaders. Continue Reading