Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn – we are seeking consensus

PJILA’SI – KWILMU’KW MAW-KLUSUAQN

Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn is seeking consensus on the best ways to implement our Aboriginal and treaty rights… for now, and for seven generations to come.

About Us

We work on behalf of the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia in discussions with the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada on how the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia will implement their Treaty Rights, as provided by our ancestors in the covenant chain of Treaties signed in the 1700’s. This site is constantly updated with information, educational materials and ways to provide input and guidance on our work, so please check back regularly.

Learn More

T’an Teliaq Aq ki’s Teliaq

News and Updates

Newsletter – Summer 2024

Posted in Culture by Crystal Dorey on October 25, 2024

We’re proud to bring you our quarterly newsletter, with this one focused on what we’ve been working on since during Summer 2024. Each season, our newsletters aim to provide updates on the various files and activities at KMK. If you read about something and would like to learn more, as

Community Meeting Handbook

Posted in Culture by Crystal Dorey on September 26, 2024

To help organizations, governments and proponents to know the best way to engage Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia, we developed the Community Meeting Handbook. We hope it becomes a good tool for how to best engage and work with our communities. Community Meeting Handbook

MKK – Draft Law

Posted in Culture, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on August 14, 2024

Since 2017, the Maw-Kleyu’kik Knijannaq (MKK) Team has been working with community, organizations and Chiefs to develop the Maw-Kleyu’kik Kikmanaq Customary Code for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. This draft law is to help the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia reclaim their right and authority to exercise complete jurisdiction and governance

Mi’kmaq Forestry Initiative

Forestry

Secured lands near St. Croix and in Digby county which have since become the foundation of the Mi’kmaq Forestry Initiative. These blocks total over 50,000 acres of forested lands. In size, they are more than double the area of all current Mi’kmaq reserves in Nova Scotia put together. Work continues with CMM and UINR on this important initiative.

Coastal Erosion and Burial Grounds on the Bras d’Or

Archaeological Research Division

According to the Assembly’s human remains protocol, ancestors should be left to rest, and their remains should not be disturbed. KMKNO has taken measures to protect two burial sites that had begun eroding, mostly as a result of storm action.
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Mi’kmaq Park Passes

Rights Implementation

The establishment of the Parks Canada Interim Arrangement and Mi’kmaq Park Passes which gives the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia free access to any National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia.
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Special Use Agreement Areas

Forestry and Rights Implementation

KMKNO helped to establish Special Use Agreement Areas where lands within National Parks are to be used by the Mi’kmaq, including the development of special management harvesting agreements. These agreements include the Moose Management Agreement for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and a Birch Bark Harvesting Agreement in the Kejimkujik National park.

Consultation

In 2004 and 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) handed down three landmark decisions that found the Crown (provincial and federal) has a duty to consult with Aboriginal peoples regarding decisions or taking actions that might adversely affect their established or potential Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights (Haida and Taku, 2004, Mikisew Cree,2005).

About Consultation

We have never surrendered, ceded or sold the Aboriginal Title to any lands and resources in Nova Scotia. The lands, waters and resources are tied to who we are.

What we are Protecting

The Mi’kmaq have always had a strong connection to the lands and waters. KMK works under the guidance of the Assembly to promote and protect Mi’kmaq Treaty Rights.

What we are working on

We currently have over 600 active consultations which include a broad scope of areas in various stages of development.

Consultation News

Since 2004, KMK has been actively engaged in meaningful and productive consultations on a number of projects in diverse fields, on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.

Assembly Questions Emergency Order for Avon Causeway

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Culture, Uncategorized by Crystal Dorey on February 13, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2024 On June 1, 2023, the Nova Scotia Provincial Emergency Management Office issued an emergency order to close the gates at the Avon causeway in Windsor, to re-establish the man-made lake, Pisiquid, for possible wildfire suppression and concern over dry hydrants. This emergency order has

Assembly Calls for Avon River Ministerial Order to be Reinstated

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation by Crystal Dorey on June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023 On June 1, the Nova Scotia Provincial Emergency Management Office announced they would be closing the gates at the Avon causeway in Windsor, to re-establish a reservoir (Lake Pisiquid) for possible wildfire suppression. This quickly shifted into concern over dry hydrants located above the Avon causeway. While

Canada’s attempts to change the Indian Act without adequate consultation must stop!

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on October 31, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2022 On October 21, 2022, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) was made aware that the Government of Canada is intending to make changes to the Indian Act. This information was brought to their attention by a third-party, not by the Department of

Rights Implementation

Finding ways to implement Mi’kmaw Treaty Rights in present day is conducted through a series of meetings with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. Mi’kmaw Rights and Title are always protected during these discussions and new modern-day Treaties will never be considered.

How the Process Works

The staff at KMK conducts research and meets with the Mi’kmaw communities and organizations to research a variety of options and approaches to current Aboriginal and Treaty issues, such as land claims and self-governance.

We then use this research to present facts and information to the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, who provide direction to KMK.

Before moving forward, the Chiefs ensure they have the support of their Councils and communities.

Learn More

MKK – Draft Law

Posted in Culture, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on August 14, 2024

Newsletter – Fall 2022

Posted in Culture, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on November 22, 2022

Our Fall 2022 KMK Newsletter. Click the link below to read the full issue: KMK Newsletter – Fall 2022 KMK Newsletter_Fall 2022

Canada’s attempts to change the Indian Act without adequate consultation must stop!

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on October 31, 2022

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs is the highest level of decision making in the Made-In-Nova Scotia Process. All decisions and directions are obtained at this level.

ANSMC Members

The ANSMC is an unincorporated association consisting of 11 Mi'kmaw Chiefs from the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw communities. It meets on a monthly basis to deliberate on issues common to all, and is the aggregate governance institution for the Mi'kmaq in the province. Its work includes providing direction to KMK in the Made-in-Nova Scotia process concerning the implementation of Mi'kmaw Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Who We Are Meeting Highlights

ANSMC Media Releases

Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq Elects New Co-Chair

Posted in ANSMC by Crystal Dorey on November 28, 2024

Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq, or the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly), congratulate and welcome Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni, as their new Co-Chair. Today, the Assembly called an election for the position of Co-Chair that had been vacant since former Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley stepped down from the role earlier this

No Moose Harvest in 2024 Due to Population Concerns

Posted in ANSMC, Culture by Crystal Dorey on July 19, 2024

COMMUNITY NOTICE The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs have come together, with our Moose Management Team, the Grand Chief and Mi’kmaq Grand Council members, Mi’kmaw organizations, many community members and harvesters, and the Province of Nova Scotia to discuss the moose population. A decision has been made to halt

DFO Announces External Review of March 2024 Incident

Posted in ANSMC, Fisheries by Crystal Dorey on July 8, 2024

July 8, 2024 Today, Minster Lebouthillier announced that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would be undertaking a comprehensive external review of the events of March 26, 2024, where Mi’kmaw harvesters’ gear and clothing were seized and DFO’s Conservation and Protection Officers (C&P) left them without footwear or