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.

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T’an Teliaq Aq ki’s Teliaq

News and Updates

Newsletter – April 2026

Posted in Culture by Hailey Isadore on April 1, 2026

MESSAGE FROM KMK Happy Spring! We’re working to continue our quarterly newsletters again this year, with this being our first issue of 2026. Our newsletters provide updates on our team’s work over the past few months. If you see something you’d like to learn more about, as always, feel free

Provincial Reductions Are Harmful and Appear Targeted

Posted in ANSMC, Culture by Crystal Dorey on February 27, 2026

February 27, 2026 Mi’kma’ki – This week, Premier Houston and his government announced substantial cutbacks across Provincial spending. In that, 21 different Mi’kmaw-specific programs were targeted and cut. “The Nova Scotia government’s decisions will have drastic impacts on this province,” said Chief Leroy Denny, Co-Chair of the Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq. “Programs

Nathan Sack Named New Executive Director of Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn

Posted in Culture by Crystal Dorey on February 17, 2026

The Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Sack as Executive Director of Kwilmu’kw Maw‑klusuaqn (KMK). Mr. Sack has more than twelve years of senior experience in Indigenous governance, financial stewardship, and nation‑building and now joins KMK following his tenure with the First Nations Financial Management Board.

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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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 Demands Accountability on Highway 101 Project

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Culture by Hailey Isadore on November 5, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2025 Mi’kma’ki – Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq (Assembly) is calling for meaningful consultation and immediate action on the Highway 101 Twinning Project. Since the Province declared a state of emergency on June 1, 2023, and closed the Avon Causeway gates to create an artificial reservoir, the Assembly

Chiefs Angered at Premier Houston’s Speed of Business & Lack of Respect

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on October 3, 2025

Mi’kma’ki – As the Nova Scotia government gathered until late in the evening on October 2, 2025, to debate their omnibus bills, so did Mi’kmaw leadership. “We were gathered for the past two days at a Treaty Education Conference, talking about our Rights and our Rightful place on these lands

ANSMC Condemns Canada’s Short Consultation Period on Bill C-5

Posted in Consultation, Culture by Tyler Dunne on July 3, 2025

The Maw-lukitijik Saqmaq wrote a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 17, 2025, about their concerns regarding Bill C-5 and the lack of meaningful consultation with the Mi’kmaq. In the letter, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (ANSMC) criticized the government’s inadequate timeframe for feedback and highlighted

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.

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The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada Sign Co-management Arrangement

Posted in ANSMC, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on December 10, 2025

December 10, 2025 The Toqi’maliaptmu’k Arrangement walks the path of shared management at Parks Canada administered places in Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia – Chief Sidney Peters, Glooscap First Nation and Chief Leroy Denny, Eskasoni First Nation, co-chairs of Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq – The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, the

Chiefs Angered at Premier Houston’s Speed of Business & Lack of Respect

Posted in ANSMC, Consultation, Rights Implementation by Crystal Dorey on October 3, 2025

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

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 13 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

Assembly Calls for Meaningful Collaboration on Avon River Causeway

Posted in ANSMC by Crystal Dorey on April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026 Mi’kma’ki – Earlier this month, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) authorized the construction of a new gated structure on the Avon River. While technical discussions took place during the application process, meaningful consultation with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia must continue on this project.

Chiefs Call for a Moratorium on Community Raids and Open Dialogue with Provincial Government

Posted in ANSMC by Crystal Dorey on April 9, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mi’kma’ki – Last week, traffic slow downs happened across Mi’kma’ki where Mi’kmaw community members expressed concerns with the provincial government’s direction to the RCMP to conduct raids on cannabis stores in our communities. Subsequently, on April 4, 2026, Premier Houston issued a message on social media

Chiefs Respond to Cannabis Raids in Communities

Posted in ANSMC by Crystal Dorey on March 4, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2026 Mi’kma’ki – Yesterday, the RCMP launched a number of inspections of dispensaries throughout the Mi’kmaw communities, which resulted in seizures and fines issued. The actions of the RCMP, upon directive of the Provincial government, only contribute to the ongoing issue of federal and