KMKNO and Ulnooweg provided updates on several of the Assembly’s benefits projects. Ulnooweg also provided an overview of the NS Mi’kmaw Nation Development Corporation. The Assembly requested a dedicated meeting to discuss this new company.
Discussions were held about the Assembly’s desire to develop a Benefits Agreement with Atlantic Gold. Benefits discussions will be going forward through a series of discussions as several communities are involved. The Assembly approved the Atlantic Gold Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU does not include Millbrook and Sipekne’katik although separate conversations are happening between these two communities and Atlantic Gold.
The Canadian Coast Guard will be naming an icebreaker vessel after Jane Goodwill, a member of the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan. As the vessel will be docked in Halifax, the Mi’kmaw of Nova Scotia have been asked to participate in the naming ceremony taking place in the Fall 2020 and to find a Mi’kmaq Godparent for the vessel. A small committee has been brought together to oversee this process and will rely on KMKNO to help share this information with communities.
A discussion was held on the draft Guiding Principles on Netukilimk Moderate Livelihood Fishery. The Assembly and KMKNO discussed the importance of bringing these Principles to the communities. Once community engagements have been completed, the Assembly will review the principles again.
KMKNO’s Senior Researcher provided a presentation on Aboriginal Title, Mi’kmaw Rights, benefits, guiding principles, archaeological records and supporting evidence.
KMKNO’s Articled Clerk presented on Wet’suwet’en First Nation lands and the recent events and conflict across the country.
Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq provided a presentation on Consolidated Seamanship Training Facility. The conceptualization of the proposed initial floorplan of the facility (both interior and exterior) was presented. This floorplan includes several depictions of Mi’kmaw culture and heritage throughout the building. An upcoming tour for the Assembly will be determined.
KMKNO updated the Assembly on East Coast Energy, a drilling company proposing a natural gas drilling project in New Glasgow. The Chiefs agreed that a letter from Chief Prosper will be sent to the NS Government expressing opposition to this proposed project until concerns have been adequately addressed. The Assembly asked that this also come back the Assembly table for further discussion.
