FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2021
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs is extremely concerned for the well-being and safety of Mi’kmaw women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ and we share cultural beliefs that our women, children and gender-diverse community members are sacred and must be protected from harm.
The Assembly also understands that there is a potential that the Goldboro LNG project could go forward, regardless of the Mi’kmaw position on, or participation in, this project. Should this project go forward, that will include the development of a work camp for the men and women employed at the Lukow Lodge and for the Goldboro LNG project.
One way to ensure our people are kept safe is to voice those concerns with all parties, and do so, means we must be at the table. Since 2019, in our participation in the planning stages, we have been working to ensure that all necessary protections and safety measures are being put into place to address the safety concerns that we all share.
“We want people to know that we do share your concerns, and we are hearing the voices of our women loud and clear. We want to help amplify the voices of our community members at the table,” said Chief Andrea Paul, Pictou Landing First Nation. “We have the opportunity to make a difference.”
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs are organizing a virtual forum, where women and gender diverse community members can come together to share their thoughts, perspectives, experiences, and worries about this project. This dialogue will be crucial to bringing awareness of the concerns for the safety and well-being of our people
“We want to ensure that the voices of Mi’kmaw are not only heard, but that their concerns are brought forward,” said Chief Deborah Robinson, Acadia First Nation. “We are committed to upholding the Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Final Report and expect the calls to justice related to resource projects are met.”
Further details on the virtual forum will be shared in the coming weeks across the Assembly’s media platforms.