April 11, 2019
Videos circulating on Social Media claiming that Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO) sent a Band Council Resolution (BCR) requesting all 13 Bands to sign in support of Alton Gas releasing brine in the Shubenacadie River is FALSE.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly) – which is made up of all 13 Chiefs in Nova Scotia – has NEVER supported the Alton Gas project as we too, have environmental concerns about this project. KMKNO works for the Assembly and takes direction from the Assembly.
Since leaving the KMKNO Consultation Process, the communities of Sipekne’katik and Millbrook have taken the lead on consultation on Alton Gas. The Assembly respected and supported the decision of these communities, and directed KMKNO to keep consultation going so that they could also see that environmental concerns are being addressed, on behalf of all the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities.
Recently, the Chiefs of Sipekne’katik and Millbrook asked for all three parties (their communities plus the Assembly) to come back together so that our voices are united and stronger on Alton Gas. Respecting their individual Consultation Processes, the Assembly directed KMKNO propose a draft BCR for Sipekne’katik and Millbrook that states that while they remain outside the Terms of Reference for a Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia Canada Consultation Process, they “will work with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (and its support organization, the Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office), to develop written submissions to Canada and Nova Scotia, as required, respecting the Alton Gas project in order to protect inherent Mi’kmaq Aboriginal and treaty rights, including Aboriginal title” and that both of these communities would delegate an individual to oversee their participation in this work and the authority to sign any submissions sent to Canada or Nova Scotia on their behalf.
The Assembly does not support the Alton Gas project.
The draft BCR that was provided to both Sipekne’katik and Millbrook can be found on the KMKNO website at http://mikmaqrights.com/consultation/alton-gas-storage-project/