The Archbishop from Halifax and Bishop from Antigonish spoke with the Assembly about a fund being set up by the Catholic Church to support Indigenous reconciliation projects for residential school survivors, their families, and communities across the country. Dollars will be allocated to Nova Scotia to support designated projects/programs over 3-5 years. The Assembly was asked to provide names of community members to sit on the committee which will determine how these finds should be allocated.
The Assembly heard a presentation from Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) representatives. CSIS is seeking to create a more diverse work force and provided materials to the Chiefs to share in their communities with individuals who may be considering a career with federal government. CSIS reps will begin career fair planning.
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) presented their Culture and Heritage Plan. The Assembly noted that more Mi’kmaq collaboration is needed and as the Lead of Culture, Heritage and Archaeology for the Assembly, Chief Wilbert Marshall requested to be involved in ongoing work to this plan and next steps as the project moves forward.
Representatives from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia gave a presentation on the design of new the art gallery planned for the Halifax waterfront. Much of the design was inspired through their engagement with Mi’kmaw communities.
KMK spoke about the two Calls for Nominations done for the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Jean Goodwill. The Chiefs selected a Sponsor for this vessel. The Coast Guard is also looking for a Mi’kmaw sponsor for the recently renamed CCGS Kopit Hopson 1752. The Assembly requested that this request be brought back to the next Assembly meeting.
KMK presented the request received from Service Canada to develop land acknowledgement plaques for all Service Canada centres across Atlantic Canada. These plaques will be issued in Mi’kmaw, English and French. The Assembly approved the wording of the land acknowledgement plaques.
The Maw-Kleyu’kik Knijannaq (MKK) Initiative has worked with several Mi’kmaw organizations since 2020 to develop the mobile Netawey App to engage youth and provide legal and rights-based information to youth and families in an accessible format. The Assembly approved the launch the Netawey App for April 1, 2022.
AFN Regional Chief PJ Prosper provided an update on the upcoming policing forum in April and the AFN Annual General Assembly (AGA) that is taking place in Vancouver in July. Regional Chief Prosper also discussed a potential bid for the AFN AGA to take place in Halifax in July 2023. The AGA would correspond with the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) that are also scheduled for July 2023 in Halifax.
Chiefs set dates to meet in April to receive an update on the benefits projects, as well as an Energy portfolio.
Dates were set for the next Nationhood Conference for October 5 and 6, 2022.
