People across Mi'kmaki question leadership as only 5 of 28 Chiefs
come out to speak with the grassroots people supporting the call to
withdraw from negotiations concerning inherent treaty rights.
MILLBROOK- Jean Sock of Elsipoqtuk, New Brunswick, and Shelley Young
of Eskasoni, Nova Scotia have commenced a fast, hunger strike to
demand Mi'kmaq leadership to pull out of framework agreements, they
know, will ultimately extinguish existing treaty relationships.
“Why negotiate provincially? We are all Mi'kmaki.” said Bryson
Syliboy. Many of the community grassroots people who have requested
that their Chiefs meet with the fasters, are fearful that the outcome
will become worse as the fasters are only drinking water.
The KMKNO documented negotiations, between the federal government, the
provincial government, and the Mikmaw Chiefs of Nova Scotia are in the
last stages of creating the final accord, also known as a treaty. This
process, the grassroots Mi'kmaq say, will open an opportunity for the
federal government to deem inherent treaties as no longer valid.
“I feel the Chiefs have been mislead by KMKNO, as Mi'kmaq people, we
need to remember that these lawyers pledged allegiance to the queen,
and although they work under the auspices of KMKNO, they are bound by
their honour to the crown and federal government.” says Corrina Smiley
“Furthermore, if they were working for the Mi'kmaq people, we would
have had prior notice of the newly passed Omnibus Bill.”
Jean and Shelley appear gaunt but hopeful that their communities will
take their message to heart, and question their leaderships force in
authority in dividing their Nation provincially.
Community members felt compelled to join them in their ceremonial
fast and have commenced a solidarity relay fast. “I'm not a young
woman anymore, but I know our Chiefs should not have put us in this
position, and I'm willing to go the distance to keep the treaties
safe,” said Mi'kmaq elder, Lorraine Gould of Millbrook First Nation.
For More Information, contact us at idlenomorehalifax@gmail.com
902-997-1330 Marina Young
Grassroots Mi'kmaq #NationFirst
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