K'jipuktuk (Halifax) –  The eighth day of Shelley Young and Jean Sock's water-only hunger strike, has brought those at Porcupine Lodge in Millbrook First Nation cause for some celebration. Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation has made his intention known via Twitter that he will “resign from the KMK.”

At 4:45pm Paul tweeted “I don't want to see a young Women (sic) die. I shall resign from KMK,” in reference to the Kwilmu’k Maw-Klusuaqn Negotiating Office (KMKNO) – the team of lawyers that negotiates on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs in the 'Made in Nova Scotia Process.'

'Made in Nova Scotia' is the name given to the comprehensive land claim and self-government discussions currently taking place between the chiefs and the federal and provincial governments.

Young, who, along with Sock, has vowed to continue the hunger strike until a band council resolution is passed removing the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs from the negotiating table, received confirmation from Chief Paul earlier in the evening.

“We called him to confirm his tweet,” says Young. “He said 'yes' and that he was sorry that it came to this and that he would be talking to his council right away.”

Paul's apparent resignation from the Made In Nova Scotia Process makes him the second Indian Act chief to withdraw from the controversial negotiations, joining Rufus Copage of Shubenacadie First Nation who withdrew earlier in the week.

Paul is perceived as an influential figure amongst the chiefs; he is co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs, and has been chief of Membertou First Nation since 1984. Some grassroots activists have even suggested that as goes Paul so will go the rest of the chiefs.

Despite the positive news, Young and Sock remain committed to their water-only fast until a band council resolution is finalized and brought to them in writing.

“We have to stay firm,” says Young, “because there's no way we're going to let them extinguish our treaty, [but] I feel Chief Paul is doing what's best for the people, and that makes a good leader.”