HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (July 2, 1997) - Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, John Savage, Premier of Nova Scotia, and the 13 Chiefs from the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia today signed the Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This political accord reconfirms the commitment of the federal and provincial governments and Nova Scotia First Nations representatives to addressing issues of mutual concern.
"This forum offers the opportunity for us as partners to strengthen our relationship," Minister Stewart said. "Partnership is about people, and, by working together in a spirit of respect and dignity, we can better understand each other and achieve consensus. I look forward to discussing issues of mutual concern, including self-government, economic development and social services, as well as the valuable guidance on these issues and others in the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP)."
"I am pleased that the federal government and the Mi’kmaq Nation along with the Province of Nova Scotia will be publicly and proudly proclaiming our collective commitment to the building of a new relationship today with the signing of a Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Agreement. The government of Nova Scotia is committed to working in partnership with the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Federal Government in advancing the self-government process," said Premier John Savage.
"The Mi’kmaq Chiefs have waited patiently for two years for this process to be re-established. There is no doubt that the signing of the Tripartite Forum agreement is a celebrative occasion in Mi’kma’ki. The sooner that this event is completed the sooner we can all get down to prioritizing an agenda for discussions. We all realize that the goal of this process is Mi’kmaw self-government and issues which thread through all discussions are the issues of Mi’kmaw jurisdiction and self-determination," said Joe B. Marshall, President of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. "These two issues will temper all discussions and negotiations as the forum continues its restructuring process. As Mi’kmaw issues are prioritized, sub-committees will need to be selected so that they can begin to develop positions for the forum to negotiate."
"It is our hope that this forum will create a formal, constructive negotiating process for the resolution of the many outstanding jurisdictional issues between us, avoiding the stalemates and conflicts of the past," said Donald M. Julien, Executive Director of the Confederacy of Mainland Micmacs. "The agenda for the forum has yet to be finalized, but it is the opinion of the Mi’kmaq that topics such as self-government and treaties, economic development, natural resources, education, social programs, health and justice should all be specific areas of concern. As well, the recently released report by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples will be placed within the context of the community needs of the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. We believe that through this forum all three parties can create a new climate for the understanding of First Nation issues and a mutual respect for the inherent right of First Nations across Canada to sit with the federal and provincial Crowns on a nation to nation basis."
The forum will build on the success of a previous agreement, which developed projects in justice diversion, a court workers program, court translation services, justice liaison, penitentiary services support, Band bylaw development and the establishment of a Nova Scotia Justice Institute.
For further information:
Nancy Cowie
DIAND Atlantic Region
Tel: (902) 661-6228
David Harrigan
Communications Director, Province of Nova Scotia
Tel: (902) 424-3750
Rosalee Francis
Union of New Brunswick Indians
Tel: (902) 758-2346
Eric Zscheile
Confederacy of Mainland Micmacs
Tel: (902) 895-6385