February 14, 2008

Chief Phil Fontaine

Assembly of first Nations

Trebla Building – Suite 180

Ottawa, ON K1R 5B4

Re: Agreement-in-Principle (Federal Government & Federation of NL Indians

Kwe’ Chief Fontaine:

Mr. Brendan Sheppard, President of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians on CBC Television’s ‘Here and Now’ program on February 13, stated that the Assembly of First Nations essentially had no business interfering with the proposed agreement between the Federal Government and the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq. It has left the impression that possibly all Mi’kmaq in the Province share his opinion. Consequently I am obliged to publicly clarify several important points related to his comments. We believe that Mr. Sheppard’s comments were inappropriate and certainly do not reflect the views of the undersigned or members of the Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance - KMA.             

            As chief of the KMA, I represent the best interests of the band and its approximately 7800 members and I categorically state that the Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance is in no way affiliated with Mr. Sheppard or with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, nor do we wish to be now or ever. We totally disagree with the proposed Agreement-in-Principle which the Federal Government, Mr. Sheppard and other FNI leaders are trying to impose on FNI members and our KMA members as well. Surely after 35 years of FNI rule they could have delivered more than a landless band to their members. The Mi’kmaq people will get what FNI asked for not what they deserve.

We believe this agreement to be a sell-out of the Mi’kmaq people. In fact, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Federal and Provincial Crowns (co-defendants) in July 2003. The case is ongoing and resumes in April. In that action, we are seeking equality with Conne River and other First Nations’ communities across Canada and justice from the Federal Government for abandoning its fiduciary duty to the Mi’kmaq people when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949. We are not prepared to ever sign away our rights to hunting and fishing or rights to our traditional land something which the FNI deal will accomplish if it is accepted.

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            In January 2004, we were invited by the Federal Government to join the FNI at the table and negotiate a landless band agreement. We declined the Government’s offer at that time because it fell far short of the objectives filed in our statement of claim in court. It was a terrible deal for our people then and it’s still a terrible deal now and for many reasons. Furthermore, on November 24, 2006 we issued a press release (copy attached), re-establishing traditional Mi’kmaq territorial rights in Newfoundland, rights which we intend to vigorously defend.

            We have been fighting to end the discrimination and cultural genocide that the Federal Government imposed on our people in 1949 and which continues to this day. We do not receive any Government financial assistance, not even for band operation, we rely totally on the financial support of our members and we have no staff support. We are all volunteers and have been since we established in June 2002. In addition, we have been fighting alone and we feel alone, left out and abandoned. We believe that the support of the Assembly of First Nations by way or raising public awareness of the plight of our people would assist us greatly in our struggle with Government and also provide a tremendous moral boost to our people. We are requesting your assistance in this regard.

            In closing, I look forward to meeting with you at the earliest opportunity and I invite you to come to our home and meet with our people as we struggle to rebuild our once proud and strong Mi’kmaq Nation here in Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Respectfully submitted,

(original signed)

Bertram Alexander

Chief

Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance