Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance Info Letter

The Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance Information Letter -- Bert Alexander (Chief)

The Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance – KMA was officially launched by public announcement on June 24, 2002. The KMA was formed to help eliminate the unfair treatment imposed on the majority of Mi’kmaq people in the province over the past 30 years by existing organizations. The mission of the KMA is to create and maintain cultural, social, educational and economic development for the benefit of its members. With these objectives in mind, the KMA has included in its ranks, every individual regardless of place of residence, who meets the requirements of Mi’kmaq ancestry and KMA membership.

Much has been accomplished in the past 2 years and one needs only to compare the following list against that of the past 30 years:

In two years the KMA has grown to an organization of approximately 7000 members.
One of the largest lawsuits on behalf of aboriginal people against the federal government was filed in July 2003.
The KMA has gained the respect of the federal and provincial government as well as numerous first nation’s leaders in Canada.
The old established bands have changed the policies they had maintained for years by not accepting thousands of Mi’kmaq people into their membership ranks. This change resulted from the open membership policy established by the KMA.
The KMA has become a unifying force for the Mi’kmaq people and has made it possible for individuals to discover their previously unknown Mi’kmaq ancestry.
The KMA may be setting the standard and the pace for the federal recognition and registration of the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq. In fact there are recent indications that the landless band concept proposed by the Federation of Newfoundland Indians has now been placed on hold by the federal government until KMA issues have been dealt with.
There have been a number of other achievements, which are not listed above.

Still there are those who would suggest that the KMA has not done enough. They have gone to the extent of starting yet another band on the Port au Port Peninsula on the promise that they will do things better and faster than the KMA. That’s interesting because when they were members of the KMA they didn’t appear to be very supportive of KMA initiatives to help the quality of life for our people. Now they’re attempting to entice members away from the KMA, and they’re suggesting that whatever the KMA gets, their members will also receive. Nothing could be further from the truth. Any potential benefits by virtue of membership in the KMA will not be automatic for members of any other band.

It is also ironic that upon successful conclusion of the court case and/or negotiations with the federal government the KMA will break into smaller bands and will assist individual groups to establish their own independent bands to either retain affiliation with the KMA or deal directly with the federal government, similar to the Conne River Band. All these people had to do was support us until we reached a settlement with the federal government, but in any event we wish them well. However, now that they have taken this course of action, like everyone else, they will be accountable to their own members for their actions and decisions.

Other Important Issues include:

Membership Renewal Fee: This $10 fee was approved by the KMA membership at the February 4th annual meeting to allow the KMA to conduct its ongoing business and further its objective of gaining justice and equality from the federal government. This annual renewal fee is temporary and as soon as funding is obtained from the federal government, the renewal fee will be cancelled. Members who have received their band cards in 2003 are requested to forward the $10 renewal fee by June 30, 2004 and for those who receive their band cards in 2004, their fee will be requested in 2005.
Environmental Concerns: There are several important concerns that need to be addressed and the KMA is taking a leadership role in this regard. The KMA is inviting members of other bands and in particular the chiefs of these bands to step forward and speak out on issues regarding the protection of Mother Earth. This is one area where we can all be united regardless of band affiliation. After all, we are and have always been one family and one people. Until the KMA established, many people were not even aware of their aboriginal ancestry. Perhaps one day we can truly say that we are one strong and united Mi’kmaq Nation.
Federal Funding: The KMA will be significantly stepping up its activities to end the blatant and uncalled for discrimination of our people by the federal government by withholding educational, cultural, economic and core operational funding while at the same time funding other bands for the same purposes. This process is totally unacceptable and members must support this cause.

If you have any questions or comments you may e-mail our Saqamaq Alexander at the link below:
E-mail Chief Alexander

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