KMA National Aboriginal Day 2003

Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance Celebrates National Aboriginal Day, 2003

The Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance celebrated National Aboriginal Day June 21 2003 in a unique and symbolic way. It began the process by conducting a motorcade through the town of Stephenville and ended with the erection of a sign designating the territory as Mi'kmaq land.

The motorcade consisted of approximately 100 vehicles and its procession extended the entire length of Main Street stopping traffic in all directions. The motorcade proceeded to the former Ernest Harmon Air Force Base grounds. Several hundred people gathered to hear remarks from a number of speakers including all members of the executive council with the exception of Chief Bert Alexander who was in Halifax recovering from eye surgery.

In spite of the Chief's absence a prerecorded message was played for those present. In his message the Chief indicated the need for solidarity with other aboriginal peoples across Canada. He made reference to his recent visit to Manitoba where he met with several prominent Aboriginal leaders including Grand Chief Margaret Swan, Grand Chief Francis Flett, and Grand Chief Dennis White Bird. These Grand Chiefs and other Aboriginal leaders in Manitoba are unanimous in their support of the objectives of the Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance in its endeavor to gain justice and equality with other Aboriginal people across Canada.

The speakers spoke of a number of issues with the main theme being the recovery of land that had been taken from our people when the American Air Base was constructed in the early 1940's. It was significant that the back drop for the presentations was the Abitibi Paper Mill which occupies land which was once one of the major Mi'kmaq settlements in Newfoundland for hundreds of years.

Stephenville is the present name of the town. Pryor to that its name was Indian Head and before that it was named L'anse aux Sauvauges which translated to English means Savage Cove.

Following the speeches a sign was erected designating the entire territory as Mi'kmaq land. A map of the island portion of the province showed an extensive amount of land extending from the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula though to the South Coast as well as from the Port au Port Peninsula to the Central part of the island as Mi'kmaq territory. The sign symbolizes the reclaiming of land from which the Mi'kmaq people were driven from.

While these National Aboriginal Day celebrations were the first to be held it is intended that there will be many more visible demonstrations of this type conducted in the future. The purpose is to send a message to Government that the Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance is serious in its quest for justice and that it intends to pursue its objective with vigor, diligence and resolve.

Back to the Wigwam

Hosted by

Your Community, Online!