A Message From Chief Alexander Kwe' My Brothers and Sisters: I feel a need to speak with you, those of you who are living in other areas, some of you who live great distances away. I want to speak to you because you are important. I want to speak to you from my heart to your heart because as it is written on our band's letterhead, "Newte'jk wjiwsuk, newte'jijik wskwijijinu'k", (we are one family, one people) and you need to know that when we speak, we speak for you also. You may not be able to attend and share in monthly band meetings as we do, but you are still one with us. Many people are amazed at how quickly we've grown to a band of almost 2000 members in just five months. I believe it's because the time for our people has come. Many generations ago our people were silenced. Then, in 1949 when Newfoundland joined Canada the Federal Government and the Government of Newfoundland drove what they hoped would be the final nail in the coffin of the Mi'kmaq people of Newfoundland. They did this by abandoning their responsibility to our people when they failed to declare the Indian Act in this province and mutually agreed to assimilate our people into the mainstream Newfoundland society. They didn't drive the nail deep enough though, because we've opened the cover, we're back, we are many and we will be silent no more. The story of our people is one that needs to be told. It is a story of struggle and also of pain, the pain of being put-down, left out and being denied rights accorded other aboriginal people across Canada. It is about the pain of watching the destruction of our traditional hunting and fishing territories through clear-cut logging and mining operations and the destruction of the natural habitat for moose, caribou, rabbit, fox and other animals. More than anything though, it is about the pain of feeling the injustice and blatant discrimination being inflicted on our people by the Federal Government. Everyone should understand that we are no different than any first nation's peoples in Canada. There is however one exception. We have been denied benefits that should have been forthcoming to us since 1949. More importantly, we are no less than other aboriginal peoples. Our people were once proud and respected. They were also kind and gentle yet at the same time they were fierce warriors when they had to be. We too need to be proud of who we are. We, as a people need to rekindle the spirit of our ancestors, that same spirit which is the driving force behind the Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance. We only seek justice and we will never give up until we achieve it. The Federal Government must put an end to the injustices they imposed on our people in 1949, injustices that continue today and which should be brought to light as a national disgrace. Over the coming weeks and months I hope to continue to speak to you through our web site to keep you informed as best we can through this means. In the meantime, my wish for you is that the strong wind blows gently at your back. Wantaqo'ti Bertram Alexander Sagamaw Our Sagamaw may be contacted at the following address: 1 Oceanview Drive Kippens NL,A2N-3C4 (709) 643-9679 Fax (709) 643-6083 Back to the Wigwam ©2003 - 2008 KMA - Ktaqamkuk (Taga-ma-goog)Mi'kmaq Alliance <   Hosted by Your Community, Online!