Mi'kmaq Reject Federal Invitation The majority of Newfoundland Mi'kmaq has formally rejected an invitation from the Federal Government to participate in ongoing talks between the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians - FNI. The Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance - KMA and the Sip'kop Mikmaw Indian Band of St. Alban's, NL have a combined membership of approximately 7500 members while the FNI, established in 1972, have a reported 3868 members. In addition, the Sip'kop band includes approximately 400 members who are registered Indians under the Federal Indian Act. The FNI is seeking a special kind of recognition with the federal government as a landless band while the KMA and the Sip'kop Band have initiated a class action lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments in July 2003 on behalf of the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq. In its court case, they are seeking justice and equality with other first nation's bands in Newfoundland and the rest of Canada. A meeting was held in January in Corner Brook between the Hon. Marc Lalonde, a special representative for the federal government and lawyers representing the KMA and Sip'kop bands. At that meeting, Mr. Lalonde invited them to join the FNI in ongoing talks regarding a landless band concept. When he stated that his only mandate from the federal government was to negotiate a landless band concept for one band for all the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq in the province outside of Conne River, Mr. Lalonde was advised that the class action lawsuit on behalf of the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq would continue. It is disappointing that all Mi'kmaq outside of Conne River are not united as one people and as one nation. While each organization may feel it is doing the best it can do for its respective memberships such unification is not likely to happen in the short term. Perhaps someday, when the legal and negotiating process is concluded, the aboriginal people will be one strong and united Mi'kmaq nation. The members of the KMA and Sip'kop bands, however, are together and united in purpose and in speaking as one voice to gain equality and justice and are totally resolved to vigorously fight for rights, which were denied them in 1949. The story of the Mi'kmaq in Newfoundland is one of long standing blatant discrimination at the hands of the federal government. There will be no rest for government until the Mi'kmaq people in Newfoundland are treated fairly. Considering the state of this province with its rampant unemployment, high levels of social assistance and out-migration, the plight of the Mi'kmaq actually affects everyone. Every person in the province should understand and fully support the aims and objectives of the KMA and Sip'kop bands. Every MHA, organization, business and citizen should be aware that if successful, the KMA and Sip'kop bands will generate an influx of tens of millions of federal dollars annually to the Bay St. George, west coast, northern peninsula and St. Alban's areas of the province. The spin-off benefits from this could be significant. This would help not only the aboriginal people, who have unique and pressing issues and needs, but also every community, business, organization and citizen. Such federal funding would relieve the province of having to spend many millions of dollars annually, which should be rightfully forthcoming from the federal government for the Mi'kmaq people and their respective communities. In addition, such federal funding would not be subject to claw-back from the province by the federal government. Would this change of cash flow not greatly help a financially strapped province? This is an issue, which will never go away until it is resolved. It is going to become a major issue. In future, the Mi'kmaq intend to become much more vocal and public in raising their profile and in presenting their story, a story of discrimination, neglect, and hardship. This is a story that is no less than a national and indeed international disgrace and one of which the federal government should be ashamed. There will be no rest for government until the Mi'kmaq people are fairly treated. Bertram Alexander Chief Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance April 8, 2004 Back to the Wigwam ©2003 - 2008 KMA - Ktaqamkuk (Taga-ma-goog)Mi'kmaq Alliance   Hosted by Your Community, Online!