Aboriginal and Intergovernmental Relations

This area of our work includes working collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and organizations and other levels of government to coordinate Aboriginal and tri-partite initiatives; develop strategies and build and maintain a sustainable foundation for Aboriginal-Government relations.

The following are some key areas of activity:

Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum

Since 1997, the Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum has been the discussion vehicle of choice for government to work with its First Nations partners and collaborate on social and economic issues that affect First Nation communities. In an effort to fuel more positive, tangible results, the Forum recently adopted a project management approach to its committee work. Already, this approaching is propelling the work plans of each committee forward and demonstrating results. Working committees include: Culture and Heritage; Economic Development; Social; Education; Sport and Recreation; Justice and; Health. The work of each working committee is enabled by the support of both a Steering Committee as well as a Officials and Executive Committees, who cap off the Forum’s governance structure.

To learn more about the work of the forum, please visit the Tripartite Forum website.

Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network (MLSN)

Following the release of the Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution, it became apparent that more effective and culturally competent justice support programs were needed. Some of the Royal Commission’s recommendations included: Mi'kmaq translation services in the courtroom; the creation of sentencing circle protocols; appropriate reintegration of offenders back into communities and; initiatives focusing on youth criminal justice.

MLSN, created in 2002, is an administrative structure designed to support current and future justice programs and services directed toward Nova Scotia’s Aboriginal community. The administration of MLSN is operated under the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq with staff in Millbrook, Halifax and Eskasoni. Two programs currently offered by the MLSN include the Mi'kmaw Court Worker Program and the Mi'kmaw Customary Law Program (MCLP).

The Mi'kmaw Court Worker Program is designed to provide a clear understanding of the court process to Mi'kmaw/Aboriginal clients within the system while the Mi'kmaw Customary Law Program (MCLP) is a culturally appropriate restorative justice program. The program facilitates sentencing circles, community placements and referrals to other available programs and services.

For more information, please visit the following website for MLSN website.

Mi'kmawey Debert

Debert is home to one of North America’s richest and most significant archaeological sites. Dating back more than 11,000 years, the evidence of Nova Scotia’s earliest known inhabitants makes a very strong connection to Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq community.

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, on behalf of all Nova Scotian Mi’kmaw communities, has been spearheading the Mi’kmawey Debert initiative, intended to: Protect and preserve the archaeological richness of the Debert area; to connect the Mi’kmaq of today to their archaeological ancestry and; to lead Nova Scotia in the development of what will be known as the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. To learn more about this initiative, visit the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq website.

Debert Air Industrial Park Development
Preserves Mi'kmaq Heritage

see more Photos of the event

Premier Rodney MacDonald announced the next stage in developing the Debert Air Industrial Park, while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Mi'kmaq in the region.

Premier MacDonald made the announcement at the entrance to the Mi'kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail in the Debert Air Industrial Park. Read More

Federal/Provincial/Territorial/Aboriginal Discussions

On November 24-25, 2005 the Prime Minister, Premiers, Territorial Leaders and Leaders of the five National Aboriginal organizations attended a First Ministers' meeting on Aboriginal Issues in Kelowna, B.C. This gathering was the first meeting of its kind between First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders in more than a decade.

The Prime Minister invited Premiers, Territorial Leaders and Leaders of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Métis National Council (MNC), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) to participate in the meeting.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to further the work that has been underway over a year and a half, to bridge the gap that exists between Aboriginal people and other Canadians on quality of life indicators. Leaders committed to a joint plan to improve health, housing, education, economic development and improving government relations with First Nations and Aboriginal people over the next decade.

Chief Terrance Paul of Membertou First Nation and the Honourable Michael Baker, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs attended the meeting with Premier Hamm as part of the Nova Scotia delegation.

Since 2005, provinces and territories have continued to work with the National Aboriginal Organizations to further the objectives of the FMM through National Summits on Health, Economic Development and Aboriginal Women .

Premiers continue work with the five National Aboriginal Organizations and most recently (August 2007) met with the five leaders to discuss further opportunities to work collaboratively to advance the interests of Aboriginal people in Canada.