What is L’nuey? (Ul-noo-ay)

Established in 2019, L’nuey is an initiative that focuses on the advancement, implementation, and protection of the constitutionally entrenched rights of the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq (Mi’kmaq of PEI). 

This is particularly important as we begin the process of determining how our people can benefit from our rights as we begin negotiations through the Mi’kmaq-Prince Edward Island-Canada Framework Agreement. The Framework Agreement affirms the historic Mi’kmaq treaties and commits the Federal and Provincial governments to respectful and cooperative negotiations with the Mi’kmaq to deal with our outstanding Aboriginal and treaty rights claims.

The work of L’nuey is guided by three responsibilities: Negotiations, consultation, and governance development. In turn, each responsibility is supported by the capacity to professionally communicate its activities to the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq and public. 

L’nuey means ‘Belonging to or pertaining to the Mi’kmaq People as a whole’, and its tagline doubles as its mission: ‘Moving towards a better tomorrow.’ It’s about people coming together, taking ownership, collaborating and ultimately forming a strong and unified front committed to the unique needs of the PEI Mi’kmaq.

We encourage you to learn more about L’nuey – the PEI Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative.  This site is regularly updated with information and educational materials on negotiations, consultation and governance development.


The L’nuey logo is founded in the traditions, history and spirituality of the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq. The eight-point star is representative ofthe light ofthe universe that guides and protects the people, the land and the Nation. This powerful symbol is then overlaid with visual elements taken from the rich traditions of basket weaving – an art form that takes many hands and many years of experience and education, similar to that of the efforts behind L’nuey. These two elements are then paired with the rich colours of naturally occurring dyes and pigments found on Prince Edward Island as well as colours representative of Epekwitk as a whole.


FAQs

  • What is L’nuey?

    L’nuey is an initiative focused on protecting and implementing the constitutionally-entrenched rights of the PEI Mi’kmaq. L’nuey means “belonging to the people” and it is the guiding principle behind the negotiations, consultation and governance development work that will happen through the organization.

  • What is L’nuey’s mission?

    L’nuey’s mission is to address both past and present imbalances between Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq people in Prince Edward Island.

  • What is the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils?

    The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils is the PEI Mi’kmaq governing body, consisting of the Chiefs and all Councillors from both Lennox Island First Nation and Abegweit First Nation. The Assembly is responsible for both L’nuey and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI.

  • What is L’nuey responsible for?

    The work of L’nuey is related to the three main pillars of responsibilities of the organization – Negotiations, Consultation and Governance Development.

  • Who will represent the Mi’kmaq in the negotiations under L’nuey?

    The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils is responsible for the negotiations that happen through L’nuey. L’nuey will serve and support the leadership in the negotiation process. Any major decisions will need to be voted on by the PEI Mi’kmaq.

  • What is the relationship between L’nuey and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI?

    Through the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, these organizations are governed by the full First Nations leadership of the province.

  • What do these negotiations hope to achieve in the short-term? In the long-term?

    In the short-term, negotiations may take place to achieve interim agreements on specific issues, from land and water to law-making authority. There may also be negotiations to resolve specific outstanding matters resulting from breaches of obligations by the federal government, such as the Hog Island Specific Claim. In the longer-term, there may be negotiations on larger more comprehensive agreements, with self-government objectives.

  • How will decisions be made with regard to negotiations under L’nuey?

    Nothing will be approved without the direction and support of the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, including how the Mi’kmaq will approve decisions. Longer-term objectives for more comprehensive agreements would require Mi’kmaq community ratification.

  • Is L’nuey part of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI?

    No. L’nuey has its own distinct organizational structure and dedicated resources, which are required to support the Assembly in the Rights-based Negotiations and Nationhood rebuilding efforts.

  • What role does the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI now serve?

    The Confederacy now has a clear mandate with regard to shared programs and services, as well as serving as Tribal Council and Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO).


(October 2019) Listen to our Executive Director, Jenene Wooldridge, chat with CBC about L’nuey after the organization launched in the fall of 2019


L’nuey Goals

L’nuey’s objective is to address both past and present imbalances in the relationship between Mi’kmaq and non-Indigenous people in Prince Edward Island.  L’nuey is the evolution of many years of collaboration and hard work by the Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations on shared interests and it will continue to build this foundation for an improved quality of Mi’kmaq life here on PEI, and ultimately self-government for the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq.

L’nuey will conduct the necessary research, facilitate community engagement and consensus, and elevate community and public education and awareness to support the protection and implementation of constitutionally-protected Mi’kmaq Rights in Prince Edward Island.

‘How We Say Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/howwesayhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on November 6, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on March 4, 2024 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on March 12, 2024.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Definition of Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/ourhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on July 17, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on September 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on October 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Shaping the Epekwitk of Tomorrow’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all Mi’kmaq who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/progress, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on January 23, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on April 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on May 8, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Connected by Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/connected, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on December 12, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on January 31, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on February 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

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