Ni’n aq No’kmaq – Me and My Relations
Determining who can exercise Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Epekwitk is not about Indian status, it is about who is Mi’kmaq, our collective identity as a Nation, and our family roots and connections. We cannot exercise our rights if we don’t have our own process of defining who is Mi’kmaq.
Ni’n aq No’kmaq will be the process by which Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq (and not the Provincial and Federal governments) determine who the rightful heirs of the Peace and Friendship Treaties here in PEI are.
L’nuey, on behalf of the Mi’kmaq leadership wants to ensure that:
- Rights are being exercised by the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq.
- Resources are being protected and used properly – with rights come responsibilities.
- Future generations are able to enjoy these resources.
As Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, Ni’n aq No’kmaq is our process. Every step of the way, we are engaging with Mi’kmaq across PEI – both on and off-reserve, coming back to you at each stage to ask if we heard you correctly, and only then are we proceeding.
It is important that Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq thoroughly understand what Ni’n aq No’kmaq is and how it will affect us and future generations to come. This is why, you will be seeing Kiara LaBobe, L’nuey’s Engagement Officer out and about in the community and at various events this summer (2023) – ready to answer any questions or discuss concerns about Ni’n aq No’kmaq that you may have. As Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, Ni’n aq No’kmaq is our process, and it is essential that we hear from you before we proceed onto next steps.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Kiara LaBobe at klabobe@lnuey.ca.