On July 4th 2024, Mi’kmawey Kapmnt Ta’n Nikana’tu’tij Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaw-Saqmaq — the Mi’kmaw Nation Government of Prince Edward Island as represented by the Prince Edward Island Chiefs, Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation and Chief Junior Gould of Abegweit First Nation, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced that they have reached an agreement to establish a new national park reserve on the northwestern shores of Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). Pituamkek (Bee-DOO-um-gek), a chain of barrier islands in northwestern P.E.I., is one of eastern Canada’s most ecologically significant coastal dune ecosystems. It holds deep cultural and historical importance for the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq and the residents of P.E.I.
Ecological and Cultural Significance Beyond its natural beauty, Pituamkek plays a vital role in protecting coastal communities from extreme weather events, as demonstrated during Hurricane Fiona. This agreement showcases the shared commitment of the Government of Canada and the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow (Mi’kmaq Nation Government of Epekwitk) to safeguard this extraordinary landscape.
A Rich Heritage and Unique Ecosystem Pituamkek, meaning “At the Long Sand Dune,” is home to ancient Mi’kmaw traditions, significant cultural and archaeological sites, rare ecosystems, and unique geological formations. It boasts coastal dune systems, old-growth forests, and Prince Edward Island’s only igneous rock incursion.
Collaborative Protection Efforts The Establishment Agreement between the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow and the Government of Canada outlines the future park reserve’s key elements. These include a co-management governance model, guardian programs, community-based employment opportunities, and commitments to net-zero, climate-smart infrastructure.
This initiative builds on the Government of Canada’s dedication to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and fostering a renewed government-to-government relationship with the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmtemuow. Together, they are working to protect this iconic natural and cultural landscape for future generations.
Pituamkek (Hog Island Sandhills) – A Mi’kmaq Heritage Landscape
The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, with support from Parks Canada, created a short video that moves forward Reconciliation through a proposed new National Park Reserve to be located in Northwestern Prince Edward Island. This sacred stretch of Islands and sandhills was home to the Mi’kmaq peoples for more than 12,000 years. We must preserve and protect these precious lands and waters to ensure their survival for the Mi’kmaq and all for generations to come.
FAQs
What does the Feasibility Study include?
The Feasibility Study will include consultations with key stakeholders, communities and the public, as well as technical studies that analyse ecological, cultural and socio-economic information.
The study will determine whether or not creating a Hog Island – Sandhills National Park Reserve is feasible and, if so, defining the scope of the Park and outlining a path forward.
Have the PEI Mi’kmaq entered into an agreement?
The PEI First Nations have agreed to collaborate on the Feasibility Study.
Does this mean that Hog Island is becoming a National Park Reserve?
The study is a step toward creation of a National Park Reserve, a decision to proceed will be determined by the results of the Feasibility Study.
How can the PEI Mi’kmaq take part in the Feasibility Study? What is the plan for consulting with community members?
There will be extensive public consultation; including, the engagement of the PEI Mi’kmaq. The First Nations governments have proposed the study and support the idea; the community engagement will seek detailed First Nations community feedback, as well as broad public input.
What happens next?
A major component of the Study will be community consultation and engagement to ensure that any concerns are addressed and that there is Mi’kmaq community support to protect the lands through a National Park Reserve.
What do the public consultations involve? How can people participate?
The public consultation will engage and inform Islanders, including Mi’kmaq communities, local community members, and stakeholders of the establishment process and provide opportunities for public feedback, ask questions, and complete an online survey. These consultations will be conducted remotely via online meeting platforms such as Webex starting in June 2021.
How long is the consultation phase?
The public consultations will be open to public for a period of two months. The public will be provided comprehensive information packages on the project as well as online links to a survey for input.
How long will it take to conduct the Feasibility Study?
The study was announcement in August 2019 and includes extensive consultation and technical studies. Due to restrictions around COVID-19, the consultation phase was delayed and is set to begin in summer 2021 and last for a period of two months.
Does this Study consider the entire Sandhills chain or just Hog Island?
One objective of the Study is to define and recommend the size and scope of the proposed National Park Reserve.
Is there potential for business or employment opportunities for the PEI Mi’kmaq and Mi’kmaq communities?
The study will include the assessment of the potential social, environmental and economic benefits of the proposed National Park Reserve.
Will Mi’kmaq harvesting be affected by the establishment of a new park reserve?
The principal difference between a national park and a national park reserve is that the term “reserve” is used to recognize that there are unresolved claims of Aboriginal rights in the area. Prince Edward Island’s Mi’kmaq People will continue to freely participate in traditional land uses and spiritual activities, including traditional harvesting practices, and will be deeply involved in the cooperative management of the area with Parks Canada.
What are the results of the feasibility study?
Recent public consultation clearly demonstrated the public desire for conservation and landscape integrity. Details can be found in the Parks “What we Heard” report click here
What does signing this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) mean?
The signing of this MOU between the Government of Canada and the Mi’kmaq Leadership of PEI confirms that a national park reserve in Pituamkek is feasible and launches the negotiations towards a formal national park reserve establishment agreement. The signing of this MOU also confirms Parks Canada’s commitment to working closely with the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, and L’nuey, on a national park reserve establishment. The MOU identifies the proposed boundary, as well as the significant topics to be undertaken during the negotiations.
How were the current boundaries determined?
Conservation, protection and landscape integrity are all factors considered as the parties work toward the creation of this national park reserve and the boundaries being contemplated. The proposed working boundary includes important habitats for rare and endangered species and ecosystems; it also features places of Mi’kmaq cultural importance, numerous archaeological sites, and Mi’kmaw cultural landscapes.
What land is currently being considered for the National Park Reserve?
Currently the only focus on land being considered as part of the National Park Reserve is the shaded areas of the map identified as the Pituamkek Working Boundary, while the dotted line indicates a broader area of Ecological and Cultural Interest, from which the working boundary was chosen.
What is the area identified by the dotted line?
The area inside the dotted line, features lands with many of the same types of ecological and cultural significance as those within the working boundary.
Additional Questions?
Do you have questions that we have not answered? If so, please forward your questions to info@lnuey.ca.
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.
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.
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
The prize consists of:
Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
L’nuey blanket
L’nuey Toque
$200 grocery gift card
Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on March 12, 2024.
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.
Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.
‘Definition of Home’ Contest Rules
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.
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.
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
The prize consists of:
Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
L’nuey blanket
L’nuey Toque
$200 grocery gift card
Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on October 6, 2023.
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.
Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.
‘Shaping the Epekwitk of Tomorrow’ Contest Rules
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.
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.
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
The prize consists of:
Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
L’nuey blanket
L’nuey Toque
$200 grocery gift card
Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on May 8, 2023.
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.
Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.
‘Connected by Home’ Contest Rules
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.
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.
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
The prize consists of:
Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
L’nuey blanket
L’nuey Toque
$200 grocery gift card
Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on February 6, 2023.
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.
Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.
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