by Zabrina Whitman, Policy Analyst, KMKNO

Since November 2016, the Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO), on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly), has been reporting back on the research done and information collected on Mi’kmaq identity and beneficiaries. One of the Pillars of the Assembly and the negotiation process is “to revive, promote and protect a healthy Mi’kmaq identity”. This has been a priority to the Assembly since 2007, and following the signing of the Nationhood Proclamation in 2008, KMKNO started having engagement sessions with Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. Until fall 2015, individuals were engaged through a number of ways, including community sessions, think-tanks, symposiums, conferences, regional sessions, Nationhood conferences, surveys, webinars, articles and social media. In winter and spring 2016 we reviewed all of the information collected from community members and all of the research conducted so that we could report back on what we heard and to determine if what we heard was correct.

From November 2016 to June 2017 we have had 29 different meetings, sessions and discussions on this topic all across the province. We have reached out to each Chief and Council and to date we have presented to 12 Band Councils, the Grand Council and presented at the 2017 Nationhood Conference.

Overall, the feedback has been consistent. When we discuss who is an heir of the Treaties, meaning who is a beneficiary, we are asking who is Nova Scotia Mi’k ...