Mi'kmaq Matters

The fate of 10,000 people who lost their status rests on the Abbott case decision. Jaimie Lickers, lawyer for the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland, tells us what to expect in federal court this week. Later in the show, we take a look at Yellow Vests Canada, a group that includes Indigenous people while promoting anti-Indigenous racism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Russ Diabo, policy analyst and publisher of the First Nations Strategic Bulletin, joins us to discuss the Jody Wilson-Raybould affair. He says that Perry Bellegarde, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), seems to have a different opinion than most Indigenous communities regarding the Wilson-Raybould resignation. And later, Dave Wells discusses how the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland (MFNAN) could become a non-status band. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's too soon to say whether Beothuk are really extinct, says Chief Misel Joe, and DNA research is still needed to show if there's a Mi'kmaq connection. Later in the show, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band’s cultural resource co-ordinator, Nicole Travers, tells us about an ongoing project to expand an interactive map that centres traditional Mi'kmaq language with collected stories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The remains of two Beothuk people, Demasduit and Nonosabasut, are to be returned to Newfoundland in the near future. But where is an appropriate resting place: a museum, or their traditional territory near the Exploits River? MP Scott Simms discusses the process of returning the remains and the complicated decisions still to be made. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Russ Diabo, policy analyst and publisher of the First Nations Strategic Bulletin, says that when Judy Wilson-Raybould ran afoul of the bureaucracy and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sided with Bennett. Later, Greg Janes discusses the promotion of Seamus O'Regan to Indigenous Services from Veterans Affairs, where his performance got an F from vets. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After intense discussion at a council meeting on Saturday, Qalipu decides to risk the wrath of anti-hunt protesters and get into the seal business with its own brand of seal oil capsules. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Joanne Miles takes over from Liz Lasaga at the end of the month, she will be in charge of managing a difficult relationship with the Qalipu First Nation and preparing for a long-awaited summit of the two bands. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enrolment was the Qalipu story of 2018, and Chief Brendan Mitchell gives us his take on the process which began last week in a meeting with the feds to resolve some of the outstanding issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Gros Morne, there is no official Mi'kmaq involvement in terms of moose harvest. Across the water in Unima'ki (Cape Breton), though, Mi'kmaq people carry out the harvest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in our traditional way and distribute the meat across the province. Clifford Paul of the Unima'ki Institute of Natural Resources tells us about it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to define a Mi'kmaq nation and how does Qalipu fit in? This week: reflections on the self-government summit from Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Roger Augustine and Qalipu councillor Brian Dicks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The federal government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians are set to meet on December 11 and 12, signalling the beginning of the next stages of the enrolment process. Qalipu councillor Frank Skeard tells us what to expect. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During the Abbott case, expected to be heard early next year, the federal court will determine whether the points system used to decide Qalipu membership was legal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we speak with Chief Misel Joe and historian William Wicken about how Qalipu members can gain hunting and fishing rights. This requires getting around the Drew decision, which found that ancestors of the Mi'kmaq in Miawpukek arrived on the south coast with the Europeans. According to the government, this means Qalipu members have no Aboriginal or treaty rights. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the new Central Vice-Chief, Randy Drover will be one member of a three-person executive council that will run the Qalipu band between council meetings and decide what's included—and excluded—from the agenda. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a brutal three years, Brendan Mitchell has been re-elected chief of Qalipu First Nation. His new council will be dominated by allies, and the enrolment issue safely at a distance in the courts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Russell, a candidate for chief of the Qalipu First Nation, says, like many other band members, he doesn't know much about Mi'kmaw culture but will learn on the job. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mayor Tom Rose would rather no urban reserve be built then see the planned development suck business out of Stephenville. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jasen Benwah was unopposed in the last election, but this time he's facing Michael Alexander. This week, they both join us to talk about their campaigns. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we take a look at the candidates for the 2018 Qalipu election. With three members of the extended White family of Flat Bay in the running, only two of the other candidates are women.And later in the show, the Assembly of First Nation's Regional Chief Morley Googoo talks to us about repairing Qalipu relationship with other Mi'kmaq. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Greg Janes and Ed Brake describe their emotional meeting with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Seamus O'Regan, this past Thursday. Brake, a retired RCMP officer returned his service medal to the Minister to protest the loss of status. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.