Mi'kmaq Matters

The Newfoundland Liberals under Dwight Ball are among the worst of any provincial administration in terms of environment, both for actions and inactions, says former civil servant and biologist Douglas Ballam. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Victoria Neville and Bill Montevecchi, two senior members of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC), say there were mere window-dressings in a political game in which mining and other resource interests have the provincial government's ear, and conservation plans just gather dust on the desks of bureaucrats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gary Metallic Sr., a member of the Listuguj First Nation band council and the hereditary tribal council, talks about the community's rail blockade in support of Wet'suwet'en, and the need to look beyond colonial structures toward Indigenous leadership. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia is relatively unique role in the Assembly of First Nations: She or he will serve one nation, the Mi'kmaq. This week, we ask Cheryl Maloney—whose complaints of harassment, along with others, led to the ousting of former Regional Chief Morley Googoo—about the job, future challenges, and whether she's interested in applying. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After developing his navigational skills on the West Coast of "Newfoundland," James Cook arrived on the east coast of Australia in 1770. The 250th anniversary of that date gives special significance to this year's Invasion Day, the term Indigenous people give the government-recognized 'Australia Day'—the country's national holiday. But it's a day that, for many Indigenous Australians, marks the beginning of the violence and oppression they continue to face today. Our guest this week is pastor and Indigenous rights activist Ray Minniecon, speaking with us from Australia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seki Bernard Sr. of Eskasoni is the latest fisherman to have his boat sabotaged in the power vacuum created by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' failure to implement the 20-year-old Supreme Court decision. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Former Qalipu Chief Brendan Sheppard reflects on the 1976 land claim, why it failed, and how to improve chances of success for a future claim. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oral history suggests a connection between ancient Beothuk and Mi'kmaq—so far there is no scientific proof, but that could change with the results of a genetic study commissioned by Miawpukwek First Nation. This week, we speak with Steve Carr of Terra Nova Genomics Inc. who was hired by Miawpukwek to do that very research. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland gathers for its annual meeting, members will be lamenting the Abbott case but revving up for an appeal. They'll also be planning another crack at becoming the Newfoundland affiliate in the national organization, which represents non-status Indigenous people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The North American Indigenous Games in 2020 will bring 5,000 athletes to Halifax next July, and culture will be showcased along with the sports. We hear from Brendon Smithson of the organizing committee and Mike Alexander, one of the coordinators for Team Newfoundland and Labrador. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Note: this episode deals with topics of sexual assault that may be triggering to some listeners. Please listen with care. We speak to Elizabeth Marshall about the reaction in Eskasoni to the 25 sex-related charges against Joel Denny, a prominent member of the community known for his work in Mi'kmaq language development. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lawyer Michael McDonald speaks about the land, the treaty and the river at the heart of the struggle to protect the waters of the Shubenacadie that are part of traditional Mi'kmaq life in central Nova Scotia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A decision by the Federal Court of Appeal in the Brake case means more judicial scrutiny of the controversial side deal between Canada and Federation of Newfoundland Indians. The class action offers another chance to nix the supplemental agreement.We interview plaintiffs' lawyer David Rosenfeld of the law firm Koskie Minsky. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Miawpukek First Nation's Chief Mi'sel Joe still supports the sea-based industry, but worries about transparency—he also has questions about whether warm weather caused the massive die-off at Northern Harvest, and why no other operation was affected. Later in the show, Wade Locke, a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland Professor, explains why Indigenous issues were left off the table at an upcoming conference on economic, social, and cultural development. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sea-based aquaculture or no jobs? Government media management offers the public few alternatives to risky ventures. But PODCO, a new provincial affairs podcast, aims to empower citizens with evidentiary background on a variety of policy options. This week, we speak with one of its creators, Stephen Tomblin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chief PJ Prosper of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs hopes there will be a better process for choosing Morley Googoo's replacement. And later in the show, we check-in with Cheryl Maloney about going public with her harassment and bullying complaint against Googoo, and how she feels now that he has been removed from office. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who knew what, and when? This week, we speak to NDP Fisheries critic Jim Dinn who says that rather than personally attacking those raising questions about the salmon die-off, Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne should appoint a legitimate, independent inquiry into what is turning out to be an environmental and economic disaster. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Upon her death, Corner Brook resident Dee Dee Starling wants to be buried in a section of Mount Patricia cemetery reserved for Mi'kmaq people. In recent weeks, talks have started between Qalipu First Nation and the cemetery to make that a reality. This week, we hear from Starling and Lloyd Walters, chair of the Mount Patricia board of directors, about what it will take to honour Mi'kmaq wishes to be buried in a traditional way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cheryl Maloney's allegations of harassment led to the suspension of the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Morley Googoo. Now, the former President of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association says people are afraid to speak out against Googoo for fear of losing jobs, funding and services because the chiefs of the 13 First Nations in Nova Scotia dominate every Indigenous organization in the province. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The hydro company recently sprayed a power line right of way with three kinds of herbicide, just as people from across southwestern Newfoundland headed to the area to pick blueberries, as they have for decades. Norm Strickland Sr. of Burgeo, one of the first to discover that the area had been sprayed, tells us about how it has been fairing since. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.