PRESS RELEASES
February 13, 2008
Federation of Newfoundland
Indians Launches Education Campaign to Ratify Federal Agreement
For
Immediate Release February 13, 2008
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
and Labrador: The Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) launched
an education campaign today to encourage its membership to ratify the Agreement-in-Principle
negotiated with the Government of Canada, so the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland
can move forward with their efforts to achieve official recognition under
the Indian Act.
On November 30, 2007, Prime Minister
Stephen Harper visited St. George’s, Newfoundland, to announce that an
Agreement-in-Principle had been reached which would provide an opportunity
for the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland to obtain official recognition as status
Indians.
“The goal of the
education campaign is to ensure the FNI membership is informed about
the agreement and to encourage our members to exercise their right
to vote on this important matter,” said FNI President, Brendan Sheppard.
The
campaign will include the Internet, radio and print advertising as
well as community information sessions. Voting information will be
posted. Information will also be mailed to each member, including
a 24-page information booklet on the agreement, and a voter card
that informs members about polling locations, advance voting and
to encourage them to get out to vote on March 29, 2008.
When
Newfoundland joined Confederation, the Mi’kmaq living in the province
were not considered for inclusion within the terms of the Indian
Act.
The Agreement-in-Principle is designed to rectify this historic omission.
“By
voting to ratify the agreement, our members will be helping our people
gain access to federal programs that are applicable to off-reserve
Status Indians, such as post-secondary education, health benefits and
economic development programs. It will also resolve a long-standing
issue and avoids a potentially time-consuming and expensive court battle.
We will then be able to focus on what really matters – building a brighter
future as First Nations Indians,” added Sheppard.
Pending
ratification of the agreement, the FNI and Canada will sign a final
agreement. The FNI anticipates that the registration and enrollment
process would begin in the fall of 2008. Once the first phase of
registration is successfully completed, the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland
will be added to the federal Indian Registry and the *Qalipu Mi’kmaq
Band will be established. It is anticipated that the new band could
possibly be established early in 2010. No reserve will be created
as a result of this agreement.
Based in Corner Brook, the FNI currently represent approximately 10,500 Mi’Kmaqs affiliated with nine local bands and a general membership list.
*Qalipu, pronounced hal-lay-boo, is the Mi'kmaq word for caribou.For more
information, contact:
Caron Hawco, ABC
709-738-5262
contact@caronhawco.com
Or
visit our Agreement-in-Principle website: www.qalipu.com