Date: April 24, 2023
The federal and provincial governments have signed a memorandum of understanding with the thirteen Mi’kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia that would transfer the health services through Tajikeimɨk, a Mi’kmaq health and wellness organization run by the thirteen Chiefs and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, for the registered Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, discriminating against most Indigenous peoples that live off the federally created reservations.
They are excluding the off reserve and non-status Peoples in this province. This is part of our rights and recognition under the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In conjunction with the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action it states in Section 19 that, “We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities,” Furthermore in section 20 it states, “In order to address the jurisdictional disputes concerning Aboriginal people who do not reside on reserves, we call upon the federal government to recognize, respect, and address the distinct health needs of the Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve Aboriginal peoples.”
As it states in the Daniels’ vs Canada decision:
- Metis and Non-Status Indians are Indians under Section 91.24 of the Constitution of Canada.
- The Federal Government has a fiduciary duty to the Metis and Non-Status Indians.
- That Metis and Non-Status Indians have a right to be consulted and negotiated with in good faith by the Federal Government on a collective basis through representatives of their choice in regard to the interest of Aboriginal Peoples.
There was no consultations with the Native Council of Nova Scotia, which represents those that still live on their traditional homelands of Mi’kma’ki, to be included in this memorandum of understanding on delivery of health services for our Peoples. Aboriginal Peoples are people, not organizations.
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Contact Information:
Chief Lorraine Augustine
Native Council of Nova Scotia
902-895-1523 ext: 231
www.ncns.ca
