Letter to the editor -
Dear Editor:
On Nov. 30, 2007, a press release was issued regarding long overdue recognition under the Indian Act. This recognition would help band members build a better future. Pending ratification of the agreement by a majority of approximately 10,000 voting members of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, the Mi'kmaq would be added to the Indian Registry.
Newsletters were sent out to the members of the FNI from the winter of 2007 up to the fall 2009. All newsletters informed the people of this ongoing process, urging people to start searching their genealogy history in preparation for their application.
Review of applications would continue on the first stage of the enrolment process until Nov. 30, 2009. It did not state that all applications received by Nov. 30 would be reviewed. This information was also available to people via the FNI website.
On Nov. 30, 2007, it was announced that the members of the FNI had voted to accept the agreement-in-principle negotiated with the Government of Canada. Ninety per cent of FNI members were sent an information package containing the agreement-in-principle for the landless band and a CD with an electronic copy of the full agreement-in-principal prior to voting.
On Feb. 1, 2010, it was announced an accelerated process was going to take place for updating applications received up to Nov. 30, 2009. The membership list will be updated every four months after the band is established until the backlog of applications have been addressed. This accelerated process truly demonstrated the sincere concern FNI and Canada has for the Mi'Kmaq of Newfoundland and Labrador. Any other process that would cause further delays is certainly not in the best interest of our peoples.
After 30 years of seeking an agreement with the government to register our people, the process has now been delayed. Calvin White has asked the court to place an injunction against the formation of the Qalipu Band until the applications submitted prior to Nov. 30, 2009 have been reviewed. He filed the application for the injuction several weeks ago and said he has no idea how long the process will take, but it has been his experience that things do not happen quickly in the court system.
Delaying the process of the formation of the Qalipu Band further delays programs such as medical, dental, education, etc..., and the accelerated process which will only begin once the Qalipu Band is formed.
Chief Gerard Alexander
Indian Head First Nations
.jpg)
.jpg)
