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| Members attend Council Meeting |
The Benoit 1st Nation Band Council held a meeting on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Benoit 1st Nation council building.
Welcome: The meeting began with Chief Benwah welcoming everyone present which was the largest number of attendants in quite some time. Vice Chief Peter Benoit performed a smudging ceremony.
Minutes of the last meeting: After reviewing the minutes of the last meeting, a motion was made by Peter Benoit and seconded by Conrad Benoit. All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Agenda: After reviewing the agenda, a motion was made by Mary Young and seconded by Jerome Benoit. All were in favor and the motion was carried.
New Business:
Chief's Report: Chief Benwah gave a description and what the deal represents for band members and his feelings on the matter. He described the importance of federal recognition and how rare it is to be offered the opportunity to get it while not ordinarily qualifying under regular INAC (Indian Affairs) rules. This deal, he said was real compensation for Canada failing to recognize the Mi’kmaq when joining confederation in 1949. Despite the number of generations that have passed, regardless of blood quantum, despite marrying non-native he said all those who qualify will be registered as full status Indians equal to every other status Indian in Canada, regardless of where we live inside or outside of Newfoundland . There is nothing wrong with discussing the pros and cons of this deal but he said he believes that anyone who would not take advantage of it - is not dealing with the facts and the truth. Although the Benoit Nation band lawyer was still looking at the deal and will send a recommendation shortly, Chief Benwah says he wanted to see all Benoit Nation members registered. He believes that the lawyer will say that this is a great start that gets “our foot in the door”. It will allow us to be status Indians for the 1st time and should not be taken as something we can skip for something better.
The Chief stated that there is fact no alternative, nothing better - there is nothing else on the horizon. There are no actual active class action suites or court actions or out-of-court negotiating taking place and there never has been. If anyone is saying so they are misleading the public. One group has a proposed class action suite that the provincial Supreme Court dismissed last year because the court felt (rightfully so the Chief believes) that it has no jurisdiction because it is a federal matter. The same group is going back to the provincial court of appeals to appeal the decision. There is no so-called active court case fighting for anything for the Mi’kmaq people. This landless deal is it folks. He also explained the clause that will be part of the application form that seems to be an issue for the disgruntled. It refers specifically to this deal on the table only that once accepted cannot be revisited through the courts for Canada’s past failure to take us under the Indian act in 1949 and seeking any damages caused by this failure. Basically, we can pursue any court actions that will see us get other things that we feel we should have after the formation of the Qalipu band without seeking any compensation from before the band was formed. Is not federal registration, access to its programs, formation of a band with millions of annual dollars for all Mi’kmaq - real compensation? Yes it is! The FNI fight for recognition started in the 1980’s and this deal is real measurable progress.
Would we want to have more that basic programs offered by registration, yes we would. That will require future court actions. Land and hunting & fishing rights, and/or anything else will have to be established separately – is not hindered or helped by this deal - and it would be ludicrous for anyone to suggest that we kill this deal and wait for a better deal as we may never see anything for another generation or so – if ever. He also stated that those who hold out will be sorry after this deal is concluded because, registering directly with Indian Affairs requires that you have a sister, brother, parent , aunt or uncle already registered in a Indian Act band in order to qualify. Those who don’t make this requirement will be out of luck. So beware of those whose self-interest is to see this deal fail to serve their own agendas because these people are playing a dangerous game of divide and conquer. Don’t let their power play deter you from your basic right to be registered as a status Indian. He concluded by stating that the registered FNI members in Benoit 1st Nation will be voting in favor of the deal in the ratification vote on March 29th. The band council will be reviewing member’s documentation to prepare them for the fall registration. He also reminded everyone that every man, woman, and child will require a long-form provincial birth certificate for registration.
Vice-Chief Peter Benoit's Report: He reminded mmbers that we are again accepting new members but copies of long form birth certifcates for each applicant, and proper paper work must be included or applications will be returned.
In the absence of the secretary, Chief Benwah stated that we had 316 band members as of this meeting.
Treasurer Report: Conrad Benoit reported on the state of finances of the band from September 1, 2007 (the beginning of the financial year for the band) to March 16, 2008. Click on this link to see report. A motion was made by Phyllis Young and seconded by Peter Benoit to accept the financial statements as presented. All were in favour and the motion was carried.
Women's Report: Phyllis reported that
Coffee, tea and snacks were available to everyone at the meeting.
Question and answer period: A number of questions and answers followed and Chief Benwah thanks everyone, on behalf of the band council, for coming out and showing support of the band.
Adjournment: This was followed by an adjournment at 3:30 pm.
Elder Jerome Benoit, Saqamaw Jasen Benwah, and Vice-Chief Peter A. Benoit
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Copyright © 2008 Benoit First Nation
