Benoit First Nation
March 28, 2008

 

Registration Coordinator Program

• I. Summary
• II. Introduction
• III. Needs/Problems
• IV. Goals/Objectives
• V. Procedures/Scope of Work
• VI. Timetable
• VII. Budget
• VIII.Key Personnel
• IX.Evaluation
• X.Endorsements
• XI.Next Steps
• XII.Appendix

I.    Summary

We believe we have the fundamental right to be registered as status Indians and now the government of Canada has agreed to correct the situation. For Canada’s failure to register the Mi’kmaq in 1949 and to provide services, the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will be set up, with participating Mi’kmaq applying to become founding members.  The provincial band will have millions of dollars in annual funding for various programs including university education for its members. Health Canada’s non-insured health benefits plan will also be a service provided through registration.

This proposed program will coordinate and execute a process under the direction of the Benoit First Nation Band Council and be available for all area residents of Mi’kmaq ancestry. The process will include:

·       Orientation and training of Coordinator to review, and assist local Mi’kmaw prepare their documentation and paperwork that is required with the registration application form.

·       Make family visits with local elders and help prepare them for the registration process. Once registered they will benefit right away through the health benefits plan and many urgently need this to ease their dwindling household budgets.

·       Develop a public awareness program for area Mi’kmaq families and their children of the benefits of registration and how to meet the requirements. To assist them with registration.

I.                      Introduction

Since 1949, the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq was left out of confederation as this was the only province not to recognize its aboriginal population. In the early 1970’s the native groups came together that included those from Labrador, Conne River and other Island Mi’kmaq. Our  local community was actively involved in this initial movement with Chief Benwah’s mother  board secretary for a time. Shortly after the three groups went their separate ways and our local community was left out of the FNI that was formed afterwards. The Labrador native groups have had much success becoming recognized as has the Conne River Mi’kmaq with just the remaining island Mi’kmaq left unrecognized. Finally after 30 years court action followed by out-of-court negotiations a wrong is being made right and we are to be welcomed under the Indian Act this fall.

Benoit First Nation, was founded continue the movement that began here in the early 1970’s to promote local Mi’kmaq culture, tradition, and knowledge and education. It is a newer representation of an old community. Our children and youth need to be exposed to the traditions and culture and to learn and be taught to respect and be proud of their Mi’kmaq Identity. Only then will their self-esteem and self-worth be at acceptable levels so that they can continue to grow and contribute to society.

“We may be Mi’kmaq in our hearts and in our souls but being recognized by the colonial governments will add to mutual respect as well as to our pride and our self-esteem in immeasurable ways,” Sagmaw jesn penwa.

Since the European presence to this area, our Mi’kmaq community has been subject to assimilation through various sources and recognition will help heal old wounds and allow us to feel as equals to the remaining Mi’kmaq population of the Mi’kmaq territories.

II.                  Needs/Problems

Our society has been subject to a long history of shame and humiliation and the result is a people who are out of touch with who we are and where we belong.

·       For over 100 years our people have been denied their heritage and until recently have lived in shame and fear. Our traditional way of life is all but disappeared and as a result our people have been disenchanted and displaced. This has caused many social problems.

·       No attempts have ever been made in our community to address these problems until now. Our youth need to reestablish their connection to their ancestors.

·       The result of this problem has been a population of low self-esteem, troubled youth, high substance abuse, and low graduations rates in the education system.

·       The impact of this problem includes a first nation community of low productivity and under-educated adults that have not contributed to society as much as they could – often living a life of social assistance dependency.

III.               Goals/Objectives

The goals and benefits of this proposal include:

·       Goal 1 To prepare the local Mi’kmaw for the fall registration process.

·       Goal 2 To become founding members of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band.

·       Goal 3 To become status Indians eligible to the services and programs available to landless band members.

·       Goal 4 To become active members of this provincial entity and to build cultural, traditional, social, economic and educational opportunities for the Mi’kmaq community, locally and at large.

IV.            Procedures/Scope of Work

The program will include contacting our Mi’kmaq families and provide them with the registration application and explain to them the requirements.

The requirements include.

1.       A genealogy connection for  each applicant to their known aboriginal ancestor through a pedigree and/or report.

2.       Provincial long form birth certificates, church, archival and other documents that establish this unbroken connection.

3.       Showing a connection to a pre1949 Mi’kmaq community through an ancestor.

4.       Showing an active connection to an existing Mi’kmaq community.

Timetable

The JCP program would begin in June 2008 and continue until November 2008

	Description of Work	Dates and Times
Week One	Initiation, preparation and orientation	June 15-21
Week Two	Meeting with band council and prepare information sessions with local Mi’kmaq	June 22-28
Week Three	Checking current band member documentation and helping prepare.	June 29- July 5
Week Four	Checking current band member documentation and helping prepare.	July 6-12
Week Five	Visiting Mi’kmaq elders and assisting them with registration requirements.	July 13-19
Week Six	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	July 20-26
Week Seven	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	July 27- Aug 2
Week Eight	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Aug 3-9
Week Nine	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Aug 10-16
Week Ten	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Aug 17-23
Week Eleven	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Aug 24-30
Week Twelve	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Aug 31-Sept 6
Week Thirteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Sept 7-13
Week Fourteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Sept 14-20
Week Fifteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Sept 21-27
Week Sixteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Sept 28- Oct 4
Week Seventeen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Oct 5-11
Week Eighteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Oct 12-18
Week Nineteen	Assisting local Mi’kmaq with documentation and eligibility.	Oct 19-25
Week Twenty	Wrap up and final reports	Oct 26- Nov 1

V.               Budget

Program Revenue:

SERVICE CANADA……………………………………………….$7,800.00

Band Council…………(+ $1200.00 in kind)……………..…..$2,400.00

Project Costs:

SC JCP Labour..……………………......$7,800.00

Materials and in kind expenses...…...$1200.00

Office expenses and telephone…....$1200.00

Total Project Costs...........……………………………………………….......…….......$10, 200.00

VI.            Key Personnel

List the key personnel who will be responsible for completion of the project, as well as other personnel involved in the project.

Sagmaw Jesn Penwawah, Vice-Chief Peter A. Benoit

VII.        Evaluation

Discuss On completion of the program, the Coordinator will prepare a detailed report describing what the experience has meant for all interested parties including all the regional Mi’kmaq bands and organizations.

VIII.     Endorsements

The local Mi’kmaq community has been repeatedly asking for this service and is supported by all local community organizations.

IX.             Next Steps

Please review our application

·       Contact us if you require further information

·       Please advise us that you have received our application

·       Please consider our application and advise if we were successful or not

X.                Appendix 1

Primary sponsoring organization: Benoit First Nation

Band office address: 811 Oceanview Drive, Degrau, and NL. AON-1T1

Band Office Telephone: 709-757-9444

Band website: http://www.benoitfirstnation.ca

Band Email: benoitfirstnation@hotmail.com

        BENOIT FIRST NATION Brief History

 

The Benoit First Nation consists of Mi’kmaq living in the communities of out on the Port au Port Peninsula, with some living outside in various locations throughout Turtle Island.

 

The Band office is located in Degrau; incorporated in 2005 the Council is the only form of Mi’kmaq government within the community.  The Band has democratic elections and operates by majority rule, with traditional procedures being used as much as possible.

 

In 2008, the executive consists of an elected Chief, Vice-Chief, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Benoit First Nation was born out of the necessity to provide representation to our people who were once considered forgotten and excluded.

 

Band Council Members are as follows:

Sagmaw:                  Jesn Penwa

Vice-Chief            Peter A. Benoit

Secretary:           Glenda Benwah

Treasurer:           Conrad Benoit

 

Elder                     Jerome J. Benoit

 

Women                 Mary Phyllis Young

 

Youth                    Samantha Jesso

Notes:

-Elders have special status as advisors.

-General Members are welcomed as observers at Band Council Meetings.

-General assemblies are held regularly and include an annual assembly where Constitutional amendments can be made.

-Elections and resolutions are conducted by secret ballot.

-General band council elections take place every three years.

-Front-page drawing by Sumur-Rae Benwah