By Chief Jasen Benwah, Benoit Mi'kmaq Band
De Grau, NL. Canada
As Chief of Benoit First Nation, I have some opinions in regards to our traditional lands and its usage. There are a number of points I would like to make in this regard:
I speak for the membership in our band when I say that there are six Mi'kmaq bands in this region and we have not yet not come together to speak as one voice - this is unfortunate but true. I believe that each group would have a problem if another group tried to make any claims on their respective territory. We must unite on some level so that this will not happen and that we work together as one nation for the good of all our clans and communities.
I believe we do live on our traditional territories and we do deserve consideration, compensation and involvement when someone from the outside wants use of these resources. Our Mi'kmaq ancestors claimed unrestricted usage of the land (territory) and its resources. It needs to also be said that we need to be part of the environmental protection and conservation efforts of today as it relates to these resources.
We were a migratory people. The whole notion of land ownership, in its present day context, is one the colonial governments started when they threw native communities in other areas on reserves and restricted their historic and traditional use of land and resources outside the reserves.
I agree as the whole Mi'kmaq community of the region has always believed that the Treaties signed by the British Colonial Government and the Mi'kmaq nation includes this island of Newfoundland and very definitely includes the Mi'kmaq of St. George's Bay.
I believe that we would all agree that our people have been denied equality with other Mi’kmaq communities in the Maritimes (and Conne River) and have been denied traditional usage of our lands and its resources as was granted through the Marshall decision – a court approved modern interpretation of the Peace and Friendship treaties signed in the 1700s. This is a wrong that has to be made right. We can and should work together as one voice in the region to correct this and I, for one, would be a willing participant in any such process.
Having made these statements, I do not want to add to any perception that we are a people divided. I do feel obligated to express these opinions and concerns. I hold no malice towards anyone and also respect anyone else's wish to disagree with any of my opinions and beliefs.
November 28, 2006
Penwa' Mawi-Amskwesewey L'nue'kati
Copyright © 2006 Benoit First Nation