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MLSN & TRIPARTITE FORUM
December 10, 2004
Mi'kmaw Cultural Gathering held at Correctional Facility
(Halifax, NS) - The Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network and the
Mi'kmaq - Nova Scotia - Canada Tripartite Forum hosted a cultural gathering
on December 2, 2004. It was held at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional
Facility in Burnside. The event was designed to provide Mi'kmaw and
Aboriginal inmates with the opportunity to participate in drumming,
story telling, traditional dancing and smudging ceremonies.
"I think it is a positive move to have cultural gatherings like these
in correctional facilities. It fosters a better understanding of the
differences among the inmates, and in this case helps people understand
the cultural differences of the Mi'kmaq people," comments Don Julien,
Executive Director, The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq.
The gathering acted as a connection to the inmates' Mi'kmaw heritage
and community life, as these ceremonies would be a regular part of the
Mi'kmaw inmates' lives away from the correctional facility. The event
will also acted as an educational opportunity for non-native inmates.
Minister of Justice, Michael Baker comments, "This cultural gathering
is a great example of cooperation among the three levels of government
- Mi'kmaq, Provincial and Federal. As Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
and Minister of Justice for Nova Scotia, it is encouraging to see this
type of cooperation that strengthens the cultural connections for Aboriginal
inmates in our province."
The event was a collaboration of the Tripartite Forum, The Mi'kmaw Legal
Support Network, the Nova Scotia Office of Aboriginal Affairs, Nova
Scotia Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.
The Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network (MLSN) was initiated by the Nova Scotia
Mi'kmaw Chiefs to develop and maintain a sustainable justice support
system, which will ensure fair treatment for all Mi'kmaw and Aboriginal
Peoples in the justice system. The MLSN originated in the work of The
Tripartite Forum. The Tripartite Forum is a partnership between the
Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government
of Canada to strengthen relationships and to resolve outstanding Mi'kmaw
issues of mutual concern.
For more information:
On the gathering, MLSN and Tripartite Forum:
Jeff Bishop
Communications Officer
Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum & Mi'kmaw Legal Support
Network
902.895.6385-office
902.899.8890-mobile
jeff@cmmns.com
On the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility:
Richard Perry
Director of Communications
Nova Scotia Department of Justice
902.424.6811 - office
perryrg@gov.ns.ca