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TRIPARTITE FORUM
May 12, 2004
Laying a Strong Foundation for the Future
June 21 is National Aboriginal Day, which provides an opportunity to celebrate the cultures and contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples have made to Canada. While there is a lot to celebrate the quality of life for most Aboriginal Peoples is poor and many issues remain unresolved. But in Nova Scotia the Mi’kmaq, the province and the Government of Canada are working together to make a difference.
In Nova Scotia key relationships include the Mi’kmaq – Nova Scotia – Canada Tripartite Forum and the Made-in-Nova Scotia Process. In June 2002, the parties made the commitment to address issues such as providing quality health care services to Aboriginal Peoples and achieving self-sufficiency in First Nation communities.
Recently at a Tripartite Forum meeting involving the 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and other Mi’kmaq and government officials, Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation spoke highly of the commitment from the three parties to the Tripartite Forum and its positive outcomes.
The commitment has helped to develop results such as the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network (MLSN). The program was developed to help bridge gaps and remove cultural barriers between the Mi’kmaq and the Nova Scotia legal system.
“Having a support system is invaluable,” said Janice Maloney, MLSN director. “The Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network exists because the Tripartite Forum acted as a strong vehicle to move this initiative.”
The Made-in-Nova Scotia Process, another key relationship between the Mi’kmaq, Nova Scotia and Canada, was formed to attempt to address issues of land, resources and governance rather then answering these questions in court.
In April the negotiators met with the media for the first time to provide an update on their progress. Tom Molloy, federal negotiator, said the Made-in-Nova Scotia Process was launched as a way for the Mi’kmaq, Canada and Nova Scotia to come up with cooperative solutions to outstanding aboriginal and treaty rights issues.
According to Jamie Campbell, chief negotiator for Nova Scotia, the Made-in-Nova Scotia Process is also about renewing the treaty relationship while building a stable relationship, which will allow a prosperous Mi’kmaw nation and a prosperous Nova Scotia.
The negotiators are in the process of developing a framework agreement that will include the objectives of negotiations, a timetable, list of subjects to be negotiated and a process to reach the objectives.
When asked how long the negotiations will take, all agreed that it would take time. As Bruce Wildsmith, lead negotiator for the Mi’kmaq, said it is a serious discussion that requires time to ensure it’s done properly.