Shows
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 287: Can UNDRIP change NL policy that Mi'kmaq have no rights?UN Declaration is part of federal statute and now the AFN wants to incorporate it into provincial law, which might be a big deal in NL, where the government says Mi'kmaq arrived with Europeans and don't have same status as our people in Nova Scotia. We speak with Keith Cormier, who's coordinating AFN outreach on the island. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-11-1818 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 264: Searching for Mi'kmaq Historical Sites Before It's Too LateAs development pressure and erosion threaten potentially important sites, archaeologist Natasha Jones launches a research project—one of the few related to Newfoundland Mi'kmaq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-09-0521 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 255: Protecting Mi'kmaw Archeological MaterialsIn the rush to build projects in response to the climate crisis, governments have tried to take shortcuts around consultation with Indigenous peoples. Twila Gaudet and Patrick Butler of Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn (KMKNO) explain how Mi'kmaq reached an agreement with a hydrogen power developer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-05-2315 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 253: Is Mi'kmaq Land Being Sacrificed for a Hydrogen Bubble?In Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, land defenders are up against a rush to build an untested form of energy that some experts feel won't work. We speak with Sheila and Zita Hinks about their latest trip to court in their injunction fight regarding wind turbines on the Port au Port Peninsula. Later in the show, journalist Joan Baxter tells us about the Nova Scotia government's rush to approve projects despite unanswered questions and public concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-05-0927 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 251: Looking After Forests in a Mi'kmaw WayIn Nova Scotia, the Mi'kmaq Forestry Initiative (MFI) is caring for 30,000 hectares of crown land so that L'nuk today and for generations to come can depend on them for what they need, including culture, medicine, and connection. We speak with MFI project manager Elizabeth Jessome of the Unama'ki Institute for Natural Resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-04-2519 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 246: A Mi'kmaq Band Bursts Back to LifeThis week, Glenn Wheeler and Greg Janes discuss the tough dilemma facing voters in Long Range Mountains: Is it okay to vote for fellow Mi'kmaw Carol Anstey, even if her leader, Pierre Poilievre, was part of the anti-Indigenous Harper government? Plus: the Port au Port Mi'kmaq band plans to revive Mi'kmaw culture in communities on the east side of the peninsula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-02-2820 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 242: Land Occupation on the Port au Port PeninsulaMi'kmaq Matters correspondent Greg Janes and host Glenn Wheeler discuss protests that have shut down work on a mammoth wind energy project for two weeks. Plus: What's up with the abrupt stop to Dean Simon's language classes for Qalipu First Nation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-01-3119 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 235: The Stephenville Summit on Land and Water DefenceWith wilderness-destructive development at the highest rate than at any time in Newfoundland history and eco advocacy at its lowest, Mi'kmaq Matters convenes an emergency meeting to discuss a way forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-10-1843 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 233: Rising Star Jason Benoit Unplugged in Fox Island RiverQalipu band member and country star Jason Benoit talks about his Mi'kmaq roots and staying grounded as his song Shootin Me Down climbs the country charts across Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-10-0427 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 232: Green Energy or Greenwashing?This week, journalist Joan Baxter on the first phase of a Nova Scotia project that will use coal-fired electricity to produce hydrogen power for export, and a second phase that would see hundreds of wind turbines placed on environmentally sensitive territory important to Mi'kmaq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-09-2722 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 229: Reflections After Ten Bad DaysA fish farm expansion, a gold mine approved, and a mammoth windmill project. With our two chiefs in bed with the provincial government, we need a strategy to bring Mi'kmaq people together to do what our leaders refuse to do: defend our land and water. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-09-0617 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 220: Feds and Province Promise to Do More to Protect Newfoundland WildernessThe province of Newfoundland has one of the worst conservation records in the country—is its promise to do more to protect provincial wilderness areas just talk, or will action follow? Plus, an update on the fight to defend Mi'kmaq ancestral land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-06-1328 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 216: Human Trafficking in Nova ScotiaCONTENT NOTE: This episode includes discussions about gender-based violence and assault. Please listen with care. This week, Mi'kmaq Matters researcher Rachael Dyal speaks with Heidi Marshall, co-founder of the Jane Paul Indigenous Resource Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, about human trafficking and the particular risks Indigenous women face in the province.Read the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls here: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report. For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing...
2022-04-1929 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 215: Saving Ancestral Land from the ChainsawMi'kmaq gear up for a last-ditch effort to save Charlie's Place, ancestral Mi'kmaq land in central Newfoundland, from Corner Brook's Pulp and Paper Ltd. We speak with land defender Justin Hodge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-04-1224 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 213: Bands Burst Back to LifeAcross Newfoundland, status and non-status Mi'kmaq are building community and cultural connections by reviving community bands that fell dormant with the establishment of Qalipu. Now, they're back. The latest is in Elmastukwek (Bay of Islands) and we speak with Chief Terri Greene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-03-2919 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 210: Mi'kmaq Artist Gearl's Journey From The Ground UpThis week, King's College journalism student and Mi'kmaq Matters intern Rachael Dyal speaks with Eskasoni rapper Gearl about his new album, From The Ground Up, his songwriting process, and music as a form of therapy. You can listen to From The Ground Up on Spotify and Soundcloud.https://open.spotify.com/album/7F11xXJYIMLsMwVmcswDkV?si=600-k05TQp6-l9EnyrFysA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-03-0726 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 208: Legal Win for Native Council of Nova ScotiaAfter Indian Act chiefs intervened with the province, hunting licences for non-status Mi'kmaq in Nova Scotia were taken away. Now, the Native Council of Nova Scotia has scored an important legal win in the battle to reinstate them. This week, we speak with Lorraine Augustine, Chief of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-02-1520 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 207: Mi'kmaq Stage Showdown at Beaver DamProposed gold mines would be located on last undisturbed wilderness in Nova Scotia, areas important to residents of Millbrook First Nation for food gathering and traditional use. This week, we speak with reporter Joan Baxter, who has been covering the story for the Halifax Examiner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-02-0820 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 202: Mummers, Mayhem, and ViolenceMi'kmaq are written out of the tourism narrative of Newfoundland and Labrador in favour of quaint and quirky people and events sanitized of their historic reality. Case in point: mummering, that charming Christmas-season dress-up. But in the 1800s, mummers' parades were marked by drinking, violence, and sectarian clashes between a Catholic underclass and Protestant-dominated elite. This week, we speak with folklorist Joy Fraser about the history of mummering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-12-2123 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 196: Another Epidemic in Bay St. George—Opioid AddictionHighlights from our panel discussion in Stephenville on the troubled Bay St. George–Qalipu relationship. This week, finding an Indigenous response to the addictions/mental health crisis in the area, and Qalipu's privileging of Corner Brook in economic development, featuring Stephenville mayor Tom Rose; Kippens mayor Debbie Brake-Patten; candidate for Qalipu Western Vice-Chief Jenny Brake; and Peggy White, Chief of the Three Rivers Mi'kmaq Band and candidate for Qalipu Chief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-10-1219 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 195: Addiction Epidemic Demands Attention, Says Stephenville CandidateD'Arcy Butler calls for an Indigenous approach to the opioid crisis in the Bay St. George area. And we have details about the upcoming Mi'kmaq Matters debate between four candidates for chief of Qalipu First Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-10-0522 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 194: Qalipu and Bay St. George—(Re)Building a RelationshipThe first part of our special Mi'kmaq Matters presentation held on September 23 in Stephenville, featuring Stephenvlle mayor Tom Rose, candidate for Qalipu Chief Peggy White, Kippens mayor Debbie Brake-Patten, and candidate for Qalipu Western Vice-Chief Jenny Brake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-09-2824 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 188: Vice-Chief Candidate Says It's Time for a Qalipu OverhaulThis week, we speak with vice-Chief candidate Jenny Brake, who says Qalipu has to be more Indigenous- and less business-focused; more welcoming to Mi'kmaq who visit the band office; and more willing to heal the wounds caused by the enrolment disaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-08-1020 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 170: The One-Year Anniversary of the Three Rivers Mi'kmaq BandOne year old and looking to the future, the new community band continues to advocate for an aging community with dwindling services and nurture Mi'kmaq culture—all while looking for a relationship with Qalipu. This week, we speak with Chief Peggy White. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-03-0923 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 169: Qalipu No Help in Fishing Rights CaseIn 2018, Murray Duffy was charged with taking too many fish in the recreational cod fishery. This April, nearly three years later, he will be back in court to continue his fight to establish that Mi'kmaq in Newfoundland, like our people in Nova Scotia, have a Treaty right to fish. Despite promising in the last election campaign to fight for fishing rights for Qalipu members, Chief Brendan Mitchell now says there's nothing he can do to help. Duffy will have to face the judge alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-02-2328 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 166: Becoming Burgeo's ChiefElaine Ingram remembers being shunned as a child for being Mi'kmaq. Now, she's chief of the Burgeo First Nation, which provides food, culture, and belonging to everyone in the town—whether they're Mi'kmaq or not. This week, we speak with Ingram about her experiences growing up in Burgeo, her initial hesitation about becoming chief, and what's next for the band. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-01-1818 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 165: A Different Take on Fish FarmsWhile Mi'kmaq chiefs like Misel Joe and Terry Paul defend sea-based aquaculture, First Nations in BC have been waging a years-long struggle to shut it down. Just before the holidays, they scored a major victory: a phaseout of aquaculture operations near the Discovery Islands between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. This week, we speak with Bob Chamberlin, one of the leaders of the successful First Nations effort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-01-1227 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 164: Mi'kmaq at the Grassroots with Chief Rhonda SheppardThis week, we speak with Rhonda Sheppard, newly elected Chief of the St. Georges Indian Band, about the important role bands like hers play in connecting status and non-status Mi'kmaq with our culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-01-0522 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 163: Are the Jobs Worth the Environmental Risk?Highlights from the Mi'kmaq Matters online public meeting on the proposed Valentine Lake gold mine, featuring Muchie Bennett, Brian McLaren, Richard Huang, Jim Kuipers and Simone Cominelli. You can watch the full meeting at facebook.com/mikmaqmatters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-12-2230 minMi'kmaq MattersA Public Meeting on the Environmental Impact of the Valentine Lake Gold MineJoin us on Monday, December 14, for a public discussion about the potential environmental impact of the Valentine Lake gold mine, moderated by Glenn Wheeler—host of the Mi'kmaq Matters podcast and radio program.The virtual public meeting begins at 7 p.m. NST (6:30 p.m. AST/5:30 p.m. ET) with an opening prayer from Muchie (Kenneth) Bennett, keeper of traditional Mi'kmaq knowledge, followed by a panel discussion with Brian McLaren, Lakehead University professor and caribou expert; Richard Huang, Trent University graduate student; Jim Kuipers, mining engineer; Suzanne Dooley, Conservation Director of Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS NL); and Simone Cominelli, Me...
2020-12-1100 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 161: Is Valentine Lake the Worst Place for an Open-Pit Gold Mine?Mining engineer Jim Kuipers, who has studied resource developments across the continent on behalf of Indigenous peoples, says the area in Central so-called "Newfoundland" is at the height of land and near multiple bodies of water, making an operation that will use cyanide in its processes more risky. Plus: details on the Mi'kmaq Matters virtual community circle on the proposed mine, happening on December 14 at 7 p.m. NST (6:30 p.m. AST/5:30 p.m. ET). This is the opportunity to hear from mining experts, and to ask questions about the environmental impacts of the proposed Valentine Lake mine. Hosted...
2020-12-0819 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 160: One Caribou Herd for 320 Jobs—Marathon Gold Environmental Impact StatementMarathon Gold Corporation has released its environmental impact statement on the controversial Valentine Lake mega-mine. Marathon acknowledges there will be "significant" negative effects on the Buchans Plateau caribou herd—already at historic low numbers—and it is not known if mitigation measures will work. The release of the Marathon impact statement begins the period for public comments, which can be sent to iaac.valetine.aeic@canada.ca. Here at Mi'kmaq Matters, we're using public participation funds from the Impact Assessment Agency to review the Marathon submissions on caribou. This week, we speak with our lead researcher, Dr. Brian McLaren, a cari...
2020-12-0127 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 159: Mi'kmaq Buy ClearwaterThe purchase of Clearwater by Mi'kmaq is the perfect antidote for those images of harassment by non-Indigenous fishers. But what does the mega deal mean for sustainability and internal equity among Mi'kmaw communities? This week, we speak with professor Tony Charles of St. Mary's University. Plus a preview of the next Qalipu meeting and the enrolment protest that will greet chief and council. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-11-2425 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 155: Mi'kmaq Fisheries and Qalipu Seal Oil CapsulesLabelled "Waspu" after the Mi'kmaq word for seal, Qalipu will soon launch its own brand of seal oil capsules says John Davis of Qalipu Development Corporation. Plus: are the feds really getting it on Moderate Livelihood? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-10-2019 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 153: Mi'kmaw Fisheries Struggle and Qalipu Enrolment Check-UpTraditional leader Gary Mettalic Sr. of Listuguj First Nation calls for Mi'kmaq to assert Aboriginal title for the rest of Mi'kma'ki not included in Elsipogtog claim. And we hear from lawyer David Rosenfeld on who's in and out of Qalipu enrolment class action case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-09-3028 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 152: Nova Scotia Fisheries and a Mi'kmaq Matters Funding AnnouncementThis week, host Glenn Wheeler and producer Allison Baker discuss the $11,500 in funding Mi'kmaq Matters has received from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada that will enable an independent review of the Valentine Lake project with the assistance of a caribou expert and researcher. And later, we check in with Cory Francis, the Mi'kmaw Conservation Group Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator, about Mi'kmaw moderate livelihood fishery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-09-2220 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 149: Global Gold Rush Hits NewfoundlandThis week, news of another gold mine proposal for central Newfoundland, and a conversation with filmmaker Robert Lang about gold's toll on the environment and human rights. Plus: Details on how to access a free screening of Lang's new documentary, The Shadow of Gold. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Lang, Mi'kmaq Matters and other Atlantic Canada correspondents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-08-2422 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 148: Glooscap Radio Launch and an Update on Poisoned BlueberriesThis week, we speak with Michael Peters of Glooscap Radio, the newest member of the Mi'kmaq Matters radio network. And later, we ask MHA Andrew Parsons about how to get blueberries on the table before they're poisoned by herbicide spray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-08-1824 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 141: Unpacking the Hostility Toward the WERAC Conservation PlanResidents on the Great Northern Peninsula—some of them Mi'kmaq—have condemned the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) report, encouraged by compromised cabinet minister Christopher Mitchelmore. Has the provincial government finally released the conservation plan only to kill it? This week, we speak with biologists Victoria Neville and Bill Montevecchi, who resigned from WERAC over the delayed report release. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-06-0924 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 140: Government Visit to Listuguj Triggers Memories of Salmon WarsUninvited, federal fisheries officer crossed a checkpoint at Listuguj, set up to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 transmission, even though the community manages its salmon. This week, we speak with band councillor and traditional leader Gary Metallic Sr. about the recent visit, the fight for salmon rights, and the lessons that can be learned from the Listuguj process for current Mi'kmaq rights negotiations in Nova Scotia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-06-0225 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 137: Dispelling Mi'kmaq Myths and Righting HistoryA quarter century after he finished his Master's thesis, Jerry Wetzel's paper remains a powerful statement on the history of the island of Newfoundland as told from a Mi'kmaw perspective, rather the European view that has colonized minds for hundreds of years. This week, we speak with Wetzel about his thesis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-05-1227 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 136: Genetic Link Between Beothuk and Living PersonsIn a study published in journal Genome, Steven Carr, a biologist at Memorial University of Newfoundland, finds genetic continuity between Beothuk and modern persons, and says delayed research into possible Mi'kmaq-Beothuk overlap may fill gaps in our knowledge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-05-0523 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 135: Moon Watching with our AncestorsThis week, Cathy LeBlanc and Dave Chapman of "Mi'kmaw Moons" describe how our people relied on the moon to guide them through the cycles of life, and the significance of the next full moon (happening on May 7 based on the Gregorian calendar), known to many Mi'kmaq as Frogs Croaking Time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-04-2823 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 133: Qalipu joins Valentine Lake Gold Mine BandwagonDue to COVID-19, Qualipu council has been conducting meetings without members. Regardless, the band has continued its discussions with developers about the Valentine Lake gold mine—even though the environmental impact assessment has yet to be completed. This week, financial analyst John Sclodnick explains why the Valentine Gold Project is the darling of Canadian investors. A message to our listeners: the Mi'kmaq Matters team hopes you are all staying safe during this difficult time. Now, more than ever, we thank you for supporting independent Mi'kmaq journalism. Stay safe, and take care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
2020-04-1420 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 132: Alarm Over Moderate Livelihood Fishery TalksWith little involvement from Mi'kmaq fishers, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs appear on the verge of signing a deal that may undermine treaty rights. Cory Francis, who has worked on fisheries policy for Indigenous organizations, calls for a re-think and more transparency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-03-1728 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 129: Mi'kmaq's Hereditary System and Support for Wet'suwe'tenGary Metallic Sr., a member of the Listuguj First Nation band council and the hereditary tribal council, talks about the community's rail blockade in support of Wet'suwet'en, and the need to look beyond colonial structures toward Indigenous leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-02-2520 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 128: What do We Want in the Next Regional Chief?The Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia is relatively unique role in the Assembly of First Nations: She or he will serve one nation, the Mi'kmaq. This week, we ask Cheryl Maloney—whose complaints of harassment, along with others, led to the ousting of former Regional Chief Morley Googoo—about the job, future challenges, and whether she's interested in applying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-02-0423 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 126: Delay of Moderate Livelihood Means Mi'kmaq SufferSeki Bernard Sr. of Eskasoni is the latest fisherman to have his boat sabotaged in the power vacuum created by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' failure to implement the 20-year-old Supreme Court decision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-01-2119 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 124: Unlocking the Beothuk-Mi'kmaq MysteryOral history suggests a connection between ancient Beothuk and Mi'kmaq—so far there is no scientific proof, but that could change with the results of a genetic study commissioned by Miawpukwek First Nation. This week, we speak with Steve Carr of Terra Nova Genomics Inc. who was hired by Miawpukwek to do that very research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-01-0725 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 123: MFNAN Closes the Door on a Difficult YearAs the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland gathers for its annual meeting, members will be lamenting the Abbott case but revving up for an appeal. They'll also be planning another crack at becoming the Newfoundland affiliate in the national organization, which represents non-status Indigenous people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-12-1718 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 121: The Charges Against Joel DennyNote: this episode deals with topics of sexual assault that may be triggering to some listeners. Please listen with care. We speak to Elizabeth Marshall about the reaction in Eskasoni to the 25 sex-related charges against Joel Denny, a prominent member of the community known for his work in Mi'kmaq language development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-12-0418 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 120: The Fight Against Alton GasLawyer Michael McDonald speaks about the land, the treaty and the river at the heart of the struggle to protect the waters of the Shubenacadie that are part of traditional Mi'kmaq life in central Nova Scotia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-11-1923 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 116: Toward a More Transparent Search for New Regional ChiefChief PJ Prosper of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs hopes there will be a better process for choosing Morley Googoo's replacement. And later in the show, we check-in with Cheryl Maloney about going public with her harassment and bullying complaint against Googoo, and how she feels now that he has been removed from office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-10-2221 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 114: Mi'kmaq BurialsUpon her death, Corner Brook resident Dee Dee Starling wants to be buried in a section of Mount Patricia cemetery reserved for Mi'kmaq people. In recent weeks, talks have started between Qalipu First Nation and the cemetery to make that a reality. This week, we hear from Starling and Lloyd Walters, chair of the Mount Patricia board of directors, about what it will take to honour Mi'kmaq wishes to be buried in a traditional way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-10-0716 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 110: Lawyer vs Nova Scotia PremierDid he or didn't he? A lawyer says he received the go-ahead from his government client to argue that Mi'kmaq are conquered people. Columnist Jim Vibert says if documents prove that the lawyer is right, there will be major political fallout for Premier Stephen McNeil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-08-1317 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 108: Taking Aquaculture to CourtLawsuit challenges have permitted Stephenville's controversial Indian Head Hatchery to expand without environmental assessments of the risks of introducing farmed salmon into marine waters. In other news, we're happy to be adding Miawpukek First Nations Radio to our list of radio partners. You can now listen to new episodes of Mi'kmaq Matters every Thursday at 1 p.m. on MFN Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-07-2313 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 107: What It Means to Be Mi'kmaqSome reflections after the Miawpukek Powwow in Conne River. While the climate is in crisis, band councils are cozying up to resource companies. Now, ordinary Mi'kmaq are left to protect the lands and water that connect us to our ancestors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-07-1612 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 105: Preparing for the Valentine Lake Environmental AssessmentParticipant funding for the Valentine Lake environmental assessment will be announced soon, and Jamie Kneen from MiningWatch Canada says groups planning to intervene on the gold mine development on traditional Mi'kmaq land need to start lining up experts and to back them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-07-0219 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 102: Newfoundland Mi'kmaq Bands MIA When it Comes to Gold MineWhile First Nations in New Brunswick threaten to protest over lack of consultation on resource issues, two Mi'kmaq bands in Newfoundland remain silent as plans unfold for a massive gold mine on traditional Mi'kmaq territory and caribou habitat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-06-1016 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 101: A Podcast About Mi'kmaq People, Politics, Land, and WaterA reflection on the past 100 episodes, and a discussion of our plan going forward. Over the past three years, our small, two-person team has been covering the issues of concern to Mi’kmaq people in so-called Newfoundland and beyond. Time after time, we’ve been the first—and, too often, the only—to report on Mi’kmaq-focused stories.Mi’kmaq Matters promises to be there for you in the future just as we have been in the past. We’ve reached 100 episodes without any financial help, but we now need your support in order to expand our coverage and to continue to im...
2019-06-0422 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 100: Marathon Gold Corporation Responds to Mining ConcernsCEO Phil Walford and Director of Environment and Stakeholder Engagement Jamie Powell answer questions about timelines, risks posed by the mining process, and whether Marathon Gold Corps has any duty to consult Mi'kmaq people on whose traditional territory the development would take place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-05-2029 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 99: Mining Mi'kmaq LandWithout having consulted the Mi'kmaq people who have used the lands over centuries, a mammoth gold mine is being developed in the Valentine Lake area of central Newfoundland. Jamie Kneen, the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada, discusses the potential environmental risks the development could have on the surrounding ecosystems. Of particular concern is the potential impact to the watershed of central and northeastern Newfoundland due to the use of an ore processing technique called "heap leaching"—a low-cost but controversial process because of its role in mine accidents elsewhere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
2019-05-1418 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 97: Peace and the Atlantic Policy CongressThe vote to admit Qalipu into Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) passed by a vote of fourteen in favour and two opposed.As other chiefs in the region begin to regain confidence at end of the enrolment process, does joining the APC mean a chance for Qalipu to make peace with other Mi'kmaq communities? We hear about the vote and the next chapter in the Qalipu-Mi'kmaq relationship from the congress's executive director, John Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-04-2920 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 93: Can a Band Alliance Fill Qalipu Void? Plus: Brake Case Back in CourtJerry Brake's lawyer, David Rosenfeld, tells us about the latest move to launch a class action lawsuit against the enrolment process. And later, we hear from Greg Janes, chief of the Burgeo Band of Indians, on a new alliance between Mi'kmaq bands that's trying to reach deeper into communities than Qalipu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-03-1124 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 92: Bringing Mi'kmaq Bands Back to LifeThis week, a preview of a newly formed alliance of Newfoundland bands which have been mostly dormant since Qalipu's creation. And later, a debrief with Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland Chief Dave Wells on the Abbott case and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-03-0415 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 91: The Points System and Yellow Vests CanadaThe fate of 10,000 people who lost their status rests on the Abbott case decision. Jaimie Lickers, lawyer for the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland, tells us what to expect in federal court this week. Later in the show, we take a look at Yellow Vests Canada, a group that includes Indigenous people while promoting anti-Indigenous racism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-02-2523 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 90: Wilson-Raybould Affair Puts AFN National Chief in a Tough SpotThis week, Russ Diabo, policy analyst and publisher of the First Nations Strategic Bulletin, joins us to discuss the Jody Wilson-Raybould affair. He says that Perry Bellegarde, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), seems to have a different opinion than most Indigenous communities regarding the Wilson-Raybould resignation. And later, Dave Wells discusses how the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland (MFNAN) could become a non-status band. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-02-1821 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 89: Are Beothuk Really Extinct?It's too soon to say whether Beothuk are really extinct, says Chief Misel Joe, and DNA research is still needed to show if there's a Mi'kmaq connection. Later in the show, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band’s cultural resource co-ordinator, Nicole Travers, tells us about an ongoing project to expand an interactive map that centres traditional Mi'kmaq language with collected stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-02-1115 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 83: A Tale of Two Moose CullsIn Gros Morne, there is no official Mi'kmaq involvement in terms of moose harvest. Across the water in Unima'ki (Cape Breton), though, Mi'kmaq people carry out the harvest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in our traditional way and distribute the meat across the province. Clifford Paul of the Unima'ki Institute of Natural Resources tells us about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-12-1019 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 82: Building a Government for the Mi'kmaq NationHow to define a Mi'kmaq nation and how does Qalipu fit in? This week: reflections on the self-government summit from Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Roger Augustine and Qalipu councillor Brian Dicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-12-0425 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 79: Getting Past the Drew DecisionThis week, we speak with Chief Misel Joe and historian William Wicken about how Qalipu members can gain hunting and fishing rights. This requires getting around the Drew decision, which found that ancestors of the Mi'kmaq in Miawpukek arrived on the south coast with the Europeans. According to the government, this means Qalipu members have no Aboriginal or treaty rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-11-0523 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 73: Candidates Hit the Campaign TrailThis week, we take a look at the candidates for the 2018 Qalipu election. With three members of the extended White family of Flat Bay in the running, only two of the other candidates are women.And later in the show, the Assembly of First Nation's Regional Chief Morley Googoo talks to us about repairing Qalipu relationship with other Mi'kmaq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-09-1716 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 70: Taking the Point System to CourtThe Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland (MFNAN) expects to be in court early in the new year with the Abbott case, thanks to some free legal services and the support of wealthy, but anonymous, donors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-08-1318 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 65: One Struggle, Two Legal CasesWhether the Benoit and Abbott cases go ahead may be determined by money, and if the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland can find enough of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-07-0229 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 56: Why is Corner Brook So Uneasy About Its Mi'kmaq Heritage?Mayor Jim Parsons says Corner Brook is a conservative place, and acceptance of its Mi'kmaq history will come with time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-04-0919 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 47: Protest on Parliament Hill and the Toppling of a War CriminalThis week, Jim Duhart talks about organizing the upcoming demonstration on Parliament Hill to protest the enrolment process, and Elder Daniel Paul discusses why he thinks it took Halifax so long to remove the statue of an anti-Mi'kmaq war criminal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-02-0512 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 46: Status and Non-Status Find a Home in Revived BandHayward Young says the revived Indian Head band will welcome Mi'kmaq people with and without cards in the hopes of creating a sense of belonging not found in the ward system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2018-01-2916 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 41: Mi'kmaq in Burgeo Push for Own BandMi'kmaq in Burgeo say they will stay part of Qalipu, but would have their own band list that includes status and non-status members Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-12-0424 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 40: Mi'kmaq Matters Live (Special Broadcast)Identity, inclusion, and bridging divides: Qalipu councillor Frank Skeard, former Corner Brook mayor Charles Pender, and former president of Newfoundland Aboriginal Women 's Network Suzanne Berry, debate future of Mi'kmaq community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-11-2057 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 39: From Benoit's Cove to APTN's Atlantic BureauIn an Indigenous nation where Newfoundland Mi'kmaq have not been fully accepted, Justin Brake's new job as APTN's Atlantic correspondent has political significance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-11-1317 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 37: Legal Tussle in the Mi'kmaq CampA class action lawyer is demanding to be heard at the same time as Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland, but the MFNAN says no way and both the feds and the FNI agree with its decision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-10-3019 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 36: Does Beothuk Blood Flow Throw Mi'kmaq Veins?As Chief Mi'sel Joe calls for further research into possible links to Mi'kmaq, DNA studies show the Beothuk were a distinct Indigenous group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-10-2315 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 34: New Stephenville Mayor Wants to Bridge Qalipu DivideTom Rose hopes to act as a bridge between the band and the alienated Bay St. George Mi'kmaq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-10-0915 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 32: Development Threatens Sacred Mi'kmaq Burial GroundBenjamin Hynes says his ancestors are buried in Brakes Cove in Corner Brook. Martha Drake, provincial archeologist for Newfoundland and Labrador, warns that development that disturbs the cemetery will not be approved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-09-2522 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 31: Using Mi'kmaq Traditions to Combat AddictionAs signs point to ever more acute addictions issues in Mi'kmaq communities in Newfoundland, service providers look to combine Aboriginal culture with conventional counselling for better healing outcomes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-09-1829 minMi'kmaq MattersSpotlight: Daniel Paul on the Mi'kmaq FlagAn excerpt from episode 27 where historian Daniel Paul explains why we need a new Mi'kmaq flag. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-08-0904 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 27: A New Friendship Centre and The Old Mi'kmaq FlagOur guests this week include Patrick Park-Tighe, the executive director of the newly established People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre in Bay St. George, and, later, historian Daniel Paul who explains why Mi'kmaq should ditch the Grand Council flag. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-08-0619 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 25: Mi'kmaq Lawsuits and PetroglyphsLawyer David Rosenfeld discusses a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of applicants denied Qalipu status, and artist Marcus Gosse shares his passion for ancient rock engravings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-07-2721 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 24: Mi'kmaq Flag FlopThe Mi'kmaq Grand Council flag flies in front of Qalipu headquarters, even though keptin John Cremo says it has no place there as long as the band is not part of council. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-07-1014 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 21: Mi'sel Joe on traditional Mi'kmaq life in summerMi'sel Joe, chief of Miawpukek First Nation, says that any time Mik'maq ancestors and their extended family could come together and eat was a cause for celebration, regardless of the time of year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-06-1913 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 20: Gros Morne AllegianceMichael R. Denny, singer and keeper of Mi'kmaq tradition, explains why he intends to make the journey to Cow Head to participate in the controversial Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-05-2924 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 18: The Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural FestivalSherry Dean, chair of the Qalipu Cultural Foundation, describes how the Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival taking place August 4 to 6 came to be, and the importance of culture in building the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. Remember to sign the e-petition calling for the Government of Canada to acknowledge and rectify the enrolment process. You can find it here: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1027 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-05-0820 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 17: Reconciliation and the AFNMorley Googoo, AFN regional chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, discusses reconciliation between the Qalipu and other Mi'kmaq, and why the Qalipu should join the AFN.You can find the Qalipu Enrolment E-petition here: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1027 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-04-2416 minMi'kmaq MattersEpisode 16: Elder Calvin White and the Mi'kmaq CrisisElder Calvin White on his honorary degree, struggles past, present and future and his cousin, former chief Brendan Sheppard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-04-1722 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 15: Next StepsWe interview Jaimie Lickers, lawyer for the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland, on next steps in the legal action to be filed in the Federal Court of Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-04-1018 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 14: Medicine DreamsWe interview Mi'kmaq musician Paul Pike about building an inclusive Mi'kmaq culture to get us to a better place, beyond enrolment bitterness and division. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-04-0316 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 13: Alone TogetherWe interview Mi'sel Joe, Chief of the Miawpukek First Nation, about Qalipu enrolment, the hostility of some other Mi'kmaq leaders toward us, and what it means to be Mi'kmaq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-03-2719 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 8: The LettersJaimie Lickers, lawyer for the Mi'kmaq First Nation Assembly of Newfoundland, reviews the enrolment letters and talks next steps in the litigation process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-02-0818 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 5: Qalipu Enrolment Part 3 (Litigation)We interview lawyer Jaimie Lickers who's getting ready to launch legal action on behalf of the Mi'kmaq First Nation Assembly of Newfoundland as soon as the rejection letters begin to arrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-01-1722 min
Mi'kmaq MattersEpisode 3: Qalipu EnrolmentAn interview with Dave Wells, chair of the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland, on the coming legal and political storm regarding Qalipu enrolment due to hit in January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2016-12-2116 min