NBAPC held meeting throughout the province to collect the views and concerns of our members regarding the creation of a Treaty Commission. The following is a list of their concerns:

  • We must first have a vision for where we want to be in the future before we move forward on any Treaty Commission(s).
  • We want the Treaty Commission to benefit our needs and goals.
  • We want to take the lead role or initiative to design and structure any possible Treaty Commission
  • The Treaty Commission must be a neutral body, otherwise the integrity of the Commission and work outcomes will be compromised, making implementation less possible.
  • Our Treaty Commission(s) must reflect the uniqueness of our territory and the Maritimes at large.
  • The Treaty Commission must also reflect the uniqueness our Aboriginal Nations.
  • Will the Treaty Commission be mandated to deal with the land question or will its only mandate be to deal facilitate issues related to Treaties?
  • The Treaty Commission must accept participation/representation for off reserve concerns/issues.
  • The Treaty Commission should have a mandate to arbitrate disputes.
  • Off-Reserve Aboriginals want a Treaty Commission to hold compensation money in Trust.
  • Many Off-Reserve Aboriginals do not receive On-reserve benefits, would the Commission be mandated to investigate grievances of Off-Reserve Aboriginals.
  • Is there potential for Nation based negotiation, Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy, or will current organizational structures (MAWIW, UNBI, NBAPC) negotiate?
  • Will Federal governments fiduciary responsibility, continue after new Treaty arrangement/agreement?
  • What are the benefits to negotiation as opposed to litigation. What are the cost of negotiation and do they out weigh court costs?
  • What involvement will the non-aboriginal public have? Should they be involved?
  • We want the UN to be involved in this process because of conflict of interest by the Federal and Provincial crown.
  • We want the UN to monitor the Process, this is the only way we can be sure of a fair negotiation process.
  • Treaty Commission should be mandated for funding the process, education, facilitation, arbitration, as will as a Trustee of compensation money.