In 1994 the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) informed all representative organizations of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet in New Brunswick that only one comprehensive claim would be considered for acceptance by the federal government, and that it must include both on and off-reserve as well as status and non-status participants. Accordingly, the Union of New Brunswick Indians and the NBAPC were recognized by Canada as parties to the claim, and funded to complete relevant claims research materials.
In 1994 the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) informed all representative organizations of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet in New Brunswick that only one comprehensive claim would be considered for acceptance by the federal government, and that it must include both on and off-reserve as well as status and non-status participants. Accordingly, the Union of New Brunswick Indians and the NBAPC were recognized by Canada as parties to the claim, and funded to complete relevant claims research materials.
In 1996 the federal Minister of Indian Affairs (Hon. Ron Irwin) informed the leadership of NBAPC and UNBI that he would require cooperation between us if he were to consider funding the completion of land claims research or if he were to offer to start comprehensive land claim and self-government talks.
“The claim has now reached the stage where a co-ordinated effort is required on the part of all parties to the claim, namely the MAWIW Council, the UNBI and NBAPC….In order for the claim to proceed, my department now requires confirmation in writing that the MAWIW Council is prepared to work in a co-ordinated effort with UNBI and NBAPC...”
Minister Irwin formally and explicitly acknowledged NBAPC along with UNBI and MAWIW as a full party to a joint Comprehensive Land Claim for Mi’kmaq and Maliseet in New Brunswick. As a result, NBAPC, UNBI and the newly formed MAWIW signed a Political Accord affirming that we would jointly research and negotiate any land claim. This Accord commits us to work together and in cooperation to negotiate any comprehensive settlement of our outstanding Aboriginal rights and titles.
In February 2001, Canada appointed Mr. Thomas Molloy, Chief Federal Negotiator in relation to finding “long-term” solutions to the issues surrounding Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in the Maritimes. As part of that mandate preliminary discussions must be conducted with interested parties here in the Province of New Brunswick. These discussions will be focus on designing a process whereby Aboriginal and Treaty Rights can be implemented.