Mi'kmaq group working to turn former RCI site into reserve land

Several New Brunswick Mi'kmaq communities areworking to make a 90-hectare site near Sackville part of the Fort Folly First Nation reserve.

The site is the former home ofRadio Canada International's short-wave transmission site, but before that it was important land to Mi'kmaqpeople across the region.

Tracy Anne Cloud,director of trilateral negotiations withMi'gmawe'lTplu'taqnnsaid the area is the only land bridge for moose to pass between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and is a place where plants important to Mi'kmaqpeople grow.

The transmissionsite was put up for sale in 2012, but without a buyer, the towers that lit the marsh sky for 67 years were taken down. In 2017 the land was purchased byMi'gmawe'lTplu'taqnn, a group of New BrunswickMi'kmaqFirst Nations with plans to create an economic generator for the non-profit group.

The project is being led by Chief RebeccaKnockwoodof Fort Folly First Nations, aMi'kmaqband nearDorchester, and a member ofMi'gmawe'lTplu'taqnn.

Cloud said the group is still deciding how it will develop the land, but an important step in the process is converting the area to reserve land.

"That certainly is one area where we've identified as a key and major interest is to increase the land base, and whether it be for economic or cultural purposes we need land."

Cloud said without it, "we can't exercise ourtreaty rights and without our rights and without our cultureto practise, we aren't who we are."

According to Cloud, the group is working on theaddition to reserve process.

"As part as that process, lead by Indigenous Services Canada, one of the requirements is tocontact local municipalities, the provincialgovernment, RCMP and the other indigenous communities in the provinces."

Jamie Burke, director of corporate affairs with the town ofSackvilleconfirmeda request for comments on the proposal wasreceived. Thetown's mayor, JohnHighamwrote a response on Dec. 14, 2018.

He wrote that it is difficult to comment on any strengthsor challenges that might come with the proposal, because there are fewdetails known aboutthe group's plans forthe land.

But Highamadded, "we do look forward to working with Fort Folly within a 'good neighbour' approach, where mutual good will, good faith, and reasonableness can shape our future and frame our cooperation on shared obligations and goals."

In the letter Higham asked that communications continue and offered advice and assistance, "whatever the proposal include."

Cloud said having the land added toFort Folly First Nation is expected to take about two years. By that time, she said chiefs from the bands that make upMi'gmawe'lTplu'taqnnshould have a better idea of what they intend to put on the site.