“I think what we have here is a really good example of both parties coming together, negotiating, communicating, working together and what we have is an end result that all parties are pleased with,’’ says Francis.
Under the agreement, the P.E.I. government will invest $2.2 million to assist in the construction of a $3.6 million facility along the Charlottetown waterfront to house Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. office space, retail space for Mi’kmaq arts and crafts, a cultural space and learning centre, an urban Indigenous centre, and expanded and enhanced social programming and services for the off-reserve community.
Related: Charlottetown council to hold public meeting on Mi'kmaq proposal
P.E.I.’s Mi’kmaq people have the right to consultation and accommodation, or some kind of compensation, on all P.E.I. Crown land transactions.
Chief Matilda Ramjattan of Lennox Island First Nation says the agreement is a symbol of respect and self-determination that resulted from negotiations held in good faith.
“This process is also a stepping stone towards reconciliation,’’ she says.
“Part of any agreement, there has to be some trust built. As far as government and First Nation, that hasn’t always been a positive thing but we are heading in the right direction.’’
Premier Wade MacLauchlan says his government aims for a spirit of partnership and reconciliation when negotiating with the two First Nations on P.E.I.
“It helps to spend time together and on this one I’ve spent a lot of time directly with the chiefs…and that has been an important contributor to reaching the historic agreement that we’ve reached today,’’ he says.
Related: Native Council of P.E.I. upset with Mi’kmaq building proposal
The province’s controversial Mill River Resort deal is in stark contrast to the Charlottetown waterfront agreement.
P.E.I.’s Mi’kmaq chiefs and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. filed for an interim injunction against the new owner of the Mill River Resort. The chiefs and the confederacy claim they were not properly consulted on the deal, as required by law, and filed for a judicial review of the sale of Mill River to McDougall in February.
Ramjattan says there is always room for improvement in dealings between the province and First Nations.
“There’s going to be difference of opinion as we go forward whether it be Founders Hall or Mill River or whatever,’’ she says.
“It’s a matter of us exerting our rights in terms of getting our accommodation…I am hopeful that we are going to be able to continue to have good relations.’’
Related: Residents near Mi'kmaq Confederacy development voice concerns
MacLauchlan says the province is pleased to continue to work in a co-operative manner to advance the interests of First Nations Islanders in a “positive and respectful relationship.’’
Francis says the agreement signed Wednesday is a “huge, positive announcement’’ moving forward.
He expects construction to begin soon with programs and services hopefully operating out of the new facility within one year.
He is optimistic of federal funding falling into place in addition to the $2.2 million investment from the province. MCPEI has also put money aside for the project.
“It’s a huge step forward expanding our programs and services to our off-reserve population and that was a void we had before,’’ he says.
Francis also considers the site for the building, at the corner of Hillsborough and Water Streets, to be “ideal.’’
