Closed meeting between NB chiefs and Minister of Energy cut short
The Assembly of First Nations Chiefs of New Brunswick called the police to prevent First Nations people from entering the conference room, while meeting with Minister of Energy Craig Leonard earlier today at a hotel in downtown Fredericton.
Three natives from St. Mary’s First Nation said they wanted to remain in the room to observe and listen to what the minister and the Assembly said.
While police were on their way, Leonard and the ministry’s staff left the meeting, because Leonard didn’t want anyone to be arrested. Shortly after, two police officers arrived at the hotel. The whole incident was peaceful.
The meeting was scheduled at the second day of the chief’s assembly, which coincides with the country-wide discussion about First Nations treaties, and the province-wide discussion about energy projects, including shale gas exploration and an oil pipeline which will transfer oil from the West.
The energy minister attended to meet with the chiefs and present the government plans, before scheduling a series of visits to each community.
At this stage, the chiefs are collecting information about resource development in the province.
St. Mary’s First Nation chief Candice Paul was the only of fifteen chiefs who refused to go inside the meeting, if observers were not allowed.
“I don’t want to stay, if the meeting is not open to grassroots people,” Paul said, while waiting outside, “We need open and transparent meetings.”
On behalf of the Assembly, it was clarified that St. Mary’s First Nation had decided not to join as a member of the Assembly.
The Assembly currently represents fourteen out of fifteen communities in New Brunswick, but Paul was allowed to participate as an observer. The meeting was at the time in-camera.
Also, underway are the new tripartite agreements for the framework of cooperation between First Nations, the provincial government and the federal government, which chiefs have not signed, yet at least. These agreements touch on aboriginal treaty rights and self-government and are carefully considered by First Nations in New Brunswick.
The Premier David Alward has expressed interest in meeting with the chiefs, possibly even tomorrow.
The Assembly meeting is ongoing.
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here we are fighting for our right and first nations cheifs are doing this behind our back shame on u guys,
Thankfully the NB Beacon reported on this important event. Thank you, may we see more coverage on these important meetings with the Province of New Brunswick.
Hopefully our Chief’s will brief their community members?
throw out the AFN and throw out the Band councils. Its time we go back to the Old Traditional Councils that have led our Nations for hundreds of Generations before Europeans came here.
The only real Chief is one that is a Servant of the People.
St. Mary’s Chief Candice Paul is an Ogima truly worthy of respect because she clearly stands behind the First Nations people.
way to go Candace Paul!
What are people to think if the general populations of the First Nations are not “allowed” into meetings such as this?? What is the big secret? What are they trying to hide? I think this is a terrible way for our “leaders”, our own elected chief’s, to treat their people. This raises more questions, and they should keep in mind as well that they are here to serve US, not the other way around. They are elected by the people…..and there is always another election around the corner.
they could have observed and Chief Candice could have went in to observe and then come out to let everyone know what happened inside….think this was blown way out of proportion….don’t get me wrong I am proud of everyone of my people….but the meeting was just an information session nothing was being brought to the table to be signed.!!
Chief Paul deserves our respect in breaking ranks with her colleague indian act Chiefs in holding behind closed meetings with canada and the Provinces where our inherent rights are involved, her support of our Grassroots inclusion in these critical talks will hopefully serve as a wakeup call to the other chiefs that without transparency and inclusion of our Grassroots people in these talks, they are meaningless and will be seen as selfserving to the Chiefs only.
Awesome for Chief Candice… grassroot people at all stages on information sharing, especially at information sessions with Chiefs….Chiefs must understand its the grassroots people who own title to the land and Rights belong to the people not the Indian Act elected….knolwedge is power….ignorance is bliss…