New Brunswick’s Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey leaders have come together to raise concerns about consultations with the Blaine Higgs government.
The chiefs said they are officially putting the province on notice that they will continue efforts to protect the lands, water and resources of New Brunswick.
“This is our responsibility, and it is in the interest of all New Brunswickers,” said Fort Folly Chief Rebecca Knockwood in a news release.
The move comes after the province quietly exempted the Sussex area from the province-wide fracking moratorium earlier this year.
In June, the chiefs said they were “blindsided” by the move as the province did not consult them.
“We want to make sure the premier never has to question who he needs to consult if he plans to frack in this province,” said Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock.
“We came together to tell government they cannot cause division among our Nations and communities.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jake Stewart has said there was “nothing to talk about” until they passed regulations allowing for an exemption to the provincial moratorium.
“Now that we have the regulation in place, we will be fully engaging with First Nations because we have an honour to respect the Crown and we have a duty to consult and we’re going to be doing just that,” Stewart said in the legislature in June.
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