Native Council upset it wasn't consulted about Mi'kmaq Confederacy building

The Native Council of PEI wants to know why the group was not consultedregarding building plans and potential duplication of services on the proposed Mi'kmaq Confederacy building.

The council describes itself as aself-governing authority for all off-reserve Aboriginal people living on P.E.I.

Lisa Cooper, president and Chief of the Native Council, says instead of putting $2 to $3 million into a new building, there's an opportunity for collaboration on programs and services formembers who live off the reserve.

"We've been doing this for 40 years, we're wellsituated, our programs are well established, we have a community of well over 500 members," said Cooper.

Want a 'true Friendship Centre'

Cooper is also concerned that the proposed buildingwould serve only certain members of the Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations off-reserve members, which she says only makes up a fraction of the Island's Aboriginal community.

"A true Friendship Centre is, number one, not connected to a political entity, which we [the Native Council of P.E.I. and the Mi'kmaq Confederacy]both are, and number two, services all Aboriginal people, not specifically Mi'kmaq from Lennox or Abegweit," she said.

Cooper says she feels the duty to consult, as laid out by the Supreme Court of Canada, was not utilized in this case, and sets a bad example for any group, person or business making decisions that could impact the Aboriginal rights of Mi'kmaq people on P.E.I.

Consultation coming

TheMi'kmaqConfederacy released twostatements in response.

"Based on the comments of the president of the Native Council, they clearly don't understand the difference between Crown consultation and community engagement which is a matter of good governance," writes Chief Brian Francis.

"That muddies the waters and takes away from what a positive project this has the potential to be."

Don MacKenzie, executive director of the Mi'kmaq Confederacy and also quoted in astatement,says the needs of Mi'kmaq living off-reserve are currently not being met, and Mi'kmaqgovernments "intend to step up and do what is necessary for their off-reserve members."

Francis added thatit is not incumbent upon the Island's Mi'kmaq governments to consult "with advocacy groups such as the Native Council."

"All members of both First Nations including those living on and off-reserve will have an opportunity to comment and have input into this project," saidFrancis.

"We encourage those members, including those involved with the Native Council of PEI, to take part in those meetings."

Waiting on decision

The Mi'kmaq Confederacy is awaiting a decision on a rezoning application that would allow a car rental agency to be part of the proposed building.

A decision on that request will come at the next Charlottetown city council meeting, scheduled for Aug. 8.

The Mi'kmaq Confederacy has said that if the application is denied, it's likely the plans will still go ahead.