Members of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly) listened intently to the discussions of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) Council on the Cornwallis statue that currently stands in the HRM.

“Today we heard the voices of leaders who genuinely want to make efforts for reconciliation with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia,” said Chief Terrance Paul, Co-Chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs. “We are pleased with today’s decision and hope that this will re-open doors for real Nation-to-Nation discussions and for next steps to continue right away.”

The HRM Council voted to remove the Cornwallis statue and to move forward with discussions with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia on how our diverse history, both of the Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq, is celebrated and commemorated here in Nova Scotia.

“These important conversations have just begun,” continued Chief Paul. “We’ve had a long road to bring us to where we are today, from the signing of our Peace and Friendship Treaties centuries ago, to today’s discussions of the HRM. We have a unique history in Nova Scotia, and we look forward to how we can tell that story, together, with our Treaty partners.”

“Mayor Savage and his Council have demonstrated great leadership in this vote. The rest of Canada can learn something of what true leadership and courage is from Mayor Savage and his Council,” stated Chief Rod Googoo, Lead Chief of Lands for the A ...