by Crystal Dorey Communication Manager Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) has long been concerned with the potential sale of lands at Owl’s Head Provincial Park, a 267.62 ha parcel of Crown land located near Little Harbour and Clam Harbour, Halifax County. The lands were to be sold for use as a golf course to Lighthouse Links, however, on November 23, 2021, the company issued a statement withdrawing from the 2019 Letter of Offer from the Province, effectively ending the proposed project at Owl’s Head. The Assembly has always had very serious concerns about potential impacts to Mi’kmaw archaeological heritage and our Mi’kmaw and Aboriginal Rights at Owl’s Head, where there are already six known and recorded Mi’kmaw archaeological sites. “The Assembly has maintained opposition to the proposed sale and development of this land,” said Chief Leroy Denny, Lead of Lands and Parks for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. “While we are relieved to hear that the project is no longer going through, we still want an archaeological investigation done at the Park before any other discussions or decisions are made about the future of Owl’s Head.” When the Assembly expressed their wishes to formally consult on the proposed sale of Crown land under the Terms of Reference for a Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Consultation Process, in January 2020, there was an expectation of extensive consultation on multiple issues that are concerning to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia.

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