by Don MacKenzie, Communications, MCPEI

The Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island are appealing the Supreme Court of PEI decision in relation to the Mill River Judicial Review Application. After community engagement and a thorough review with legal counsel, the Mi’kmaq Leadership has decided to appeal the matter to the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal. The Mi’kmaq believe that the Applications judge made significant legal errors in the reasons for judgement released on June 25th. To protect the constitutionally entrenched Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous Mi’kmaq of PEI the appeal is necessary.

“We will continue to work with the Provincial Government in a cooperative partnership on many issues and we remain committed to negotiations as the best path to the recognition and implementation of our Aboriginal and treaty rights. However, we are entrusted to uphold and protect the rights of our Mi’kmaw citizens, including our assertion of Aboriginal title and holding government accountable regarding the duty to consult. On behalf of the PEI Mi’kmaq, our Band Councils must appeal what we see as a fundamentally flawed decision,” said Chief Brian Francis of the Abegweit Mi’kmaw Nation. “We understand that the road to protecting our constitutionally entrenched Mi’kmaq rights may very well be a long one, but we are committed to standing up for the Mi’kmaq of this province. We also understand that many of the most critical decisions supporting the First Nations in this country were m ...