by Crystal Dorey Director of Communications Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn/Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs

On February 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled on the constitutionality of Bill C-92, the Act Respecting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Children, Youth and Families (the Act).

Indigenous people across Turtle Island have been greeting this decision with overwhelming cheers and tears of happiness.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) join that celebration, as they have been developing a process to make positive long-term changes for their children, families and communities’ overall health and well-being, under the Maw-Kleyu’kik Knijannaq Initiative.

“We have always asserted that the inherent right to make decisions regarding our children and families must be with Indigenous people,” said Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley, Co-Chair of the Assembly. “The decision from the Supreme Court is bittersweet for the Mi’kmaq. This ruling comes after years of colonizing policies that were detrimental to our culture, languages, family structures and community spirit.”

The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia have been in a process to develop a Mi’kmaw customary law, as a Section 35 Constitutional right, long before the Act was implemented, or this decision was issued by the SCC. This customary law will support the reclamation of jurisdiction and asserts Mi’kmaw authority over the well-being of the children and families in their communities.

“Building a path forward for our children and families was always our right ...