L'nuey

🙏 Wela'lioq - thank you to all who joined us for the Pituamkek Community Information Session in Lennox Island yesterday! We had a great turnout at this opportunity to learn more about the co-governance and co-management of the newly established Pituamkek National Park Reserve. 👥 Your participation, insights, and thoughtful questions help to shape the future of this culturally and ecologically significant area. Together, through collaboration between the Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq, L'nuey, and Parks Canada, we are building a shared vision to protect and celebrate Pituamkek for generations to come. 💚 Wela’lin to the Lennox Island Natural Resources Department for organizing the session — and to everyone who helped make the event meaningful. ✨ This is just the beginning, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with the communities as we move forward in this important work! #Pituamkek #CommunityEngagement #CoManagement #LennoxIsland #Mi'kmaq #Lnuey #ParksCanada

🌱 Siwkewiku's - March 🌱 🗣 (see-uke-ay-we-goos) 🌕 Siwkewiku's means spring time moon in Mi'kmaq (look for the full spring time moon between March 4 - April 5), which is known as March in English. Siwkewiku's is also known as maple sugar time, as the running of the maple sap heralds the spring rebirth. Language is an integral part of Mi'kmaq identity, culture and history - and language revitalization is an important part of our present, and future. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ePvPsDtg #LnuProud #Mikmaq #Epekwitk #PEI

Hog Island Specific Claim: Following a multi-year process involving independent studies and valuation negotiations, including exchange of verbal offers and counter offers, a letter of offer was received by the Councils in February 2025. The offer has been accepted by the Councils and the process of communication and planning for a community vote will now begin. A final settlement agreement is not finalized until a successful majority community vote. The global offer of 18MIL includes negotiations funding support and ratification costs, with the total amount available for settlement of 17.5MIL. The global without prejudice offer allows for the purchase of replacement lands that can be submitted to the Additions to Reserve process should the First Nations choose to do so. A final determination as to use or distribution of the settlement has not been made, and a final agreement is subject to community ratification. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e8QDQSwS

🌿 Pituamkek and Toquktmekl: Protecting PEI’s Lands and Heritage 🌿 Two exciting agreements were signed this year between the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow (the Mi’kmaq Nation Government of Epekwitk/PEI) and Parks Canada: 1: Pituamkek (Bee-doo-um-gek) National Park Reserve Establishment Agreement. Establishing a new National Park Reserve and preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the Pituamkek area. 2: Toquktmekl (Doh-gook-t-may-gul), the co-management agreement for the existing PEI National Park and Parks Canada-administered National Historic Sites on Epekwitk. A partnership ensuring shared stewardship of the existing PEI National Park and Parks Canada-administered places on PEI moving forward. These agreements ensure that the Mi’kmaq have a seat at the governance table in managing Parks Canada-administered lands in Epekwitk (PEI). 👀 Stay tuned to learn more about what co-management means and how you can apply to be a member of the co-management board for either Pituamkek National Park Reserve or the existing PEI National Park and Parks Canada-administered sites. #Comanagement #Mikmaq #ParksCanada

Hog Island Specific Claim: Hog Island (comprised of George Island, George’s Sand Island, Fish Island, and Bill Hook Island) was purchased by Canada in 1942 with a view to it being added to Lennox Island Indian Reserve No. 1 but was never given reserve status. The Hog Island Specific Claim concerns the failure by Canada to add Hog Island to the Lennox Island Band reserve assets when it was purchased for that purpose in 1942. The lands in question continue to be held by Canada. They are currently under the administration of Indigenous Services Canada and are intended, with support from the PEI First Nations, to be turned over to Parks Canada to become part of the Pituamkek National Park Reserve. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/eF_QnjhS

💡What is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA)? 💡 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) is a Canadian law that requires the federal government to align its laws with UNDRIP (the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). It affirms Indigenous rights, including self-determination, land, culture, and governance. The Act also mandates the creation of an Action Plan to ensure meaningful implementation in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples. 📢 Join us for an important UNDA Information Session! 📢 This session will explore: ✔️ What the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is ✔️ What the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan is ✔️ What changes now that the Act exists ✔️ Who will ensure the Act is being followed ✔️ How are we involved and why it is important Let’s learn and discuss! For more info, contact Kiara LaBobe at 📞 (902) 388-1007 or 📧 klabobe@lnuey.ca. #IndigenousRights #UNDA #SelfDetermination #Lnuey

The following is distributed by L’nuey on behalf of the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils For Immediate Release Charlottetown, Epekwitk/PEI – 24 February 2025 PEI Mi’kmaq Reach Historic Milestone with Proposed Settlement of Hog Island Specific Claim The Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nation Councils have accepted an offer from Canada to settle the Hog Island Specific Claim, first filed in 1996. Specific claims address historical breaches of Canada’s obligations to First Nations. In this case, the claim arose from Canada’s 1942 purchase of lands intended for the Lennox Island Band reserve — a step Canada never completed. When the Lennox Island Band divided in 1972, the claim became joint for both PEI Bands. A settlement is contingent on a successful community vote, with a date yet to be set. The proposed settlement amount is $17.5 million, representing compensation for loss of land use and potential replacement reserve lands. If ratified, this will be PEI’s first settled specific claim. "This is exciting news for the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq.” said Chief Darlene Bernard. "There is still work to do but this is an important moment. Whether it is co-management agreements over protected lands, acknowledgements of the importance of Mi’kmaw history and culture in Epekwitk or the settlement of specific claims like this, they are all steps in our reconciliation journey, and we need to celebrate them all." Chief Junior Gould added, “After almost 30 years of effort, it is gratifying to be able to bring this settlement to our communities for ratification. We see this as just the beginning – we are actively working on more specific claims through L’nuey and our Councils will continue to push for resolution of these past wrongs as well.” Media contact: Sean Doke, Communications Coordinator, L’nuey, sdoke@lnuey.ca To read the full release, visit: https://lnkd.in/eC5PExnX To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e8QDQSwS

The Mi’kmaw leadership thanks Dennis King for his years of service as Premier of PEI and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs. From the very beginning of his tenure, Premier King demonstrated a commitment to building a stronger relationship with the Mi’kmaq of Epekwitk (PEI). In his first speech from the throne in 2019 Premier King announced that the Prince Edward Island Government would be officially proclaiming October 1st as Treaty Day. This was a milestone for the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq and all Islanders, as the Treaties of Peace and Friendship are the foundation of our Treaty relationship and Mi’kmaw self-government rights. 🤝 Wela’lin Dennis, for your dedication and partnership. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

💡What is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA)? 💡 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) is a Canadian law that requires the federal government to align its laws with UNDRIP (the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). It affirms Indigenous rights, including self-determination, land, culture, and governance. The Act also mandates the creation of an Action Plan to ensure meaningful implementation in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples. 📢 Join us for an important UNDA Information Session! 📢 This session will explore: ✔️ What the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is ✔️ What the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan is ✔️ What changes now that the Act exists ✔️ Who will ensure the Act is being followed ✔️ How are we involved and why it is important Let’s learn and discuss! For more info, contact Kiara LaBobe at 📞 (902) 388-1007 or 📧 klabobe@lnuey.ca. #IndigenousRights #UNDA #SelfDetermination #Lnuey

✨ Join us as we celebrate strides we’re making to reclaim our heritage, culture, and identity. By blending tradition with innovation, we’re building a dynamic, inclusive future that doesn’t just benefit Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, but all who call Epekwitk home. Ready to win an epic prize? Then let us know: what excites you the most about our future as Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq? 👉 Let us know in the comments and be sure to enter our contest at lnuey.ca/remix We’ll pick one lucky winner to receive: ✔️ $200 grocery gift card ✔️ Hand-crafted woven basket ✔️ L’nuey hoodie 🌟 As we honour our past and embrace future possibilities, we invite you to join us on this journey.