The following statement was issued today by the Six Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick:

“The leadership of the Wolastoqey Nation has been aware of the map that was released publicly today and of the eight Mi’gmaq communities’ intention to assert title to lands and waters in portions of New Brunswick.

As was noted in today’s release from Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc, the overlap between the title asserted by MTI and the title claimed by the Wolastoqey Nation has been the topic of discussions between the respective leadership groups and we are working towards a Wampum Agreement regarding the overlap area with our neighbours.

These discussions, like our collaboration on many matters, have been open, friendly and productive.

There are important common themes between the assertion of title announced today, and the Statement of Claim filed in court in November of 2021 by the six New Brunswick Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation.

These include compensation from the Crown for the loss of traditional lands given to private interests for free or at a discounted rate; the assurance to the general public that we are not looking to take their properties; the importance of confirming Aboriginal title to our traditional Indigenous territories; and the ability for our respective nations to exercise our rights to the land we have lived upon for time immemorial.

We wish to amplify today’s call from the Mi’gmaq chiefs: It’s time for the Government of New Brunswick to see the importance of negotiating recognition and implementation of Indigenous title.”