Backgrounder Miawpukek First Nation Self-Government Negotiations
Miawpukek First Nation (MFN) is located 224 km south of Gander and has
an on-reserve population of approximately 800 and an off-reserve population
of approximately 1,500. MFN is a Mi'kmaq community with an established
history of providing the community with a sound and accountable governing
structure, innovative community programming and solid administrative practices.
The comprehensive self-government negotiations are stand-alone (without
a land claims component) governance and jurisdictional negotiations, which
is the next logical step in ensuring that MFN has the tools and flexibility
it needs to fully engage in a government-to-government relationship with
Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, to develop the social and economic
potential of the community, and to make a significant contribution to
the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.
MFN has shown leadership in community consultation. The community is
engaged in all aspects of the self-government process, and has mandated
its leadership to be fully involved in the upcoming negotiations and to
act as a liaison between MFN membership and the negotiators. The consultation
process will be as broad and as inclusive as possible with members of
MFN living on and off reserve being given every opportunity to participate
in the consultation process as negotiations proceed.
Consultation sessions will be organized both in and outside of Conne
River to explain the process, the various stages of negotiations, and
to receive input from Miawpukek members. A MFN Self-Government Steering
Committee representing various components of the community has been established,
and will provide the main interface for community members to input into
negotiations. A negotiation team has been selected which will report to
the Self-Government Steering Committee which will in turn report to the
MFN membership at large.
December 2004
Back to News Release
Back to News Release
Index
|