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Intergovernmental Relations

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Intergovernmental Relations (IR) pages of the Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat (MMS) website!  We are happy you dropped by! 

IR is one of the three main units within the MMS, which is the administrative structure that works under the Leadership and mandate of the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi (MM). 

IR exists to make a link among our communities, our MM Leadership, and the governments of Canada and Québec.  Mawlugutigw in Mi'gmaq means "working together."   The IR staff provides support to the Leadership by planning and holding meetings and events where community members can discuss common concerns and then develop strategies to deal with these issues, all in the spirit of mawlugutigw.

We work closely with our community members and the Band Councils of our three MM communities ~ Gespeg, Listuguj, and Gesgapegiag.  In addition, we have an important liaison role with the MM Chiefs Executive Committee (CEC) and also with the Executive Finance Committee (EFC) that oversees all MM financial affairs.

And, we receive expert guidance from the MM Mi'gmaq Elders Committee made up of very senior members of our three communities.

One internal committee within IR is the Communications Advisory Management Committee (CAMC).  Its responsibility is to help Gespe'gewa'gi community members reach a common understanding of our Mi'gmaq Rights and Responsibilities.  The committee does this through constant communications with our people about our story, our values, our unified vision of our territory, and our collaboration with other Mi'gmaq and First Nations and others.  Thus, CAMC is involved in many ways of fostering our National aspirations for Gespe'gewa'gi.

Another IR internal committee is the Research Advisory Management Committee (RAMC).  Its duty is to coordinate and support research that we have been doing about how the Mi'gmaw have used and occupied our territory since time immemorial.  This research ~ that goes toward proving our Rights & Title to our territory ~ is now being compiled for sharing with our community members and externally.

Presently, the most important single objective of IR is to represent the Mi'gmaq of the Québec portion of our territory ~ Gespe'gewa'gi ~ in the development of a tripartite (three-way) Framework Agreement with Canada and Québec regarding our claim to our territory.  IR is making excellent headway toward meeting this goal. which will drive reconciliation between the Mi'gmaq of Gespe'gewa'gi and the two external governments. 

 

As you click on the headings below, you can read more details about the process and the Framework Agreement. 

 

To see details about our Gespe'gewa'gi claim itself, click here.
 

THE GESPE'GEWA'GI CLAIMS PROCESS

The following sections take us on a journey through the suggested steps to advance a claim.  Then, we look at the Mi'gmaq ways and processes of coming to agreement by "thinking before the decision."  Finally, we explore the current status of the claim ~ where we are today in our negotiations process and the work that is going on right now.

Below is a summary of each stop on our journey.  Click on the title to get to more details.


STEPS AND STAGES

With the signing of the Political Accord in 2000, and by way of other opportunities, the Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq and the Governments of Canada and Québec have been engaged in tripartite (three-party) talks and written discussions about the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations.

According to the Canadian Government’s Comprehensive Land Claim Policy, there are six main stages to negotiate a claim.  We acknowledge that Canada has these stages (or steps) that are to be followed. However, we are taking a uniquely Mi’gmaq approach to how we engage in the negotiations process.
 

MI’GMAQ APPROACH 

In approaching more formal discussions, our leadership has aimed to ensure that, in our Mi’gmaq way, the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations (with all associated activities and documents) maintain “a unique reflection of the Mi’gmaq worldview of Gespe’gewa’gi.”  
The processes for negotiations are outlined in a document entitled Niganita’suatas’gl Ilsutaqann (NI).  Signed by representatives of the Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq, Canada and Québec, the NI is a significant agreement signalling that the three parties have agreed to work together on the pre-negotiations of the Gespe’gewa’gi claim.
 
The parties have continued to participate in talks.  On August 26, 2009, the three parties joined together in Gespeg to commemorate the signing of the NI.  Here are press releases describing that signing, in English and in French.
 
Niganita’suatas’gl Ilsutaqann means “the thinking before the decision.” This document, including the discussions that led to its creation, established a solid foundation for negotiations based on Mi’gmaq values, beliefs, and traditions.
 
The NI called for us to establish two circles, which from our point of view are central to the negotiation process. The two circles are: Gigto’qi Niqanultijig (Circle of Leaders) and Mgnigng (Circle of Officials). 
Also, the Mi'gmaq negotiators are being assisted by several Advisory Circles made up of Gespe’gewa’gi community members. The Advisory Circles will provide expertise in areas of greatest interest to our claim. 
 
Finally, the NI calls for the establishment of side-tables that will provide opportunities to discuss specific issues in greater detail. 
 
 
The negotiations and talks among the three parties have evolved. The Pre-Framework Agreement (Stage Two) is complete. During the Pre-Framework Agreement stage, the three parties met and prepared for negotiations. As of this stage:
 
  • the NI agreement has been signed by all three parties.

                   and

Currently, the parties are working toward finalizing a Framework Agreement (FA).  Developing a Framework Agreement is part of Stage Three of the negotiations for the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process.
 
 
What work is currently in progress?  As noted above, the Third Stage of negotiations calls for developing and finalizing a Framework Agreement (FA).  A Framework Agreement identifies the areas that eventually will be negotiated in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process. 
 
The final draft of our FA was completed in July of 2011.  We are ready to ask the MM Leadership and the governments of Canada and Québec for their approvals.
 
You can read the text of the final Framework Agreement in English or in French.
 
In drafting the FA, we sought input and guidance from two Advisory Circles:
 
  • Nestuapuga’tijig Gisigu’g, already established and meeting regularly, is one advisory circle that brings together Elders from the communities,

         and

  • Mgnigng Working Group, an advisory circle comprised of resource people from the three communities of the MM who give guidance to the Mi'gmawi Mawiomi negotiating team.  

The Advisory Circles have been providing more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the claims work, in particular toward the development of the draft Framework Agreement.

 To read more about these two Advisory Circles, click here.


Finally, "side tables" are also underway.  For example, in addition to the side table on Consultation and Accommodation that already exists, a side table on Economic Development (EcD) is being planned. The EcD side table will be comprised of representatives from the three negotiating nations who have special knowledge and experience with the issues being discussed.