LETTER TO SIPEKNEKATIK BAND MEMBERS

Date:

January 25, 2016

From:

Chief Rufus Copage

RE:

Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs/KMKNO

Dear Band Members,

The Band has been put in a position of commenting on the attempt of Kwilmukw Maw-klusuaqn
Negotiation Office (KMKNO) to speak for the Band and to misrepresent certain facts in its January 22,
2016 release. The Band chooses to not accept the status quo that the Assembly and KMKNO seem to be
content with.
In the January 22, 2016 press release, issued on Kwilmukw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
(KMKNO) letterhead, the Assembly stated that consultation began on this file in 2014 during which
time I remained an active member of the Assembly. Although I was an active member of the Assembly, I
disagree with any assertion by KMKNO that any sort of meaningful consultation with Sipeknekatik
regarding the Alton Natural Gas Project occurred or has occurred since.
KMKNO had been meeting with Alton Natural Gas as far back as 2006. My concern is that during this
time, Sipeknekatik was not formally consulted or even notified nor informed with regard to this project.
Through other sources outside KMKNO, the band did learn about the Alton Natural Gas project in 2014,
and became very concerned about the impact this would have to our environment. In 2012, KMKNO
directed Alton Natural Gas to deal directly with KMKNO, as opposed to all the Chiefs and Councils, on
this file. Furthermore, KMKNO made a commitment to communicate with the Chiefs and Councils
regarding the Alton Natural Gas project. KMKNO failed in this regard and failed to communicate with
Sipeknekatik, even while Sipeknekatik was still a member of the Made in Nova Scotia Process/Mikmaq
Rights Initiative. Overall, in our view with respect to this project, the KMKNO consultation process has
failed Sipeknekatik and our Band members
On March 5, 2013, Sipeknekatik withdrew from the Made in Nova Scotia Process/Mikmaq Rights
Initiative. Withdrawing from the Made in Nova Scotia Process/ Mikmaq Rights Initiative was due to our
concern that individual community members have no voice in the current Made in Nova Scotia/Mikmaq
Rights Initiative consultation process. There is confusion on not only how and what KMKNO is consulting
on, but what KMKNO is negotiating. A fully informed Nation collectively must ratify any agreement that
impacts rights or title.

Mikmaq citizenship has not been defined, and Sipeknekatik has concerns of impact that KMKMOs
citizenship work will have on Mikmaq people that traditionally reside throughout our territories. Our
territory is not limited to present day Nova Scotia. Conceivably, there may be people that should be at the
table, and there may be people at the table that shouldnt be in regards to negotiations and consultations.
To forge ahead without answers to these fundamental questions is irresponsible.
Sipeknekatiks decision to leave KMKNO also meant that I was removed from their board of directors.
Since this time, the Band has been representing itself on all matters regarding consultation and has
remained transparent with the Province of Nova Scotia and Canada including consistently lobbying for the
need for additional funding to adequately provide consultation services for our band members. I am proud
to say any band member can access any of our consultation files upon request.
KMKNO states that the Assembly has passed resolutions and has had ongoing discussions. What KMKNO
failed to state is that I was not regularly notified of Assembly meetings. When I did attend, information
was purposely removed from my Assembly information package meaning the Band did not have the same
information as the other Chiefs. This is hardly conductive to in-depth discussions that KMKNO alludes to.
Resolutions were typically presented on the same day as voting took place, with no opportunity for the
Band council or Band members to have any input. Assembly resolutions are not passed subject to
ratification by individual Bands. Again, hardly indicative of in-depth discussions and deliberation on
Constitutionally protected collective rights and title.
In KMKNOs press release they suggested that Sipeknekatik has requested and received funding from the
Province. The Band questions KMKNOs motivation on this statement. KMKNO has claimed previously
that it respects the autonomy of individual Bands. In my view KMKNO has made an exception in singling
out and intermeddling with the internal affairs of Sipeknekatik. The Band has received funds but it pales in
comparison to amounts KMKNO has received over the years from various levels of Government and
industry. The Band would welcome KMKNOs statement on what it has received in funding over the years
from various sources.
Sipeknekatik has requested clarification on the difference between KMKNO and Assembly of Nova
Scotia Chiefs. Sipeknekatiks concern is the growing involvement of KMKNO in other organizations, and
that there is a growing danger that other Mikmaq organizations are becoming redundant as KMKNO
continues to expand beyond their mandate and purpose.
KMKMOs press release stated that Sipeknekatik stopped talking to the Province of Nova Scotia. This
statement is untrue, erroneous, defamatory, and irresponsible. Sipeknekatik has and continues to talk to the
Province. In September 2015, Sipeknekatik decided to stop talking directly to the Proponent due to trust
issues and concerns with the consultation process. Publishing untrue statements such as this demonstrates
KMKNOs opinion of the Band.
On January 21, 2016, Sipeknekatik withdrew from the Assembly after much deliberation. This was an
unfortunate but necessary decision. Currently, this is the only way to ensure that Sipeknekatik represents
itself in ensuring the protection of our members rights and title.
While the Province, Alton and KMKNO forge ahead in this project, one has to ask who will speak for this
vital river system. For thousands of years it has been our highway, grocery store and pharmacy. It kept us

fed and alive and we have the duty to ensure it is protected and respected. Companies and organizations
come and go, yet the river remains as our connection to the past, present and future.
The Bands does not want its limited consultation capacity to have any adverse impact on Band members
rights and title. This is the reason why Sipeknekatik had proposed to have Alton Gas issue addressed in a
formal referendum process. Simply put, the river is too important to exclude our Band membership.
Sipeknekatik has been seeking to create its own consultation process. This community based process will
address our concerns with the existing provincial process, and to allow for individual Band members to
have meaningful input. Members need to be involved, informed and included in any discussion concerning
our rights and title.
We are committed to open communication, accountability and transparency, especially when dealing with
our collective rights and title. We treat our obligation and duty to protect and preserve our rights and title
with the utmost respect and seriousness.
If you have any questions regarding this feel free to contact me anytime.

Sincerely,

Chief Rufus Copage

Sipeknekatik
Phone: (902) 758-2049 ext. 222
Cell: (902) 805-0141
Email: chiefcopage@sipeknekatik.ca