N.B. removes mention of ‘unceded’ land from motion recognizing Reconciliation Day
New Brunswick is amending a movement recognizing the Nationwide Day for Fact and Reconciliation due to a First Nations land declare earlier than the courts.
The unique movement, submitted by Inexperienced Occasion Chief David Coon, mentioned New Brunswick was on the unceded and conventional homeland of First Nations. It additionally described the abuse suffered by Indigenous kids who had been pressured to attend residential faculties.
As a substitute, the provincial authorities amended the movement to take away the phrase “unceded” and to incorporate that residential faculties had been positioned in provinces aside from New Brunswick.
Premier Blaine Higgs informed reporters right now that the federal government can’t say one factor in a movement and one thing completely different whereas defending itself in court docket.
He was referring to a title declare filed final November by six Wolastoqey chiefs for 60 per cent of New Brunswick’s territory.
Chief Ross Perley of Tobique First Nation says he appreciates that the province will acknowledge the Day for Fact and Reconciliation yearly on Sept. 30, however he says the movement falls brief by not making the day a statutory vacation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 10, 2022.
