Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn, Premier Blaine Higgs, and Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland speak on Dec 1, 2021 (Image: YouTube video capture)
The Higgs government addressed a new title claim by New Brunswick’s six Wolastoqey chiefs on Wednesday.
The claim names some of the province’s largest industrial corporations, including NB Power and J.D. Irving, Ltd.
The chiefs are seeking compensation from the Crown for allowing commercial operations on their traditional land, along with a declaration of Aboriginal title to the lands.
“Never before has a claim of this nature attempted to take control of land that is privately owned,” Premier Blaine Higgs said during a news conference.
“While this new claim names specific forestry companies and NB Power, it still does not define the impact or protect the rights of all New Brunswickers.”
Higgs added the claim “lacks the clarity that New Brunswickers deserve,” which will impact jobs, land ownership, private investment, and the province’s entire economy.
According to a news release from the Wolastoqey Nation, the corporations operate on about 20 per cent of the more than five-million hectares identified in the claim as traditional Wolastoqey lands.
Pilick (Kingsclear) Chief Gabriel Atwin said they are not interested in displacing New Brunswickers from their homes and farms.
Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland said the claim “is very concerning for our forestry sector in general.”
“Forestry is the backbone of this province’s economy in many ways, especially in rural New Brunswick,” said Holland.
Holland added the department is taking this claim “very seriously” and is reviewing it in detail to “attempt to fully understand the implications.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn also spoke and said the government “wants a New Brunswick where all First Nation communities prosper.”
Dunn said the relationship between government and Indigenous Peoples should not be politicized, “and sadly it appears that is just what the Wolastoqey chiefs seem to be doing.”
“Our government remains committed to working through any challenges in order to achieve a respectful and meaning relationship with all our First Nations,” she added.
HAPPENING NOW; an update from the New Brunswick government regarding the Wolastoqey land claim. pic.twitter.com/aO331LuIOM
— Tim Herd (@timherdradio) December 1, 2021
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