Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey leaders are celebrating Susan Holt’s victory in the New Brunswick provincial election on Oct. 21.
After showing support during the Liberals’ campaign and in the polls, First Nations communities plan to discuss their priorities at the table with Premier Susan Holt soon after her swearing-in as premier.
“It’s crucial that we begin to rebuild the trust and respect needed to have proper working relationships with First Nations,” Katie Beers, a spokesperson of the Liberal Party, wrote in an email to Ku’ku’kwes News.
“Those discussions and meeting arrangements are ongoing. We look forward to sharing more soon,” she added.
Leaders such as Terry Richardson, who is the chief of Pabineau First Nation, expressed their political preferences for the election during the campaign. He pointed out that only the Liberal and Green parties had met with First Nations to talk about issues such as Aboriginal Title, revenue-sharing agreements, and systemic racism.
“United, we will advance this province and work with a government that hears all New Brunswickers,” Richardson told Ku’ku’kwes News on the evening of the election as results projected a Liberal-majority government.
First Nations present in Premier’s swearing-in ceremony
At 1:00 p.m. on Nov. 2, Susan Holt and 48 other MLAs were sworn in at the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly.
First Nations representatives that attended the swearing-in ceremony include:
- Chief Jake Caplin from Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation);
- Chief Terry Richardson from Pabineau First Nation;
- Chief Alvery Paul from Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church First Nation);
- Chief Bill Ward from Metepenagiag First Nation;
- Chief Rebecca Knockwood from Amlamgog (Fort Folly First Nation);
- Former Chief Eric Altvater from Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) First Nation at Stukik;
- Chief Shelley Sabattis from Welamukotuk (Oromocto First Nation);
- Chief Allan Polchies from Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation).
Two hours later, the premier met supporters and media at the Fredericton Convention Centre, where she was welcomed by First Nations chiefs and a drum circle performance by the Muskrat Singers, an ensemble of Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaw musicians.
After the drumming session, Holt held a speech where she remarked that her team was working on bringing change to the province in the early days of her mandate.
“We are going to follow through on the commitments that we have made,” Holt said.
The Liberal Party’s platform promised to move discussions of title claims and tax agreements to the negotiation table. To combat systemic racism in the province, the party proposed to promote inclusive policies and appropriate training for police forces.
“This new government is going to be like night and day. They’re willing and prepared to meet with us and face this head-on,” Chief Patricia Bernard from Madawaska-Maliseet First Nation said in a phone interview.
“We’re definitely going to be pushing to sit down and come up with a plan moving forward to address all the issues that were a concern to the Wolastoqey,” Bernard added.
Other First Nations representatives also expressed interest in having separate dialogues with the newly formed government.
Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated (MTI), an organization representing nine Mi’kmaw communities in the province, said in a written statement that they look forward to working with the Holt government. “The right people and partners at the table are so important for the work we do at MTI.”
Liberals led in First Nations voting stations, election data shows
After the ballot count, the Liberal Party formed a majority with 36 seats, followed by the PC Party with 16 seats. The Green Party managed to retain two seats in the election.
In specific polling divisions, results show a more pronounced Liberal lead in areas with First Nation band offices.
Chief Bernard said that she is happy with the election night results.
“New Brunswickers made the right choice in what’s best interest of all when they chose to support the Liberal government," she said.
On election night, Chief Jake Caplin of Eel River Bar First Nation described the Liberal’s campaign as “clean” and said that Holt was a “more-Indigenous-friendly” candidate than her opponents. “New Brunswick was asking for a change.”
Holt appointed Keith Chiasson, the elected MLA for Tracadie and a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2018, as the new Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Chiasson succeeds Réjean Savoie, who lost his seat in the Legislative Assembly this election.
