A picture of the area of the Wolastoqey Nation, whose territory extends beyond New Brunswick into Maine and Québec. (Image submitted)
The Wolastoqey Nations in New Brunswick are petitioning the courts for the right to decide how their lands are used.
According to news a release, the chiefs are requesting the government to stop giving away land to private parties.
On top of that, they say they never gave the land up, and the Crown shouldn’t give any more land away.
“Going to court to fight to have our rights clearly acknowledged in the treaties recognized and implemented was never our first choice,” said Chief Allan Polchies, Jr. of Sitansisk, also known as St. Mary’s First Nation.
“We have attempted to resolve this through negotiation, but we have been rebuffed at every attempt and there is clearly no good faith desire to negotiate. This is unfortunate, but it appears to be the only option left to us.”
The release notes “the Wolastoqey Nation negotiated and entered into Treaties with the Crown, known as the Peace and Friendship Treaties.” In that treaty, settlers were to follow the legal process for settling on the lands.
The chiefs say the Crown took land without consent and gave it to private landowners, benefitting off of the taxes, royalties, leases and fees.
“They have acted as if they have sole jurisdiction over the land and this is simply legally not the case,” said Chief Tim Paul of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). “You cannot give away something that is not yours to give.”
The release states they won’t remove anyone off any land, they want acknowledgement of their title to their traditional lands.
In a backgrounder of information on the Peace and Friendship treaties sent along with the release includes the possibility of working collaboratively with the Crown to address past conduct.
“Our people have lived on and used these lands since time immemorial,” said Chief Patricia Bernard of Matawaskiye (Madawaska First Nation). “We signed treaties with the Crown agreeing to peace and friendship with settlers, but we never gave the land up. It is still legally ours.”
All six chiefs of Matawaskiye (Madawaska), Neqotkuk (Tobique), Wotstak (Woodstock), Pilick (Kingsclear), Sitansisk (St. Mary’s) and Welamukotuk (Oromocto) are seeking acknowledgement of the title to their traditional lands.
