Treaty Day Celebration

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Mi'kmaq heritage highlighted this year's Treaty Day celebration at Province House.

Representatives from five organizations signed the agreement, including the Grand Council of the Mi'kmaq, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs, the Nova Scotia Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Parks Canada.

The agreement commits the parties to an open and constructive dialogue on a number of heritage-related issues. The agreement recognizes the requirements for heritage protection that exist under federal and provincial legislation.

A number of awards were also handed out. The Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Elder Awards were presented to Noel Abraham Smith of the Horton First Nation and Elsie Charles Basque of Saulnierville, N.S.

The Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Education Awards were presented to Madelaine Gould of Membertou First Nation and Sesch Collins of the Horton First Nation.

The Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund awards were presented to Josephine LaPorte of Membertou First Nation and Tuma Young of Eskasoni First Nation.