Mi'kmaq Matters

Mining engineer Jim Kuipers, who has studied resource developments across the continent on behalf of Indigenous peoples, says the area in Central so-called "Newfoundland" is at the height of land and near multiple bodies of water, making an operation that will use cyanide in its processes more risky. Plus: details on the Mi'kmaq Matters virtual community circle on the proposed mine, happening on December 14 at 7 p.m. NST (6:30 p.m. AST/5:30 p.m. ET). This is the opportunity to hear from mining experts, and to ask questions about the environmental impacts of the proposed Valentine Lake mine.

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Marathon Gold Corporation has released its environmental impact statement on the controversial Valentine Lake mega-mine. Marathon acknowledges there will be "significant" negative effects on the Buchans Plateau caribou herd—already at historic low numbers—and it is not known if mitigation measures will work. The release of the Marathon impact statement begins the period for public comments, which can be sent to [email protected]. Here at Mi'kmaq Matters, we're using public participation funds from the Impact Assessment Agency to review the Marathon submissions on caribou. This week, we speak with our lead researcher, Dr. Brian McLaren, a caribou expert and professor at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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The purchase of Clearwater by Mi'kmaq is the perfect antidote for those images of harassment by non-Indigenous fishers. But what does the mega deal mean for sustainability and internal equity among Mi'kmaw communities? This week, we speak with professor Tony Charles of St. Mary's University. Plus a preview of the next Qalipu meeting and the enrolment protest that will greet chief and council.

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Let down by RCMP and government, the Sipekne'katik First Nation band has launched a flurry of lawsuits challenging provincial fish buyer regulators and targeting perpetrators of harassment and violence against Moderate Livelihood fishers. This week, we speak with Ron Pink—the lawyer leading the legal fight.

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With less than a year until the next election for Qalipu Chief and Council, we survey the field for those who may run—and for those who definitely will not.

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) were quick to seize Moderate Livelihood, but the DFO looked the other way for years while corporate seafood giant Clearwater ignored key fisheries regulation. This week, we speak with Shannon Arnold of the Ecology Action Centre about the events leading up to the exposé of Clearwater's "gross violation."

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Labelled "Waspu" after the Mi'kmaq word for seal, Qalipu will soon launch its own brand of seal oil capsules says John Davis of Qalipu Development Corporation. Plus: are the feds really getting it on Moderate Livelihood?

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Jaimie Lickers has been front and centre in the legal struggle on behalf of Qalipu applicants, but now she's leaving law for the corporate world. We sit down with her to talk about the wins, the losses and the future of the Abbott appeal.

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Traditional leader Gary Mettalic Sr. of Listuguj First Nation calls for Mi'kmaq to assert Aboriginal title for the rest of Mi'kma'ki not included in Elsipogtog claim. And we hear from lawyer David Rosenfeld on who's in and out of Qalipu enrolment class action case.

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This week, host Glenn Wheeler and producer Allison Baker discuss the $11,500 in funding Mi'kmaq Matters has received from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada that will enable an independent review of the Valentine Lake project with the assistance of a caribou expert and researcher. And later, we check in with Cory Francis, the Mi'kmaw Conservation Group Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator, about Mi'kmaw moderate livelihood fishery.

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