Native Council of Prince Edward Island

Native Council of Prince Edward Island
Name	Native Council of Prince Edward Island
Type	Indigenous advocacy organization
Founded	1970s
Headquarters	Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Region served	Prince Edward Island
Membership	Mi'kmaq communities and organizations

Native Council of Prince Edward Island The Native Council of Prince Edward Island is an Indigenous advocacy and service organization based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It engages with Mi'kmaq communities, provincial institutions, Canadian federal bodies, and national Indigenous organizations to address social, cultural, legal, and economic issues affecting Indigenous peoples. The Council interacts with institutions such as the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada while participating in regional initiatives tied to the Mi'kmaq Nation, Confederation of Treaty Chiefs, and Atlantic policy networks.

History

The Council emerged during a period marked by activism connected to the Calder case, the White Paper debates, and national mobilizations led by leaders like Terry Mitchell (Mi'kmaq activist), George Erasmus, and Phil Fontaine, aligning with organizations such as the Native Council of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations. Early interactions involved provincial administrations in Charlottetown, ties to the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly, and legal frameworks influenced by decisions like R v Sparrow and treaties such as the Treaty of 1752 and the Douglas Treaties. It collaborated with groups including the Mi'kmaq Grand Council, Unama'ki, Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation, and academic partners like University of Prince Edward Island and St. Francis Xavier University on cultural revitalization and land claims research. Over decades the Council negotiated program delivery agreements with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and engaged in disputes involving institutions like Health Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and provincial departments.

Structure and Governance

Governance arrangements reflect customary and elected practices influenced by models seen in organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and regional bodies like the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat. The Council's board has worked with legal advisors experienced in cases like R v Marshall and with governance training from institutions such as Canadian Bar Association workshops and partners like Native Women’s Association of Canada. It coordinates with municipal entities in Charlottetown and regional planning bodies, maintains liaison roles with the Prince Edward Island Human Rights Commission, and aligns protocols with cultural authorities including the Mi'kmaq Grand Council and elders from Epekwitk Assembly of Councils.

Membership and Affiliated Communities

Membership comprises Mi'kmaq families, urban Indigenous residents in Charlottetown, and affiliated communities including representatives from organizations similar to Abegweit First Nation, Lennox Island First Nation, and urban Indigenous service providers like Nishga-style associations and community groups. The Council engages with national bodies such as Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and provincial partners like Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture on cross-sectoral issues. It liaises with neighboring provincial entities including New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council and Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association.

Programs and Services

Programs have spanned areas comparable to services offered by Indigenous Services Canada and community initiatives like language programs modeled on FirstVoices, cultural education akin to curricula developed with Canadian Museum of History partnerships, and health supports reflecting collaborations with Public Health Agency of Canada and Mental Health Commission of Canada. Employment and skills training initiatives mirror programs run by Employment and Social Development Canada and engage educational institutions such as Holland College, University of Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton University for credentialing. Housing and infrastructure projects have involved funding approaches used by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and partnerships resembling those with Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Advocacy and Political Activities

The Council's advocacy has engaged federal courts echoing themes from R v Sparrow, R v Marshall, and consultations under frameworks like United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its endorsement processes. It has testified before provincial committees in Charlottetown and engaged with federal ministers such as those in Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Health Canada. Political activity includes collaborations with organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and participation in regional coalitions like the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat to advance rights, services, and recognition related to treaties and land claims.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources have included program agreements with Indigenous Services Canada, grants from bodies like Canadian Heritage, contributions from Employment and Social Development Canada, and project funding mechanisms used by Infrastructure Canada. The Council has partnered with academic institutions such as University of Prince Edward Island, St. Francis Xavier University, and Dalhousie University for research, and with non-governmental organizations similar to Canadian Red Cross and Native Women’s Association of Canada for service delivery. It has negotiated memoranda of understanding with provincial departments in Charlottetown and collaborated on funding models akin to those administered by Community Foundations of Canada and Canada Council for the Arts.

Notable Initiatives and Controversies

Initiatives have included language revitalization programs influenced by projects at FirstVoices and cultural repatriation efforts comparable to work with the Canadian Museum of History and provincial heritage bodies. The Council has engaged in public health campaigns with partners like Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada and in legal advocacy reflecting precedents such as R v Sparrow and R v Marshall. Controversies have involved debates over funding allocation, program delivery, and jurisdictional disputes similar to conflicts seen between Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and provincial authorities, and public disagreements that paralleled matters addressed by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and inquiries akin to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada processes.

Category:Organizations based in Prince Edward Island Category:Indigenous organizations in Canada