PAQ’TNKEK: Representatives from the Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish County, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and CANDO, a national Aboriginal organization involved in community economic development, were in Paq’tnkek last week to begin work on a Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI).
Paq’tnkek chief Paul James Prosper said the purpose of the CEDI is to build partnerships and relationships between First Nations communities and nearby municipalities. It is the first such initiative in Nova Scotia and the second in Atlantic Canada.
“We’re here embarking on a journey together that will take us through the next three years where we will understand and learn about one another as neighbours and look to work on a specific initiative that will solidify the relationship between our respective communities and councils,” said Prosper.
Antigonish County Warden Russell Boucher said the initiative is driven by economic development, noting he is proud Paq’tnkek was selected out of 82 applications from communities looking to take part in the program.
“The workshops that they’re putting on for us to get to know one another, that happened this morning alone, have been very helpful,” said Boucher.
“Also, we recognized how little we know about one another as communities.”
Boucher said the sharing of knowledge will allow for more understanding between the two and result in a more efficient working relationship. Boucher also thanked Rose Paul, director of Lands and Economic Development with Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, for her work in getting the initiative off the ground.
“I think what will be sparked though this initiative is, as Warden Boucher mentioned, is more communication,” said Prosper.
“With more dialogue, comes a deeper sense of understanding and when you have understanding, you have the basis of a relationship. With that, you can build trust and you can look to build upon that trust in very tangible ways. I think this will set that example of a relationship that is growing.”
Boucher said they are still in the getting to know one another stage but they are happy it is coming together.
“Both councils have the will and they are going to put forth a supreme effort for it to happen,” he said.
The program is set to run until 2019.
