Episode 124: Unlocking the Beothuk-Mi'kmaq Mystery

Oral history suggests a connection between ancient Beothuk and Mi'kmaq—so far there is no scientific proof, but that could change with the results of a genetic study commissioned by Miawpukwek First Nation.

This week, we speak with Steve Carr of Terra Nova Genomics Inc. who was hired by Miawpukwek to do that very research.

Episode 123: MFNAN Closes the Door on a Difficult Year

As the Mi'kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland gathers for its annual meeting, members will be lamenting the Abbott case but revving up for an appeal. They'll also be planning another crack at becoming the Newfoundland affiliate in the national organization, which represents non-status Indigenous people.

Episode 122: North American Indigenous Games in Mi'kma'ki

The North American Indigenous Games in 2020 will bring 5,000 athletes to Halifax next July, and culture will be showcased along with the sports. 

We hear from Brendon Smithson of the organizing committee and Mike Alexander, one of the coordinators for Team Newfoundland and Labrador.

Episode 121: The Charges Against Joel Denny

Note: this episode deals with topics of sexual assault that may be triggering to some listeners. Please listen with care.

We speak to Elizabeth Marshall about the reaction in Eskasoni to the 25 sex-related charges against Joel Denny, a prominent member of the community known for his work in Mi'kmaq language development.

Episode 120: The Fight Against Alton Gas

Lawyer Michael McDonald speaks about the land, the treaty and the river at the heart of the struggle to protect the waters of the Shubenacadie that are part of traditional Mi'kmaq life in central Nova Scotia.

Episode 119: A Decision in the Jerry Brake Case

A decision by the Federal Court of Appeal in the Brake case means more judicial scrutiny of the controversial side deal between Canada and Federation of Newfoundland Indians. The class action offers another chance to nix the supplemental agreement.

We interview plaintiffs' lawyer David Rosenfeld of the law firm Koskie Minsky.

Episode 118: Chief Mi'sel Joe's Aquaculture Concerns

Miawpukek First Nation's Chief Mi'sel Joe still supports the sea-based industry, but worries about transparency—he also has questions about whether warm weather caused the massive die-off at Northern Harvest,  and why no other operation was affected.  

Later in the show, Wade Locke, a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland Professor, explains why Indigenous issues were left off the table at an upcoming conference on economic, social, and cultural development.

Episode 116: Toward a More Transparent Search for New Regional Chief

Chief PJ Prosper of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs hopes there will be a better process for choosing Morley Googoo's replacement. 

And later in the show,  we check-in with Cheryl Maloney about going public with her harassment and bullying complaint against Googoo, and how she feels now that he has been removed from office.

Episode 115: Die-Off Disaster

Who knew what, and when? 

This week, we speak to NDP Fisheries critic Jim Dinn who says that rather than personally attacking those raising questions about the salmon die-off, Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne should appoint a legitimate, independent inquiry into what is turning out to be an environmental and economic disaster.

Episode 114: Mi'kmaq Burials

Upon her death, Corner Brook resident Dee Dee Starling wants to be buried in a section of Mount Patricia cemetery reserved for Mi'kmaq people. In recent weeks, talks have started between Qalipu First Nation and the cemetery to make that a reality. 

This week, we hear from Starling and Lloyd Walters, chair of the Mount Patricia board of directors, about what it will take to honour Mi'kmaq wishes to be buried in a traditional way.

Episode 113: How Did Morley Googoo Remain Regional Chief?

Cheryl Maloney's allegations of harassment led to the suspension of the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Morley Googoo.

Now, the former President of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association says people are afraid to speak out against Googoo for fear of losing jobs, funding and services because the chiefs of the 13 First Nations in Nova Scotia dominate every Indigenous organization in the province.

Episode 112: Nalcor Energy's Blueberry Blunder

The hydro company recently sprayed a power line right of way with three kinds of herbicide, just as people from across southwestern Newfoundland headed to the area to pick blueberries, as they have for decades.

Norm Strickland Sr. of Burgeo, one of the first to discover that the area had been sprayed, tells us about how it has been fairing since.

Episode 111: Greg Malone on Taking the Climate Crisis Seriously

Funny man Greg Malone, a member of the legendary comedy troupe CODCO, is running as the Green Party candidate in Avalon. Formerly part of the NDP, he's now urging Newfoundlanders to make an economic U-turn that would make the province cleaner and happier.

Episode 110: Lawyer vs Nova Scotia Premier

Did he or didn't he?

A lawyer says he received the go-ahead from his government client to argue that Mi'kmaq are conquered people. Columnist Jim Vibert says if documents prove that the lawyer is right, there will be major political fallout for Premier Stephen McNeil.

Episode 109: Petroglyphs May Provide New Insight into Newfoundland's Indigenous History

Archeologist Barry Gaulton is looking to ancient rock carvings for insight into patterns of Indigenous movement across "Newfoundland."

Episode 108: Taking Aquaculture to Court

Lawsuit challenges have permitted Stephenville's controversial Indian Head Hatchery to expand without environmental assessments of the risks of introducing farmed salmon into marine waters. 

In other news, we're happy to be adding Miawpukek First Nations Radio to our list of radio partners. You can now listen to new episodes of Mi'kmaq Matters every Thursday at 1 p.m. on MFN Radio.

Episode 107: What It Means to Be Mi'kmaq

Some reflections after the Miawpukek Powwow in Conne River.

While the climate is in crisis, band councils are cozying up to resource companies. Now, ordinary Mi'kmaq are left to protect the lands and water that connect us to our ancestors.

Episode 106: On the Beothuk Trail with Don Pelley

For 40 years, researcher Don Pelley has been uncovering evidence of Beothuk life along the shores of the Exploits River and Red Indian Lake.

Episode 105: Preparing for the Valentine Lake Environmental Assessment

Participant funding for the Valentine Lake environmental assessment will be announced soon, and Jamie Kneen from MiningWatch Canada says groups planning to intervene on the gold mine development on traditional Mi'kmaq land need to start lining up experts and to back them.

Episode 104: Is Qalipu too Soft on Liberals?

After a splashy photo-op last fall with Liberal MPs, the Qalipu/Federation of Newfoundland Indians has not sealed a deal with the feds on getting back status for any of the 10,000 kicked out a year ago.

Time to turn up the political heat, says Greg Janes, one of the organizers of ABLE: Anyone But Liberals Elected. But is it realistic to think anyone or anything can unseat MP Gudie Hutchings in a riding as red as the Long Range Mountains?