June 25th marked the International Day of the Seafarer, a time to recognize those who navigate the waters and sustain communities through marine industries. For the Mi’kmaq people of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), the sea has always been an essential part of our way of life.

Our ancestors traveled by birchbark canoe, moving across rivers and coastlines, guided by the stars and the natural world around them. The ocean provided food, trade, and connection, shaping our identity as stewards of the waters. Today, our deep ties to the fishery, ship repair, and environmental stewardship continue to be vital to both our economy and cultural traditions.

As a Nation, we deeply value our partnerships with organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Horizon Maritime, and many others. Through our collective efforts, we make a significant difference in upholding standards for safety not only for seafarers, but for our waters and their unique ecosystems.

With the introduction of Bill C-5 and other policies that risk bypassing meaningful consultation with Indigenous governments, we must remain committed to advocating for responsible marine practices that honor our traditions for our future generations.

We will continue to pray and give thanks for those that risk their lives at sea each day and standing firm in our responsibility to protect the waters that sustain us.

Relevant Links:

International Day of the Seafarer: https://www.imo.org/en/

Assembly of First Nations, National Virtual Forum on Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act: https://afn.ca/all-news/bulletins/national-virtual-forum-on-bill-c-5-the-building-canada-act/

Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries: https://www.mikmaqcf.com/

This Saturday is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate the strength of Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island. Since its official recognition in 1996, June 21 has served not only as a celebration of our heritage but also as a powerful reminder of the contributions, stories, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

For all Indigenous Nations, this is a day to honour our ancestors, traditions, and relationship with each other and the land. It is a time for reflection, celebration, and connection, and a reminder that our cultures are not relics of the past but living traditions that we carry proudly into the future.

This year, as we mark this special day, we do so with heavy hearts knowing that many of our friends and relations are impacted by ongoing wildfires affecting communities across the province and beyond. We are thinking especially of those who have had to evacuate or are working tirelessly in emergency response.

As our staff and council members in the central region are working to support each other and their community, we keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Central Vice Chief Colleen has been on the ground since the emergency alert was issued, staying connected with emergency services in Badger and ensuring our members receive timely updates. Shianne, our Exploits Ward Councillor, is also available and ready to assist the membership. Both are available to members 24 hours a day as we continue navigating this emergency together.

Let us continue to show up for one another with compassion and courage, our strength as a Nation lies in how we support each other on the ground and in spirit.

Relevant Links:

QFN Housing Supports: https://qalipu.ca/housing/
QFN Mental Wellness Supports: https://qalipu.ca/health/non-insured-health-benefits/
Government of NL, Wildfire Information: https://www.gov.nl.ca/alerts/
Canadian Red Cross: https://www.redcross.ca/
Government of Canada, National Indigenous Peoples Day: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1708446948967

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the largest global gathering focused on hydrogen projects, policy, and technology. This summit brought together industry experts, government leaders, researchers, and Indigenous representatives from around the world to discuss the future of hydrogen and its potential to reduce carbon emissions while creating new economic opportunities.

Although the number of proposed hydrogen projects for the island have decreased, some are still forging ahead in hopes of off-take agreements with Europe in the near future. As Mi’kmaq people, we have always understood the importance of protecting our lands and waters. The knowledge shared at events like this one allows us to be engaged and stay informed so we can play a role to safeguard the environment while providing cleaner energy solutions for generations to come.

One key takeaway from this experience is the real potential for us here to participate in the many aspects of development, to create sustainable jobs and business ventures within our community. To ensure our people benefit from this growing industry, it is essential that Indigenous voices remain at the forefront of these discussions.

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation included over 60 representatives from government, major energy companies, and organizations across the hydrogen development chain. Our newly elected Premier, John Hogan, was also in attendance and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Port of Amsterdam. This was a significant step in advancing our province’s role in hydrogen development.  I spoke with our new premier regarding this, and we are hopeful that our province will be industry leaders in the future in many aspects of green energy.

This experience has reinforced the need for our commitment to economic development that respects our traditions and secures our place in our economy. We must continue to work toward opportunities that reflect our values and support a strong future for our people.  If we do not stay engaged, we will not be heard.

I want to provide an update following the ongoing correspondence with many parties involved in the response to the MSC Baltic, the container ship grounded near Little Port, Newfoundland.

Over the past few weeks, an additional 290 cubes of oil have been removed, bringing the total to 600 cubes of hard oil recovered from the ship. Additionally, 24 shipping containers have been removed and transported to the Port of Corner Brook.

While two new tar balls have been recently discovered, I’m pleased to share that five previously collected samples have tested negative for a match with oil from the ship. Additional testing is being conducted on the remaining hard oil samples from the ship’s holding tanks, with a focus on identifying the source of any remaining oil.

Work continues to improve the road access to the site. The road is now open to truck traffic, and a turnaround is being constructed for larger equipment. We are relieved to know that emergency response teams are now able to bring in any necessary equipment safely.

A new vessel, the EEMS Dublin, has arrived on scene to assist in container removal under more challenging weather conditions. It has the capacity to transport approximately 50-70 containers back to port. Over the weekend, an additional 10 containers were removed, and half of the oil has been pumped from the ship’s main tanks. Over 550 cubic metres have been safely transferred to other MSC vessels.

We are pleased to see the continuous progress of this situation. A major spill would be catastrophic for our environment, for those who rely on these waters for their livelihoods and for the families who take part in the food fishery each year to feed their families.

This week, as we celebrated National Seal Products Day, we are reminded that traditional foods, including those harvested from our waters, are a vital part of our traditional way of life. These practices connect us to our culture and our ancestors. Protecting our lands and waters is essential to continuing these traditions for generations to come.

We will continue working with all involved including the Canadian Coast Guard, the Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC) and Horizon Maritime. These partners have shown strong leadership and advocacy for a prompt response to this situation.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank our Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) team. They have been actively monitoring the situation, conducting shoreline surveys, and providing crucial information to ensure our environment is protected. Their efforts reflect our shared responsibility to protect the environment, which supports our communities and the practices that are central to our identity as Mi’kmaq people.