Posted on Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs public FB page
Chiefs Angered at Premier Houston’s Speed of Business & Lack of Respect
Mi’kma’ki – As the Nova Scotia government gathered until late in the evening on October 2, 2025, to debate their omnibus bills, so did Mi’kmaw leadership.
“We were gathered for the past two days at a Treaty Education Conference, talking about our Rights and our Rightful place on these lands and waters, while Nova Scotia was making unilateral decisions and pushing through legislation with hidden agendas to stifle the voices of our Nation,” said Chief Leroy Denny, Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq (Assembly).
The Assembly wants to make clear that, as the Rightful owners of these lands and resources, other levels of government need to understand that the Mi’kmaq also have a jurisdiction over how their territory is used. The Assembly is deeply concerned about how Minister Leah Martin and her department believe they can speak on behalf of the Mi’kmaw Nation, and how Premier Houston and his government is changing things for the convenience of government yet ignores processes long- established with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. They feel all Nova Scotians should be frustrated that this government is circumventing systems built with the Mi’kmaq to push through changes – legislative or otherwise – to make things easier for them but ignoring any responsibility to the environment.
“Premier Houston and his government need to know that they are not the only ones calling the shots here in Mi’kma’ki. We not only hold Treaty Rights, but also Aboriginal Rights, Jurisdictions and Title, as we never ceded or surrendered our lands, waters and resources,” said Chief Terrance Paul, Maw- lukutijik Saqmaq. “Making decisions without us is unconstitutional and wrong”.
The Assembly is demanding a meeting with Premier Houston immediately as he must be reminded that his government is bound by Peace and Friendship Treaties with the Mi’kmaq. While he may not have found that important enough to attend or send representatives to this year’s joint Treaty Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day events, he still has a Nation-to-Nation obligation that he must live up to and respect.
“Making decisions at this speed, while clearly dismissing our Mi’kmaw voices and concerns, is not peace and friendship. Premier Houston and his government need to build a better understanding of what it really means to be Treaty partners,” said Chief Sidney Peters, Maw-Iukutijik Saqmaq.
While the Chiefs continue to push to meet with Premier Houston, they will also be looking into all possible legal remedies and mechanisms that can be taken to ensure they can protect Mi’kmaw people, communities and our collective Rights.