Indigenous, Acadian groups unite to lead a Tintamarre / Wiwonastaqot / Sespelmatieg in Fredericton on October 25
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The Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick (SANB), Wolastqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB) and Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn (MTI) are uniting in Fredericton next Tuesday, to highlight the provincial government’s inattention to minority rights and priorities, as a new legislative session opens.
The Higgs government has repeatedly suppressed minority rights regarding language, cultural recognition, and reconciliation.
The SANB as well as the Mi'kmaw and Wolastoqey Chiefs are combining forces to organize a Tintamarre / Wiwonastaqot / Sespelmatieg on Oct. 25 that sends a simple message in the spirit of solidarity and friendship: the Wabanaki and Acadian people must be heard in Fredericton. The Tintamarre will begin at noon in front of Fredericton City Hall and proceed to the Legislative Assembly via Queen Street.
“Today is about combining our voice with other minority groups in this province who’ve been abandoned by a premier solely concerned with achieving his personal political agenda,” said Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation). “For years, we have pushed for Blaine Higgs to engage with us in a diplomatic, nation-to-nation relationship to further reconcile our shared history and move our people forward.”
A Tintamarre is a cultural event often celebrated on National Acadian Day, August 15th, where people dress up and take to the street to make as much noise as possible with instruments, bells, pots and pans, etc. Following initial discussions, WNNB and MTI leaders agreed to join in this typically Acadian procession as the official guests of honour of the Tintamarre.
"A Tintamarre is a cultural celebration that allows us to convey an important message," said Alexandre Cédric Doucet, president of the SANB.
"Currently, the provincial government is turning a deaf ear to the priorities and aspirations of not only Acadians, but also the Wolastoqey and Mi'kmaw Nations. Premier Higgs has no respect for the dignity of the province's different linguistic and cultural communities and seems only to want to sow division. However, Higgs will not make us forget our Acadian national motto: L’Union fait la force (Stronger Together)," concluded President Doucet.
"The Mi’gmaq and the Acadians have a long history of working together,” said Chief Terry Richardson of Pabineau First Nation. “The event on October 25th is letting the government know that we are here and that we need a constructive relationship with them. We cannot have leaders who delay or undermine efforts that seek to bring all of us together. Collaboration and cooperation will be what moves New Brunswick forward," added Chief Richardson.
More organisations are expected to join this coalition in the days to come.
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For more information, please contact:
Éric Dow, SANB
Cell: 506-878-0948
Logan Perley
Wolastoqey Nation in NB
media@wolastoqey.ca
Jennifer Coleman
Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn