The chief of Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) in New Brunswick says his nation is ready to move on and build a relationship with the new provincial government after Monday night’s decisive win by the Liberals led by Susan Holt.
“My reaction was quite ecstatic because I have to lead our nation into a better place than what the previous government was not doing for our people,” Allan Polchies Jr. told APTN News. “It’s exciting for our people.
“As a leader, I’m bringing that hope to our people to continue the relationship and to build on that for brighter days ahead.”
New Brunswick electors tossed out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handed the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province.
Susan Holt is a relative newcomer to the province’s political scene, having won a byelection last year, eight months after she became party leader.
“Tonight’s results make it clear that New Brunswickers are ready for a change,” she told a boisterous crowd of supporters in downtown Fredericton on Monday night during an energetic speech that showed off her skills as a fluently bilingual premier-designate.
“We don’t take it lightly that you have put your trust in myself and my team and that you have hope for a brighter future.”
For years outgoing premier Blaine Higgs has been on the outs with Wolastoqey and Mi’gmaw chiefs over tax revenues and Aboriginal title claims.
In 2020, the six chiefs of Wolastoqey filed a title claim that covers “five million hectares which have been governed, protected, managed, used and occupied by the Wolastoqey from time immemorial.”
Then, in November 2021, it refiled the title claim to include several companies.
“These companies haven’t shown a willingness to negotiate in good faith or show the respect that we need for our treaty rights,” said Ross Perley, chief of Neqotkuk at the time.
Wolastoqey lands are unceded and unsurrendered.
In July 2024, eight Mi’gmaq chiefs in New Brunswick filed a similar claim.
During the provincial campaign, Higgs announced that New Brunswick is “ceded” land and was ready to fight the title claim in court saying that “we have evidence to say it was ceded many, many years ago.”
The chiefs accused Higgs and his government of spreading misinformation about the title claim.
“The fear mongering needs to stop,” Polchies Jr. said, “Because for the last six years, we’ve been struggling, and especially for the last year, with agreements being pulled underneath us and not allowing us to, to do the good things that we do for our nations.
“We are not taking any land away from home owners, farm owners, anyone that owns land, anyone that owns land here in New Brunswick. We are not taking that away from you.”
In 2021, Higgs announced that a 30 year old deal to share tax revenue collected on reserve would be cancelled. Businesses in First Nations communities agreed to collect taxes if 95 per cent of the money was returned. Nothing replaced it when the tax arrangement expired in 2023.
“We’ve got to ensure that we have a nation and nation relationship,” Polchies Jr. said. “It’s all about the relationship. We didn’t have one with this government. We had a premier that didn’t understand and the history of our Indigenous people.”
The Liberal party’s platform said it would “commit to rebuilding relationships with First Nations based on a nation-to-nation relationship that establishes trust and a shared understanding of treaty obligations.”
The Liberals have also said if they form government they would “renegotiate tax agreements to ensure all parties have a fair deal.”
Polchies Jr. said a number of events are planned in the next few days.
“We’re going to do a blanket ceremony with Susan,” said Polchies Jr. “She understands our issues, our concerns and our trauma.”
Polchies Jr. said an emergency meeting is planned with 15 chiefs to discuss the election.
Holt’s party won 31 seats in the province’s legislature to the Conservatives 16. Higgs lost his seat in the election. The Green party won two seats.
With files from the Canadian Press.
