Mi'kmaq Matters

Several candidates raised the issue of "cumulative affects" in the recent band election -- development projects are not one-offs but things that affect everyone and everything present and future. We learn more from Camille Ouellet Dallaire, Program Chair, Environment and Sustainability at Grenfell Campus, and talk about the need to replace to 20-year old NL environment act.

Don't blame us, says third-party contractor. Meanwhile, at least one band member plans to lodge appeal to get election overturned.

Re-elected chief Jenny Brake will have more friendlies, but there might be a way to marshal some land-and-water consciousness even on this council, especially with Charlie White in the pivotal role of Western Vice-Chief. Plus: what happened to Byron Alexander?

Face to face with Byron Alexander, whose campaign platform of land and water defence and assertion of rights stands in sharp contrast to chiefs of Qalipu First Nation who have gone before.

Charlie White and Jeffrey Young are both from the Bay St. George area, a welcome antidote to the Corner Brook domination of the Qalipu First Nation leadership.

This week: We look at the thin line between band affairs and self-interest, and we begin our candidate interviews with Charlene Combdon, vying for Central Vice-Chief.

Nominations open for those who want to serve on a First Nation that has been divided, dysfunctional and disconnected from communities and their concerns.

This week: highlights from the Enviro Watch NL online forum, featuring Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins, authors of Salmon Wars: The Dark Underbelly of Our Favorite Fish; Bob Chamberlin, chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance; and Neville Crabbe of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. The event was moderated by Enviro Watch co-chairs Tara Manuel and Glenn Wheeler.