Our Work

Treaty Rights

Treaty Rights

The PEI Office of the Regional Chief is committed to protecting, promoting and enforcing Mi’kmaq treaty rights on Prince Edward Island. These rights are an integral part of who we are as Mi’kmaq people.

Treaty rights are not just legal obligations—they are essential to our Mi’kmaq identity and sovereignty.

Honouring treaty rights helps ensure we, the Mi’kmaq people, can access and control our traditional lands and resources, preserve our cultural identity and uphold our ways of life. These rights also enable us to forge our own destiny by pursuing economic development, building stronger communities, and creating a brighter future for all

The Challenges

Mi’kmaq communities, including Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nation, have faced many challenges, such as:

  • The government not following through on treaty promises.
  • Mi’kmaq voices being left out of important decisions, both provincially and federally.
  • Disputes with the Canadian government over who controls land and natural resources.

What We're Doing

We’re working to make sure our treaty rights are respected by:

  • Partnering with groups like L’nuey to support and amplify their advocacy work.
  • Meeting with government leaders to ensure Mi’kmaq perspectives are taken into account in planning and decision-making activities.
  • Ensuring the public is informed when treaty rights are not being honoured.

Milestones

A big milestone in our advocacy journey was, in fact, the establishment of a Regional Chief for PEI in 2021 and the opening of our office. This has and will continue to give Mi’kmaq people a stronger voice within the AFN and at tables with provincial and federal leaders.