Land Decolonized Podcast

Rose Paul, Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia Ep.23

May 12, 2021 First Nation Land Management Resource Centre Season 1 Episode 23
Land Decolonized Podcast
Rose Paul, Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia Ep.23
Show Notes

This week Richard sits down close to home with Rose Paul of Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia. Paqtnkek is currently a developmental community that is looking to have its land code ratification vote in the fall of 2021. Rose has walked her community through the process by engaging with many other communities and taking up many of the available options for self-government, all while planning for land management implementation and building a strong economic foundation for her community along the way.


SHOW NOTES

:30   Richard's intro of Rose Paul, the driving force behind the land code process at Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation, 23 km east of Antigonish in Nova Scotia.

2:25   Rose describes how she got excited about the opportunities from the framework agreement and meeting with Robert Louie, chair.

3:30   Rose took Band staff and councillors to other Atlantic communities adopting the land code. They shared similar struggles with the Indian Act.

5:34
   She says the key benefit is taking control of the systems to protect the environment and sacred sites while also planning for future development for seven generations.

7:32   A government letter that denied commercial development on the Band land across the highway continues to motive Rose. It spurred her on to confronting an unfair system.

10:12.   Rose describes what now exists on land once forbidden - a $14 million travel centre that houses nine business entities with plans for more.

12:45   Rose credits sister First Nations with helping her along and introducing her to other national players such as the tax commission, finance authority, financial management board and others that work so well together. Great things began to happen once introduced to the land code process.

19:14   Rose really enjoys hearing the stories from this podcast series and is using it to reach out to others across Canada. She commends other communities for joining the process.

20:46   She has a bold vision for the next 7-10 years if the community ratifies the land code. Plans include a potential hotel, business centre, residential development, energy partnerships and other joint ventures operating at the speed of business.

23:25   Huge props to the resource centre team for their support and encouragement!

23:57   Richard's closing and thanks for making us #4 last month in the Apple Podcast rankings for Non-Profits in Canada!

LINKS
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation
Bayside Travel Centre at Paqtnkek
Rose Paul's email: ceo@baysidecorporate.com