The province's only First Nation Reserve will be holding it's Annual Tribal Meeting on May 27, 1996. The Annual Tribal Meeting is used as a forum for general consultation with the First Nation members on all matters of concern to the Nation.
Pursuant to the First Nation By-laws, Saqamaw Misel Joe, the Traditional Saqamaw of Taqamkuk (Nfld.) and First Nation Saqamaw of Miawpukek (Conne River) has declared that The Tribal Meeting will begin at 10:00 AM on that date in the Great Hall. An interim agenda has been distributed, and the people have been asked for their suggestions for further additions.
This is an important procedure because the order of business at each Tribal Meeting strictly follows this order:
Reading, amendment and adoption of the agenda.
Presentation, correction and/or adoption of previous Tribal Minutes.
Any other business that appears on the agenda.
First Nation Members know full well, therefore, that in order to have anything discussed at this Tribal Meeting, they have to have it placed on the agenda well in advance of the meeting. Additions to the agenda after the meeting starts can only be made with unanimous consent of all those present.
Tribal Meetings are open to all members of the First Nation as well as "guests" of the Saqamaw.
This will be the last Tribal Meeting of the present Miawpukek Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi. An election for a new First Nation government, will be held in June.
Miawpukek (Conne River) "It is concluded that the access road between Bay D' Espoire Highway and the community of Conne River is by far the worst of the gravel roads monitored with respect to stability of road, alignment, drainage ditches and culverts and erosion. It has longer road restrictions than any other road, and is impassable for unacceptable periods." So says a recent report on the Miawpukek road connection, done for the First Nation Government by Design Management Group Limited, a consulting firm.
Pretty tame words if you ask any resident of the community. The logging road connecting them to the rest of the world gets the best of them during parts of the year. And they continue to be frustrated by the non attention given to their situation by the different provincial governments over the years.
As reported countless times in this paper and others, all efforts by the First Nation Government to have their road improved have been met with little help, or the basic maintenance if any and the passing back and forth of the buck between the Federal and Provincial governments.
This comparison study was initiated by the First Nation government and they paid for it themselves. This past spring they retained Design Management Group to monitor a number of gravel roads in the province and compare their conditions with their road.
Thirteen roads were looked at. Plesantview, Millertown Junction, Middle Arm, Nipper's Harbour, Woodstock/Pacquet, Westport to Purbeck Cove, Ming's Bight, Harry's Harbour/Jackson's Cove/Silverdale, Terra Nova, Winterbrook, Grand Le Pierre, English Harbour East, Monkstown and Miawpukek (Conne River).
In a report cluttered with comparison photos of all the roads studied, the study confirmed what the Mi'kmaw of Miawpukek have been saying all along. Their road has the highest number of closures each year, the longest period of load restrictions, much greater need for culverts and ditching, poor horizontal and vertical alignment and constructed of poor material. "A wood's road" Saqamaw Misel Joe says simply.
To put this in perspective, these conditions are more concentrated around certain parts of the year, mostly Spring and Fall. At the present time, as one resident says, "A fellow could go over the road at 60 or little bit more, but he'd be taking some chances. There's lots of sharp rocks on that road."
The report is now in the hands of the provincial government. The First Nation is hopeful that some assistance will be forthcoming with the new provincial budget, but then "We are always hopeful!" says Saqamaw Misel Joe.
It would seem much simpler if the Provincial Government just gave the community jurisdiction over the road. They have already proven they are capable of doing such work as road construction. If the provincial government did that, then being a reserve, Miawpukek could possible come up with the funding from Ottawa. "That's already been tied," says Saqamaw Misel Joe, "..but we could always try it again…with the new government and all."
An interesting statistic gets little more than a passing glance in the report. Miawpukek (Conne River) is the only community among all those studied "that has a positive population growth." As of to date, 12 % since 1991, up from 3.5% between 1986 and 1991. This compares with a negative growth in all the other communities.
The Miawpukek First Nation Government held it's last official session on May 13. When next they hold a meeting, it may well have new government members.
At present, only government members Rembert Jeddore and Mary Stride have indicated their decision to run for re-election. Mardina Joe says she has yet to make up her mind. Gerard Joe, John N. Jeddore and Saqamaw Misel Joe have yet to indicate their intentions. Shayne McDonald may or may not run, but says he is leaning towards staying out of the political arena for the next two years so as to devote more time to his Government's legal department.
So far no community member has come forward to place their name on the ballot either.
The Miawpukek First Nation is made up of seven Government members and have general elections every two years.
Se'tanewe' Kegnamoqwom's (St. Ann's School) kindergarten students Bryan, Cameron, Curtis, Dawn, Emily Ann, Jacob, Jake, Jenelle, Ninitshetau, Megan, Perry and Trevor graduated on May 21. Dressed in their finest, they paraded into the school gym and lined up on stage. In front of a large gathering consisting of Moms, Dads, Nans, Pops and friends, they sang their ABC's, counted their numbers and sang their nursery rhymes. In their best voices they demonstrated to everyone their confidence, their leadership and a sample of the things that the had learnt. For the parents and grandparents, it was an event as memorable as any. Teary eyed as their child paraded in and holding their breath each time Jacob wheeled Trevor to the front of the stage, they gave the students their full attention throughout the performance. The high school students left their decorations up for the occasion, so the setting was just right for their young relatives' night. Perfect for pictures and a stimulus for future dreams by parents and children alike. The night ended with Thank you's and presentation of flowers by kindergarten teacher, Miss Charlene, to the many people who had supported her and helped her prepare for the event and finally a communal meal for the students and invited guests. Lots of pictures were taken and there were smiles all around. From the students to the parents to those who helped serve as usherettes and waitresses, it was truly a pleasant sight to see.