Mi'kmaw chiefs want environmental racism report and recommendations released
Terry Paul says he and other Mi'kmaw chiefs have discussed the matter and while they've not seen the report themselves, they believe making it public is an issue of accountability.
"We agree that that report would be important for the people in Nova Scotia to know so that we can deal with those issues," he told CBC News.
"That government report should be made public."
The creation of the panel and its report was the result of an NDP amendment to a piece of major environmental legislation from the Progressive Conservative government in 2022.
While the report was delivered to the province a year ago, little is known about its contents.
Becky Druhan, the cabinet minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, would not say last month if she'd even read the recommendations.
And while Deputy Premier Barb Adams said in March that the report is being used and shared across government, senior public works officials told a legislature committee earlier this month that they've not seen it.
L'nu Affairs Minister Leah Martin told CBC News on Tuesday that she's seen the report, but she wouldn't share any thoughts on the document.
"I really wouldn't want to take away from what we're here to do today," Martin said following an announcement she made with Paul of almost $900,000 in government support to help Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton respond to the effects of climate change.
Martin did not appear to share Paul's view that the report and its recommendations should be made public.
"The good work was done to inform government and it's done that. So I would say that with that, I respectfully feel like that work has been done in a good way."
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Amidst all the buzz about the future of the Canadian Arctic, some Nunavummiut believe there's one voice missing — the young generation of Inuit who call this land home. Your browser does not support the video tag. Pause By Samuel Wat Jul. 27, 2025 Gazing at the land and water surrounding Apex Beach, Iqaluit's Manu Kunuk reflects on how his home in the Arctic has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions. There's a lot of uncertainty around the world right now, but if there's one thing he's sure about, that's the need for Inuit — and especially youth — to be at the heart of Arctic policy. 'We're the future of the land — we're going to be the next leaders,' he said. Like many Nunavummiut, Kunuk is still trying to learn about the true meaning of Arctic sovereignty, but he believes it starts with protecting the land and the people living on it. From a colonial perspective, sovereignty in Canada's North is often tied to military exercises, major infrastructure projects and defence spending — actions the government takes to show its control of the vast region. Less commonly explored is how Nunavut's communities and the people who live there are already at the heart of Arctic sovereignty. Nolan Qamanirq, from Arctic Bay, doesn't believe there is a word in Inuktitut that truly describes sovereignty, and it's hard to talk about land ownership because his ancestors didn't believe in that. 'The way the term is used today, especially in Ottawa and in places in Iqaluit, it really feels hollow. It's about military presence, mining approvals, transportation corridors. It's really not about what Inuit and communities prioritize,' he said. images expandAlassua Hanson set out on a Students on Ice expedition in the Arctic in 2016. This is one of several avenues she believes helps empower youth to become future leaders. The way the Canadian government is currently trying to reaffirm its borders in the Arctic makes Iqaluit's Alassua Hanson think back to the country's colonial history. 'I find the federal government does control Arctic sovereignty, in a way, because they did try to claim Nunavut before with the missionaries. And Inuit in general were trying to stay on their own land,' she said. These days, Hanson sees an increasing number of meetings, forums and summits about Arctic sovereignty. She believes some of those discussions should also happen inside the classroom and in youth groups. 'I think a lot of youth should be present or should be knowledgeable about ongoing things for Arctic sovereignty. And I don't think a lot of it is taught in school at all,' she said. Giving back to the community Three of Canada's main parties made military announcements in Iqaluit as part of their election campaign blitz earlier this year, but not all of those pledges involved consultation with local leaders. Nunavut's Premier, P.J. Akeeagok said he only learned about the Conservatives' Arctic announcement the day of, and he stressed the importance of consultations. Part of the Liberal government's own announcement in March was to establish three new military hubs in the North, with Iqaluit set to be home to one of them. At the time, the Department of National Defence said the hubs will consist of airstrips, logistics facilities and equipment and are intended to support military aircraft operations and also serve as storage for equipment and spare parts. 'Sovereignty isn't proven by planting a flag or opening a port. It's proven by a community's ability to feed itself, govern itself, and pass on knowledge without interference.' Nolan Qamanirq To many Canadian leaders, Iqaluit is a strategic location for missions in the Arctic. 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Talking about military spending and nation-building infrastructure projects is all well and good, he said, but he wonders where the investment is for youth. 'You're building a house of cards if you're not also investing in youth … they're going to be the ones we need for an upskilled workforce, and the leadership that's needed,' he said. In his view, a big part of youth empowerment comes from investments in education, plus programs to connect with the land and other youth around the world. He said there are more opportunities for youth nowadays compared to when he first founded SOI, but it's imperative that Canada builds on that. 'So engaging with youth from other parts of the world, seeing their worldviews, their knowledge bases, and having those friendships and relationships formed [early] are critical. We need global youth addressing global issues together,' he said. 'It's an investment in experiential education, which is truly one of the most proven and most powerful forms of education.' Kunuk echoes that sentiment, having been a delegate to international forums in the past, including to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland last year. 'It really opens the doors for me, especially being here in Nunavut, in an isolated community and territory,' he said. images expandFor Manu Kunuk, Arctic sovereignty means ensuring the people living in the region are healthy and well. No flag or port can replace true sovereignty Ultimately, Qamanirq believes Arctic sovereignty can only exist if Canada recognizes the true priorities of northern communities. 'Sovereignty isn't proven by planting a flag or opening a port," he said. 'It's proven by a community's ability to feed itself, govern itself, and pass on knowledge without interference.' 'I don't think we need more youth leadership programs that teach us how to behave like bureaucrats. We need more programs that teach us our rights in our language, that explain what was negotiated in the land claims and what was left out," he added. Qamanirq also calls on Canada to be more open to partnerships with other countries in the circumpolar world, who share similar interests and challenges. 'If there was a serious attitude about sovereignty in the Arctic, [Canada] would let Inuit strengthen ties across the Arctic without forcing national policy filters. These connections are older than the borders and we shouldn't have to ask permission to remember them.' About the Author Footer Links My Account Profile CBC Gem Newsletters Connect with CBC Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Mobile RSS Podcasts Contact CBC Submit Feedback Help Centre Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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