NS: Agreement facilitates consultation between Mi’kmaq, government
By Jason Malloy, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Truro Daily News, Sep. 1/10
[MILLBROOK, NS] – An agreement years in the making was signed yesterday providing the framework for the federal and provincial governments to consult with Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq on projects and activities.
Canada’s Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy signed what was called a “historic”, “landmark” and “precedent-setting” agreement.
“Since 2007 the pilot terms of reference have been adjusted and refined and today they have been signed by every Mi’kmaq chief, by myself, by the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada,” Dexter says. “It’s a great moment. An achievement of which we can all be very proud for a number of reasons.”
He says it is a “unique” agreement in Canada because it’s the first of its kind that includes all First Nations within a province. In 2002, the three parties signed an umbrella agreement, which included negotiating the terms of reference for a consultation process.
“The term of reference provides an essential component to the discussion of land and resources in the province. Foremost it provides a process to allow people to come together and discuss common issues and concerns,” says Membertou Chief Terry Paul. “Although it does not guarantee that a consensus will emerge between the Mi’kmaq and the government, it does, however, provide a place where we can build trust and develop or improve our relationship.”
Chief Gerard Julian, co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs, says the Mi’kmaq involvement must be more than “window dressing” to items that have already been approved by government.
“A meaningful role for the Mi’kmaq in consultations means that our involvement matters and that views and opinions are taken into account,” he says. “It also means our concerns are substantially addressed throughout the consultation process.”
Tuesday’s signing is part of broader negotiations to resolve outstanding questions relating to Aboriginal and treaty rights and self-government.
“I’ve often said we’re caught in a chain of treaties our ancestors signed in the 1700s. Every benefit we’ve got, that are caught in the chain of treaties, we had to resort to court action,” says Millbrook Chief Lawrence Paul.
In the 2004 Haida and Taku River decisions, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the federal and provincial governments have a legal duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate when government conduct may adversely impact established or potential Aboriginal or treaty rights.
“But now with the Made in Nova Scotia Process… we can sit down and discuss the benefits of our treaties,” Paul says.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Money for Organic Farming
NS: Feds give $6.5M to support growth of organic farming
By Jason Malloy, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Truro Daily News, September 2, 2010
[BIBLE HILL, NS] — Canadian scientists will collaborate during the next two-and-a-half years to try to develop more efficient and profitable processes for organic farmers.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the $6.5-million investment Wednesday morning at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill. Industry is also contributing $2.2 million towards the project.
“We’ve got lots of work to do. Now we can do it,” said Ralph Martin, founding director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada located on the NSAC campus.
He explained the organic science cluster has identified 10 sub projects to undertake. Those sub projects include 30 research activities to be conducted by 50 researchers and 30 collaborators at 45 institutions in nine provinces across the country. Research will focus on things like soil fertility, greenhouse production, dairy production systems, parasite control and food processing.
“We’re bringing the best and the brightest together from academia … government and industry to get them all rowing in the same direction and ultimately help grow the markets for our organic producers,” Ritz said. “By collaborating in this way we get a bigger bang for our research buck and better and faster results for our producers.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced $6.5 million for organic farming Wednesday in Bible Hill. The announcement was made in the orchard at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. — Jason Malloy, Truro Daily News photo
Martin estimated about 20 per cent of the funds would be spent at the Bible Hill centre.
Thirty years ago some people considered farmers who talked about organic products as outsiders, fringe groups or hippies. But it has grown to be accepted and demanded by consumers across the country and around the world.
“There’s no question the long-term outlook is bright, with the increasing consumer demands for foods that enhance their health and the environment,” Ritz said.
He added in the past two years, Canadians have increased their spending on organic products by $800 million to $2 billion last year.
“That’s tremendous market growth and it’s something that this government wants to support because we know when farmers succeed the whole economy benefits,” Ritz said.
The research results are also expected to benefit conventional farmers as well.
By Jason Malloy, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Truro Daily News, September 2, 2010
[BIBLE HILL, NS] — Canadian scientists will collaborate during the next two-and-a-half years to try to develop more efficient and profitable processes for organic farmers.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the $6.5-million investment Wednesday morning at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill. Industry is also contributing $2.2 million towards the project.
“We’ve got lots of work to do. Now we can do it,” said Ralph Martin, founding director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada located on the NSAC campus.
He explained the organic science cluster has identified 10 sub projects to undertake. Those sub projects include 30 research activities to be conducted by 50 researchers and 30 collaborators at 45 institutions in nine provinces across the country. Research will focus on things like soil fertility, greenhouse production, dairy production systems, parasite control and food processing.
“We’re bringing the best and the brightest together from academia … government and industry to get them all rowing in the same direction and ultimately help grow the markets for our organic producers,” Ritz said. “By collaborating in this way we get a bigger bang for our research buck and better and faster results for our producers.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced $6.5 million for organic farming Wednesday in Bible Hill. The announcement was made in the orchard at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. — Jason Malloy, Truro Daily News photo
Martin estimated about 20 per cent of the funds would be spent at the Bible Hill centre.
Thirty years ago some people considered farmers who talked about organic products as outsiders, fringe groups or hippies. But it has grown to be accepted and demanded by consumers across the country and around the world.
“There’s no question the long-term outlook is bright, with the increasing consumer demands for foods that enhance their health and the environment,” Ritz said.
He added in the past two years, Canadians have increased their spending on organic products by $800 million to $2 billion last year.
“That’s tremendous market growth and it’s something that this government wants to support because we know when farmers succeed the whole economy benefits,” Ritz said.
The research results are also expected to benefit conventional farmers as well.
Labels:
organing farming Canada
Another Town Readies for Earl
NS: Boat owners and operators prepare for wrath of Earl
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The News, September 2, 2010
[PICTOU, NS] — Pictures of the submerged and mangled boats left in hurricane Earl’s wake don’t have local boat owners and operators too concerned.
Most of Pictou County’s harbours and wharves are well sheltered and there has been little damage in the past, local experts say.
“There’s always potential for damage, but you can only prepare for so much and then hope for the best,” says Ronnie Heighton, Northumberland Fisherman’s Association president.
Most local fisherman will be putting out some extra ropes and perhaps some inflatable fenders to keep boats from coming in contact with anything else. Few people if any will bother taking their boats out of the water, he said.
“The vast majority of us are ready to fish herring,” he said. “We wouldn’t be inclined to take them out of the water.”
About 100 boats are docked at the Pictou Marina. There’s no way everybody could get them out in two days, but few are even talking about doing that, says marina manager Dave Edy.
“We’re just praying it doesn’t come through very much,” he says.
The Pictou Harbour is one of the most sheltered in the area, though, and has never had a major problem with storms in the past, Edy said.
Donald Cormier, vice president of operations and safety manager for the Northumberland Ferries, said they continue to keep a close eye as the storm approaches.
“It’s early yet, but obviously it’s a severe weather storm that’s moving in this direction,” he said.
Ferry service will be shut down if the storm is severe enough. “It really depends on the wind direction and how strong the winds are.”
The captain of the ferry is the one who makes the final call about whether it’s safe to sail.
“Those decision are made with due regard to the safety of our customers,” Cormier said.
Winds cause the biggest problem when the ferry is trying to dock.
“That’s why wind direction is a large consideration in sailing conditions,” he said.
If the ferry does shut down additional mooring lines will be put out and the crew will remain on board to make sure it’s safe.
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The News, September 2, 2010
[PICTOU, NS] — Pictures of the submerged and mangled boats left in hurricane Earl’s wake don’t have local boat owners and operators too concerned.
Most of Pictou County’s harbours and wharves are well sheltered and there has been little damage in the past, local experts say.
“There’s always potential for damage, but you can only prepare for so much and then hope for the best,” says Ronnie Heighton, Northumberland Fisherman’s Association president.
Most local fisherman will be putting out some extra ropes and perhaps some inflatable fenders to keep boats from coming in contact with anything else. Few people if any will bother taking their boats out of the water, he said.
“The vast majority of us are ready to fish herring,” he said. “We wouldn’t be inclined to take them out of the water.”
About 100 boats are docked at the Pictou Marina. There’s no way everybody could get them out in two days, but few are even talking about doing that, says marina manager Dave Edy.
“We’re just praying it doesn’t come through very much,” he says.
The Pictou Harbour is one of the most sheltered in the area, though, and has never had a major problem with storms in the past, Edy said.
Donald Cormier, vice president of operations and safety manager for the Northumberland Ferries, said they continue to keep a close eye as the storm approaches.
“It’s early yet, but obviously it’s a severe weather storm that’s moving in this direction,” he said.
Ferry service will be shut down if the storm is severe enough. “It really depends on the wind direction and how strong the winds are.”
The captain of the ferry is the one who makes the final call about whether it’s safe to sail.
“Those decision are made with due regard to the safety of our customers,” Cormier said.
Winds cause the biggest problem when the ferry is trying to dock.
“That’s why wind direction is a large consideration in sailing conditions,” he said.
If the ferry does shut down additional mooring lines will be put out and the crew will remain on board to make sure it’s safe.
Cultural Centre in Bear River
Hi everyone
The Bear River First Nation Heritage & Cultural Center is open once again for its 2010 season. This year we are offering a great Autumn Student Package for students a bit of the old and a twist of the new.
We are offering a New Environmental Games as part of our Student Package this year which we hope will be a big hit with the students!
This year we are offering our Autumn Student Package
COST: ($10.00 per Student)
Activities Include:
Admission to the Centre
A Guided Tour Of our Artifact Gallery which houses artifacts dating 4,500 years
A Guided Nature Walk on our Medicine Trail (learn about the
Natural medicines used by the Mi’kmaq people)
Create either a Traditional Deer-Hide Bracelet OR
Design a unique Traditional Talking Stick (NEW)
· Environmental Game (NEW)
· Birchbark Canoe Presentation
· Students will learn a Traditional Song
· Students will learn a Traditional Dance
· Traditional Sharing Circle
· Traditional Drumming by our Interpreters
Call today to book YOUR class.
(902) 467-0301
E-mail: brfnculturalcenter@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Website: www.bearriverculturalcenter.com
Respectfully
Wanda Finigan
The Bear River First Nation Heritage & Cultural Center is open once again for its 2010 season. This year we are offering a great Autumn Student Package for students a bit of the old and a twist of the new.
We are offering a New Environmental Games as part of our Student Package this year which we hope will be a big hit with the students!
This year we are offering our Autumn Student Package
COST: ($10.00 per Student)
Activities Include:
Admission to the Centre
A Guided Tour Of our Artifact Gallery which houses artifacts dating 4,500 years
A Guided Nature Walk on our Medicine Trail (learn about the
Natural medicines used by the Mi’kmaq people)
Create either a Traditional Deer-Hide Bracelet OR
Design a unique Traditional Talking Stick (NEW)
· Environmental Game (NEW)
· Birchbark Canoe Presentation
· Students will learn a Traditional Song
· Students will learn a Traditional Dance
· Traditional Sharing Circle
· Traditional Drumming by our Interpreters
Call today to book YOUR class.
(902) 467-0301
E-mail: brfnculturalcenter@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Website: www.bearriverculturalcenter.com
Respectfully
Wanda Finigan
Labels:
Bear River Cultural Centre
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