THC Renaming of Place Names GNB letter

January 19, 2022

Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace

Marysville Place

P. O. Box 6000

Fredericton, NB

E3B 5H1

Dear Minister Scott-Wallace:

Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI) has been trying for several years to discuss changing the place names that we feel are derogatory and offensive with the Government of New Brunswick. In a November 9th, 2021, CBC article titled ‘N.B. stuck with racial slur in 7 place names pending procedural review’, it states there is a proposed process being developed to address these place names. Before a process is finalized, we would ask that we be able to review the proposed process and provide suggestions and advice to ensure it is smooth and inclusive.

On several occasions over the past five years, our negotiators have identified restoring Mi’gmaq place names as an issue to advance at the Trilateral negotiation table through your department and Aboriginal Affairs. We have attached a copy of our Language, Heritage and Culture Paper which was prepared in response to interest papers prepared by your department and the federal government. This paper was tabled in July 2017 and to date, there has been little to no movement on the recommendations outlined in the paper. There are several initiatives in that document that we may be able advance together.

We hope you agree and will deem this initiative a priority within your department and understand that we need to be involved in the developing the process.

If you or your staff would like to discuss the process and the attached paper and its contents in more detail, please contact Tracy Cloud at tracyanne@migmawel.org.

We look forward to your response to this letter.

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Chief George Ginnish

Co-Chair

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Chief Rebecca Knockwood

Co- Chair