The We’koqma’q First Nation in Cape Breton has decided to accept a $125-million land settlement from the federal government.
“It’s a long time coming,” said Mi’kmaq lawyer and educator Jarvis Googoo, who grew up in We’koqma’q.
The settlement came out of four decades of negotiations over more than 160 hectares of land that were taken over by the neighbouring community of Whycocomagh in the 1860s.
“It’s a nice payout for individual band members, especially with the holidays coming up,” Googoo said. “And the other thing that I like, too, is having some money set aside as a trust for economic development opportunities there.”
Mi’kmaq heritage advocate Jeff Ward calls it an act of reconciliation, noting it could also set a precedent for other First Nations communities to seek similar compensation.
“You’re going to see more and more of this, too, as well,” Ward said. “In order to have reconciliation, you must know the truth. …