The New Tobique First Nation
Our goals and objectives are designed to meet the social, economic, cultural, and political needs of
current and future generations of Tobique. Our goals and objectives are as follows:
ACCOUNTABILITY (FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council and its administration
should be legally obligated to disclose financial transactions for all programs, services and initiatives. In
addition, we agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should meet on a
weekly basis and sponsor monthly community meetings.
FAIRNESS (APPOINTMENTS, RESOURCES)
We agree with the majority of community members that all full-time positions and contracts should be
open for competition. We also agree with the majority of community members that financial resources
should benefit all community members.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should consult with the
community on major issues effecting current and future generations. We can accomplish this objective
by establishing various committees involving interested community members. Each council member will
be asked to chair a specific committee established to generate discussion and offer recommendations
to the Chief and Council.
ELDER INITIATIVES
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should establish a Council
of Elders. We need to acknowledge and recognize the knowledge and wisdom of our Elders by involving
them in policy and program development. The Council of Elders will play an active role in Chief and
Council meetings.
YOUTH INITIATIVES (AGES 6-18)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should give priority to the
development and implementation of activities designed to develop their individual talents, traditional
leadership skills, and cultural pride. Our youth should have access to organized recreational activities,
social/cultural clubs, exchange programs, extra-curricular activities, and adequate facilities.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (ENTREPRENEURS, COMMUNITY BUSINESSES)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should support private
businesses (individual entrepreneurs) in Tobique. This approach will create numerous jobs for
community members. Community businesses should also be supported but we need to develop an
alternative approach to current TEDCO practices.
"TEDCO is currently draining our resources and we therefore have to explore an alternative economic
development models such as the Co-Operative model."
TOBIQUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should dissolve or
terminate the current corporate structure (board of directors) of TEDCO because it fails to meet the
economic development needs of all community members. It does not support Tobique entrepreneurs
and it seems to be more of a private club (board of directors) rather than a community-based initiative. If
necessary, a new corporation will be established to reflect increased community representation and to
ensure that the corporation is accountable to its shareholders, the people of Tobique.
CONVENIENCE STORE
We agree with the majority of community members that the convenience store should adopt a “credit
system” based on weekly purchases by community members. Consumers will be allowed to cash in
their “credits” during the Christmas season. We should also adopt a “profit-sharing incentive” that will
allow the employees to receive bonuses based on various levels of profits.
GAS BAR INITIATIVES
We agree with the majority of community members that the Tobique gas bar should pass on the total PST
exemption of 14.5 cents per liter to the motorists of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique. The Chief and Council
should not apply for refunds on behalf of individual members.
CASINO
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council, in consultations with the
people, should develop guidelines for fair distribution of revenues to community programs, initiatives and
individuals. Everyone should receive a share of the profits and these shares should be distributed two
weeks before Christmas of each year. We should also adopt a “profit-sharing incentive” that will allow
casino employees to receive bonuses based on various levels of profits. We also agree that the Casino
should have monthly financial reports available for review by members of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique.
JOB CREATION
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council and its administrators
should always give job creation high priority. The Chief and Council will create new jobs through private
business and adoption of new approaches to community-owned businesses. We will continue to access
Tobique Works as well as all federally funded positions.
FISHERIES
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council, in consultation with the
fishermen, should give a higher percentage of profits to our local fishermen. A committee consisting of
Chief and Council representatives, fishermen and interested community members will be established to
develop guidelines that address fisheries issues. Furthermore, the Chief and Council should always give
priority to our own Native captains.
FORESTRY
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council, in consultation with the
loggers, should give a higher percentage of profits to our loggers. A committee consisting of Chief and
Council representatives, loggers and interested community members will be established to develop
guidelines that address forestry agreement issues, fees charged, and distribution of stumpage fees to
community programs, initiatives, and individual members of Tobique.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should support all students
attending Mahsos School, Andover Elementary School, Andover Middle School, and Southern Victoria
High School. Scholarship and incentive programs should be made available as well as initiatives
designed to demonstrate community recognition of outstanding academic achievements. We also agree
that transportation services should be provided for those students attending Andover Elementary
School. We respect the right of parents to choose the education they want for their children.
POST-SECONDARY SUPPORT
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should establish a
committee consisting of representatives of the Chief and Council, administrators, students and
interested community members to review topics such as allowances, academic supports, summer
employment, communication issues, incentive and scholarship programs. In addition, the local
government, administration, and community members should recognize outstanding academic students.
MAWIW
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should remain within the
Mawiw Council. The three largest First Nations of New Brunswick need to unite and demonstrate political
strength in addressing forestry, fishery, moose hunting, woodcutting and land claims issues. It is critical
that we send a powerful message to federal and provincial governments that the Mawiw Council will not
agree with any initiative that jeopardizes or restricts our Aboriginal rights.
MOOSE HUNTING
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should reject the proposed
provincial regulations limiting our right to hunt. The Chief and Council, in consultations with local hunters
and interested community members, will develop guidelines addressing this issue.
WOODCUTTING ON CROWN LAND
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should reject the proposed
provincial regulations limiting our right to cut wood on crown land. The Chief and Council, in consultation
with our local loggers and interested community members, will develop guidelines addressing this issue.
REBATES (HST, GAS SALES, TOBACCO SALES)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council, in consultation with the
people of Tobique, should develop guidelines for fair distribution of rebates to community programs,
initiatives and individuals.
LAND ISSUES (COMPREHENSIVE AND SPECIFIC)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should aggressively
pursue both comprehensive and specific claims. The Joshua Bernard case provides a powerful weapon
for a comprehensive claim and it is my view that the Maliseet Nation at Tobique still has legal title to the
original 18,000 acres of land set aside by the colonial government in 1801. This parcel of land includes
Tobique Narrows and Perth.
THIRD GENERATION CHILDREN
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should support our “third
generation” children who are in need of programs and services. We believe that the Chief and Council
have the authority to define our membership rather than the Department of Indian Affairs. Third
generation children are members of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique and therefore require the support by
the local government and its administration.
HOUSING/REPAIRS
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should ensure that all
requests are acknowledged, discussed and reviewed by Council. Housing repair needs will be assessed
by home visits from administrators and Council members who will subsequently submit
recommendations to the Chief and Council. All requests will be treated fairly.
OFF-RESERVE RESIDENTS
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should recognize “off-
reserve” residents as community members and assist those who are experiencing hardship or family
emergencies. Most community members are off-reserve not by choice but they are forced to leave
Tobique due to lack of housing or employment opportunities.
POLICING SERVICES
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should ensure the safety of
community members in general and Elders in particular. We need to strive for a community where
everyone feels safe, secure and protected. In our objective to achieve a safe and secure environment,
the Chief and Council should review the existing agreement with the RCMP to discuss implementation
issues and concerns expressed by community members.
NB POWER INITIATIVE (ELECTRICITY)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should explore the
possibility of the administration paying the electrical bills for all housing units in Tobique. Potential
sources of funding for this initiative is the HST refund, stumpage fees, gas sales rebates, tobacco sales
rebates and the casino.
NB POWER ISSUES (EROSION, TOXIC WASTE SITE, POWER LINE)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should take an aggressive
approach in forcing NB Power to address unsafe, dangerous, and hazardous conditions caused by
erosion, toxic waste sites near the Tobique Dam and the spraying of agent orange at the power line. It is
our view that NB Power is legally obligated to take immediate action on these issues.
ADMINISTRATIVE ATTITUDES (ELDERS)
We agree with the majority of community members that the Chief and Council should ensure that its
administrators would always show respect to our Elders. Members of the Chief and Council and its
administrators should take the time to visit our Elders.
A community
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Voices No. 12
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