About NCPEI
Origins
The ancestry for many of Native Council’s members can be traced back to the original descendants of Mi’kmaq Peoples prior to the creation of the Indian Act. The Native Council of PEI was created to provide PEI’s off-reserve Indigenous people a self-governing body to represent their rights, interests, and needs.
The Native Council began its journey to self-government on September 8, 1973, as Local #17 of the New Brunswick Association of Métis and non-Status Indians. On April 1, 1975, the Native Council incorporated as an independent Indigenous Representative Organization on PEI as the PEI Association of Métis and non-Status Indians. On November 23, 1978, the name changed to the Native Council of Prince Edward Island. Each of these milestones is viewed as a step to returning Indigenous Peoples to a state of self-government.
Affiliations
Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council (MAPC) – MAPC is a regional Aboriginal Peoples Leaders Institution established by the Native Council of Nova Scotia, the Native Council of PEI, and the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council. MAPC meets regularly to discuss and advance regional issues affecting the rights, interests, and needs of Indigenous peoples within the three provinces.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) – CAP is the second oldest of Canada’s five National Indigenous Organizations recognized by the Government of Canada. The Native Council is one of CAP’s eleven Provincial/Territorial Organizations represented throughout Canada. CAP meets regularly to advance the rights, interest, and needs of the off-reserve status, non-status Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit of Canada.
Mandate
The Native Council’s full mandate is outlined in its community-adopted Constitution and By-Laws as follows:
1. To aid and assist all off-reserve people of Aboriginal ancestry in Prince Edward Island for the purpose of advancing their general living conditions and achieving a level of self-determination.
2. To work with all levels of government, public and private industry to improve social, educational and employment opportunities for off-reserve Aboriginal peoples in Prince Edward Island.
3. To foster and strengthen Aboriginal languages, cultural identity, traditional practices and pride among Aboriginal peoples of Prince Edward Island.
4. To inform the general public of the special needs of the off-reserve Aboriginal peoples of Prince Edward Island and of their efforts to achieve full participation in self-determination and in the economic, social and political life of the province.
5. To cooperate with all other Aboriginal organizations whose aims are similar to those of the Native Council of Prince Edward Island.
6. To foster and establish a relationship with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council and other Aboriginal groups in dealing with the treaty rights and land claim issues which affect the Mi’kmaq and other Aboriginals of the Native Council of Prince Edward Island.
7. To assist and give a collective voice to the Mi’kmaq and other Aboriginal persons living off reserve in Prince Edward Island.
8. To advocate and hold all levels of government accountable on behalf of the Mi’kmaq and all Aboriginals on Prince Edward Island for treaty rights and land claims.
9. To provide resources and a community setting for the Mi’kmaq and all Aboriginals on Prince Edward Island (off-reserve) in exercising traditional rights, customs and practices.
10. To advocate on behalf of and to give a collective voice to the Mi’kmaq and other Aboriginal person living off reserve in Prince Edward Island, including bringing court proceedings on their behalf.
History of the Native Council of PEI
The arrangement worked well, but as Island membership grew it became clear our population required direct representation. On April 1, 1975, the PEI Association of Métis and non-status Indians formed as an independent group and were incorporated under the Societies Act of Prince Edward Island. On November 23, 1978, the name changed to Native Council of Prince Edward Island. Each of these milestones is viewed as steps in returning Indigenous people to a state of self-government.
Governance Structure of the Council
The Native Council is the self-governing Indigenous body that represents communities from each of the three Zones (Zone 1-Prince County, Zone 2-Queens County, and Zone 3 – Kings County). Each Zone elects two representatives to represent their Zone on the Native Council’s Board of Directors. The Elders Council and Youth Council also elect a representative for the Native Council’s Board of Directors. Each Zone selects delegates (including an Elder and youth) to attend the Native Council’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) to provide direction to the Native Council in the form of motions and resolutions. The President & Chief of the Native Council is also elected at an AGA and serves a four-year term. The Native Council works closely with the Board of Directors and staff of Nanegkam Housing Inc. and L’Nu Fisheries Ltd. as subsidiary organizations.
Mission
The mission of the Native Council is to be the self-governing Indigenous Representative Organization for Indigenous people residing off-reserve across ancestral Mi’kmaq territory in PEI (Epekwitk).
Membership
The heart of the Native Council is its membership that currently exceeds 1050 Indigenous peoples residing off-reserve throughout PEI. The Native Council represents and advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of its off-reserve Status and non-Status Mi’kmaq, Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous Nations on PEI. The Native Council’s membership is open to Indigenous people residing off-reserve, regardless of Nationhood and with a rigorous membership application process. It is estimated by Statistics Canada (2016) that approximately eighty percent—2,230 out of a total of 2,740—of PEI’s Indigenous population currently reside off-reserve. The Native Council represents its over 1050 members and advocates for its 2230 constituents.
Organizational Capacity
The Native Council has over forty-five years of experience in governance and advocacy for the advancement of Indigenous peoples residing off-reserve in PEI. Since 1975, the Native Council has successfully developed and delivered many programs and services to its members and has witnessed the positive impact of grassroots programs meeting the needs of its constituents. The Native Council’s successes and longevity as an Indigenous Representative Organization is a testimony to its ability to comply and administer federal and provincial contribution agreements, capacity projects, and deliver programs and services to its members. Since its establishment, the Native Council has championed wrap-around approaches to provide programs and services that have proven long-term positive effects on community members across several generations.
Tripartite Agreement History and Future
The Native Council has one of the longest standing Tripartite Agreement between an Indigenous Representative Organization and the Federal and Provincial Governments in Canada. For over 20 years, the Native Council’s Tripartite Agreement has provided NCPEI an opportunity to work on three priority areas identified from year to year, including health, housing, education, economic development, and justice to name a few.
Goals
- To aid and assist all off-reserve people of Indigenous ancestry in Prince Edward Island to improve their general living conditions while achieving a level of self-government
- To work with all levels of government, agencies, and private industry to improve social, educational, and employability for off-reserve Indigenous people of Prince Edward Island
- To foster and strengthen language, cultural identity, and pride among Indigenous people in Prince Edward Island
- To inform the public of unique needs facing the off-reserve Indigenous people of Prince Edward Island
- To cooperate with all other Indigenous organizations whose goals are like those of the association
- To foster and establish a relationship with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council and other Indigenous groups in dealing with the treaty rights and land claim issues which affect the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous organizations on the Island
- To assist and give a collective voice to the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous persons living off-reserve in Prince Edward Island
- To advocate and hold all levels of government accountable on behalf of the Mi’kmaq and all Indigenous persons on Prince Edward Island for treaty rights and land claims
- To provide resources and a community setting for the Mi’kmaq and all off-reserve Indigenous persons in exercising traditional rights, customs and practices
- To advocate and give a collective voice to the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous persons living off-reserve in Prince Edward Island, including bringing court proceedings on their behalf