Press Release
By Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (The Assembly of Mi’kmaw Chiefs)
November 30, 2021

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2021

Assembly Assess Future of Owl’s Head Provincial Park

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) has long been concerned with the potential sale of lands at Owl’s Head Provincial Park, a 267.62 ha parcel of Crown land located near Little Harbour and Clam Harbour, Halifax County. The lands were to be sold for use as a golf course to Lighthouse Links, however, on November 23, 2021, the company issued a statement withdrawing from the 2019 Letter of Offer from the Province, effectively ending the proposed project at Owl’s Head.

The Assembly has always had very serious concerns about potential impacts to Mi’kmaw archaeological heritage and our Mi’kmaw and Aboriginal Rights at Owl’s Head, where there are already six known and recorded Mi’kmaw archaeological sites.

“The Assembly has maintained opposition to the proposed sale and development of this land,” said Chief Leroy Denny, Lead of Lands and Parks for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. “While we are relieved to hear that the project is no longer going through, we still want an archaeological investigation done at the Park before any other discussions or decisions are made about the future of Owl’s Head.”

When the Assembly expressed their wishes to formally consult on the proposed sale of Crown land under the Terms of Reference for a Mikmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Consultation Process, in January 2020, there was an expectation of extensive consultation on multiple issues that are concerning to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia.

“Ideally, we want to see the property returned to lands protected under the Parks and Protected Areas Plan as originally designated,” continued Chief Denny. “We want to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again for any other properties under this Plan.”

The Parks and Protected Areas Plan was created in collaboration with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, and the Assembly feels that there needs to be explicit communication with the Mi’kmaq before any lands designated for protection are removed.

“Protecting potential Mi’kmaw cultural resources and archaeology sites will always be important to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. Our concerns are valid, and the Mi’kmaq must be consulted if any further considerations for development on these lands are made, said Chief Denny.”

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Media contact:
Crystal Dorey
Communication Manager
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office P: 902-843-3880
cdorey@mikmaqrights.com

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