Native Council of Nova Scotia facts for kids

The Native Council of Nova Scotia is an organization that helps about 25,000 Mi'kmaq and other Indigenous peoples in Nova Scotia. These are people who do not live on special lands called reserves, or who are not officially recognized as "Status Indians" by the government. The Council works to make their lives better in many ways. This includes helping with their social life, their jobs, and their voice in government decisions.

The main office of the Native Council is in Truro. They also have offices in other towns like Sydney, Nova Scotia, Liverpool, Dartmouth, Digby, and Coldbrook. The Council also gives out its own identity cards to its members.

Who the Council Represents

In 2016, a census showed that over 51,000 people in Nova Scotia said they were Indigenous. However, fewer than 19,000 of them were officially recognized as "Status Indians." Many Indigenous people choose to live away from reserves, often moving to cities like Halifax. They do this to find better schools, jobs, or other chances to improve their lives.

When people live off-reserve, they are often not part of the 13 official Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia. This means they might not be included in important discussions. For example, they might not be asked for their opinion on decisions about natural resources or the environment. They can also lose some of their traditional rights, like land and hunting rights.

Important Court Decisions

A big court decision in 2016, called the Daniels decision, was very important. It said that Indigenous people who are not "Status Indians" still have legal rights under Canada's Constitution of 1867. This decision meant that the government should treat them as "Indians" under the law.

After this ruling, it became clearer that changes would need to happen. The Native Council of Nova Scotia has been working hard to make sure these changes happen. They want to see real improvements in how their members get important services. This includes better access to health care, education, and even rights for commercial fishing.

Programs and Support

The Native Council of Nova Scotia runs different programs to help its members. These programs focus on improving their lives and giving them new opportunities.

Helping Youth Find Jobs

One program was called Helping Prepare for Employment/Education (HYPE). It started in 2017 and helped young Indigenous people. The program offered workshops to teach them job skills. It also helped them find places to work and gain experience.

Another project was called Collective Impact for Inclusive Youth Employment (CIIYE). This project finished in December 2023. It was funded by the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. This project also helped young people get ready for jobs. It provided training and helped them find work placements in businesses across Nova Scotia. The project also worked with employers to create workplaces that were welcoming and respectful of Indigenous cultures.

Healthy Living Initiatives

The Council also supports programs that encourage healthy eating. These programs help members learn about good nutrition and make healthy food choices.

The Council's Voice in Government

The Native Council of Nova Scotia is active in politics. They speak up for the rights and needs of their members.

Protecting the Environment

The Council is against a method of getting oil and gas called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." They believe this method can harm the environment. They work to protect the land and water in Nova Scotia.

Fighting for Rights

After the Daniels court ruling, the Council has been pushing both the federal and provincial governments. They want to negotiate real changes for their members. This includes better access to social services, education, and health care. They also want to ensure their members have fair access to commercial fishing rights, which was an important issue in the Marshall case.