1. NB Chiefs Require Restraint by Authorities and Unequivocally Support
the Call for “Peaceful and Law-Abiding Demonstrations” by Elsipogtog
First Nation Chief Aaron Sock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREDERICTON
Eel Ground First Nation Chief George Ginnish and Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Chief Joanna
Bernard, the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik co-chairs of the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New
Brunswick, have called for restraint by the police, government and SWN Resources. They are requesting
those groups to respect the protesters and their concerns about development and exploration of shale
gas in the province including seismic testing. "The Assembly is very concerned how the various
authorities respond to people's heartfelt concerns,” said Chief Ginnish. "We must all respect the earth and
we must all act to ensure everyone remains safe," he stated.
The Assembly co-chairs also called for calm, and peaceful demonstrations from all parties opposed to the
exploration activities, “The Chiefs of the Assembly were moved by Chief Aaron Sock’s call for calm
among demonstrators last week when protests escalated.” said Chief George Ginnish.
On Thursday, June 6, 2013 Elsipogtog First Nation Chief Aaron Sock issued a press release to the media
calling for peaceful protests. In that release Chief Aaron stated:
"It is the Mi'kmaq peoples' connection to the land and Mother Earth that is sacred. It is the source
of our great resolve that has sustained ourselves as a Peoples since time immemorial," Sock
said.
"We have asserted and court-established rights to the land and with these rights comes a
responsibility to ensure our territory is protected for future generations," he said.
"We must never be afraid to raise our voice to protect our rights and interests, yet we must have
the resolve to do so peacefully. This is the spirit and intent of the Treaties that our ancestors had
the wisdom to contemplate and these values must be respected."
“People have valid concerns for the sanctity of our Treaties and the protection of the environment. We
must all work peacefully together as partners to achieve those goals," said Chief Joanna Bernard. She
concluded, “The Assembly echoes the words of Chief Aaron and unequivocally support his call for
peaceful, law abiding demonstrations.”
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Media contact: Mike Girard, Communications Adviser, 1-506-999-6431, Michael.girard.nb@gmail.com