Senator PJ Prosper Visits Listuguj
Earlier this month, Listuguj received a visit from Senator Paul J (PJ) Prosper. The visit was facilitated by the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat (MMS) and consisted of a meeting with MMS and the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s (LMG) leadership. The day ended with a tour of the community. Senator Prosper is currently taking part in a “listening tour” all over Canada where he is visiting various Mi’kmaq/Mi’gmaq communities and listening to the issues and challenges they continue to face. Senator Prosper was joined by the Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Claudine Santos.
Senator Prosper is from Paqtnkek (Afton) Mi’kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia. He is a practicing lawyer with over 25 years of Indigenous legal experience. He is the former Chief of Paqtnkek, where he served for seven years. He was then elected as Regional Chief, where he represented all Chiefs in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland with the Assembly of First Nations. His role as Senator is a new one, having been appointed in September 2023. When it comes to his position, he said, “We deal with a lot of laws before they actually become laws. They usually come to us as a bill, which is a draft law, and then it goes through the parliamentary process.” Senator Prosper sits on several committees and boards, such as the Indigenous Peoples Committee and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. In terms of leadership, the Senator practices the 7 Sacred Teachings: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth.
The meeting was held at the Natural Resources building. An opening prayer was done by Elder Dennis Gedeon. Opening remarks were made by Interim Executive Director of MMS, Chasitity Mitchell, and Chief Scott Martin. Chief Martin raised issues and concerns within the community. Senator Proser and Santos took note and offered assistance regarding useful tools and information on federal funding options for Indigenous peoples.
The tour started with a stop at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School where the Senator was greeted by the Youth Chief and Council Leadership and Treaty Education. Senator Prosper toured the school with stops in the Ceremony Room, Mi’gmaq Immersion classrooms, and the Outdoor Education building. During his visit to the Ceremony Room, the Youth Chief and Council Leadership asked the Senator a number of questions regarding his role in the Senate, leadership, and reconciliation. When it comes to the youth representing the future, Senator Prosper said, “People will always have their perceptions of who Mi’kmaq people are, what we do, and how we are the way we are. You cannot build anything that has any real value and meaning without the involvement of youth.”
The next stop was at the new Waqatasg Elders Facility where the tour was led by CEO Bassem Abdrabou, and facility administrator Rheal Raymond.
Other stops on the tour included new and upcoming developments in Listuguj, such as the police station, housing developments (Listuguj Hills), Listuguj gardens, and the Turtle Lodge.
Senator Prosper was highly impressed with Listuguj. It was an honour to have him visit the community and meet with leadership, staff, and community members.
Wela’lioq to MMS for making this visit possible!
By Ann Marie Jacques
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