Norman Sylliboy
Norman Sylliboy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 11th Grand Chief of the Mi'kmaq | |
| In office 1 August 2019 – present | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Kji Saqmaw Sylliboy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cape Breton Island,  Nova Scotia |
| Nationality | Canadian  |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Spouse |
Arlene Sylliboy (m. 1982) |
| Children |
|
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Gabriel Sylliboy (grandfather) |
| Occupation | Social worker |
Norman Sylliboy is the 11th Grand Chief or Kji-Saqmaw of the Mi'kmaq Nation. The Mi’kmaq traditional government is known as Sante' Mawio’mi or Grand Council.
Sylliboy was elected in 2019, two years after the death of his predecessor, Ben Sylliboy. Norman Sylliboy's grandfather Gabriel Sylliboy was elected in 1918 to the position of Grand Chief.[1]
Early life
[edit]Sylliboy was born at a Eskasoni First Nation reserve in Unamaꞌki (Cape Breton Island) to a Mi'kmaq family filled with culture and traditions. His family owned the first store in over forty years on the island Mniku in Potlotek.[1] Before becoming Grand Chief of Mi’kmaq, he worked as a social worker and worked for Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services of Nova Scotia.[1]
Political career
[edit]Sylliboy was selected as Grand Chief of the Mi’kmaq on 1 August 2019, succeeding his father, Ben, who died two years prior.[2] The selection for Grand Chief took place in St. Anne's Mission at Potlotek First Nation, Chapel Island, Nova Scotia.[3] The selection process included several rounds of selection until the council unanimously elected Sylliboy.[2]
"I want to thank Niskkam (God-Creator). Thank the Grand Council for having faith in me and I want to thank all my family and their family in me. I want to thank Mi’kmaq Nation, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and everyone one of you."
Response to COVID-19
[edit]As Grand Chief, along with then-Chief Paul Prosper of the Paqꞌtnkek First Nation and then-Premier Stephen McNeil, Sylliboy urged people to stay home during the pandemic.
They emphasized prioritizing the health of elders and other vulnerable community members.[3]
Mi'kmaq Language Act
[edit]The Mi'kmaq Language Act recognizes Mi'kmaq as an official language of Nova Scotia.[4] Then-Minister of L’nu Affairs Karla MacFarlane first announced the government's plan to enact this legislation in October 2021.[5] They have plans to take more steps in the promotion of the language because of the decreasing number of Mi'kmaq speakers. Sylliboy stated:
"The governments of the past attacked us through our language when our children were punished for speaking it, but despite all of the efforts to destroy it, our language is still here and we are still here, and that shows our resilience as a people."
Politics within the Mi'kmaq
[edit]In 2011, the Canadian government announced the recognition of a group in Newfoundland and Labrador called the Qalipu First Nation.[6] The landless band had accepted 25,000 people to be members of the community.[7] The community had received over 100,000 applications, and it was authorized for the new applicants to be reviewed.[8]
The Grand Council and other Mi'kmaq organizations initially argued against the legitimacy of these new members. However, in 2019, after the legitimacy of applicants had been addressed, the Qalipu First Nation had finally been accepted as a part of the Mi'kmaq Nation.[9] Through these new changes, by 2021, 24,000 people had been recognized as official members.
Currently, the Qalipu First Nation is facing a legal battle over the enrollment process after the Friends of Qalipu Advocacy Association filed a lawsuit against them.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Sylliboy married Arlene Sylliboy on 22 May 1982, having seven children together. They also have ten grandchildren together.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Ayers, Tom (1 August 2019). "Mi'kmaq select Norman Sylliboy of Eskasoni as new grand chief". CBC News Canada.
- ^ a b c d "Kji-Saqamaw Norman Sylliboy – Mi'kmaq-Maliseet Nations News". www.mmnn.ca. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Chief Prosper's Update On Pandemic Planning – Mi'kmaq-Maliseet Nations News". www.mmnn.ca. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ SMITHHM (7 April 2022). "Bill 148 - Mi'kmaw Language Act". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b Ramesar, Vernon (17 July 2022). "Mi'kmaw officially recognized as Nova Scotia's original language at Sunday ceremony". CBC News Canada.
- ^ "Qalipu First Nation to welcome special guests from Mi'kmaq Grand Council – Qalipu". Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ Connors, Colleen (21 September 2023). "Qalipu First Nation marks a milestone, celebrating 10 years as recognized Indigenous band". CBC News Canada.
- ^ "More than 60,000 applying for Mi'kmaq status". CBC News Canada.
- ^ "Updated Founding Members List for the Qalipu First Nation Adopted Through Order in Council – Qalipu". Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ Meloney, Nic (25 April 2018). "Canada signed private agreement with Qalipu Mi'kmaq days before contentious changes to application process". Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Contributed. "OP-ED: The Bear has spoken | SaltWire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.