Following a resolution adopted by the Board of Governors, Université de Moncton showed a gesture of solidarity today by permanently raising the Mi’gmaq flag at its Moncton campus. Starting tomorrow, the Mi’gmaq flag will be flown permanently on the Shippagan campus.
“It is an important gesture that symbolizes the fact that these campuses are located on the unceded, traditional territory of the Mi’gmaq,” stated Jacques Paul Couturier, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. He added that “it provides the foundation for a lasting partnership to promote reconciliation with Indigenous peoples”
“The Mi’gmaq in New Brunswick are pleased that our relationship with the Université denMoncton continues to grow,” said Chief Rebecca Knockwood of Amlamgog First Nation and Co-Chair of Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn. “The raising of the Mi’gmaq flag at the entrance to the Université demonstrates that together we are rekindling the original bond that the Mi’gmaq and the Acadians forged hundreds of years ago. We look forward to working to bring Mi’gmaq values to the students, faculty and staff at the Université and coming to a deeper understanding of one another.”
After 400 years of relations between the Mi’gmaq and Acadian peoples (and other Francophones), our institution recognizes the resiliency of the Mi’gmaq people and seeks to develop a lasting relationship with them.
This gesture is one of the elements of a work plan being developed by Université de Moncton and the Maliseet and Mi’gmaq First Nations, in response to the call to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.