Ango’tmeq Nm’tginen
We take care of our Territory

Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj are communities in the seventh district of Mi’gma’gi known as Gespe’gewa’gi, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’gmaq

The role of the Ango’tmeg Nm’tginen (AN) is to ensure safe and sustainable natural resource development in Gespe’gewa’gi. Rooted within the territory of Gespe’gewa’gi, the Mi’gmaq are stewards of the natural environment. The AN is accountable for consultation and accommodations regarding resource development and infrastructure of the territory, formation of the Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan (GMP), caribou protection, lessening the impacts of Québec vacation lots and toponomy projects.

AN actively works with government entities to provide a Mi’gmaw perspective that includes a water-first and a two-eyed seeing approach to specific development projects that could impact the environment and wildlife. The information is then brought to the leadership to get the most informed response possible. This approach is key to the endorsement of any development projects in the territory of Gespe’gewa’gi.

Ango’tmeq Nm’tginen
We take care of our Territory

Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj are communities in the seventh district of Mi’gma’gi known as Gespe’gewa’gi, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’gmaq

The role of the Ango’tmeg Nm’tginen (AN) is to ensure safe and sustainable natural resource development in Gespe’gewa’gi. Rooted within the territory of Gespe’gewa’gi, the Mi’gmaq are stewards of the natural environment. The AN is accountable for consultation and accommodations regarding resource development and infrastructure of the territory, formation of the Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan (GMP), caribou protection, lessening the impacts of Québec vacation lots and toponomy projects.

AN actively works with government entities to provide a Mi’gmaw perspective that includes a water-first and a two-eyed seeing approach to specific development projects that could impact the environment and wildlife. The information is then brought to the leadership to get the most informed response possible. This approach is key to the endorsement of any development projects in the territory of Gespe’gewa’gi.

Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan

The Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan (GMP) is a Land Use Plan that will assist in evaluating and guiding how development occurs in Gespe’gewa’gi and focuses on the well-being of our land, resources, and water. Gespe’gewa’gi has been our home since time immemorial, and the GMP encourages our people to use and occupy the territory, as it is our right as Mi’gmaw Citizens.

The development of the GMP begins by utilizing and collecting location information for hunting, gathering, trapping, and harvesting activities. The established areas are then prioritized in the territory, mapped out and are meant to protect the territory. This is to ensure the priorities of the Mi’gmaq are reflected in the territory’s development, use, and protection.

What is a Land Use Plan?

A Land Use Plan

Specifies the land usage, which will include Mi’gmaw values, guide what development should proceed in Gespe’gewa’gi and is essential for us to exert our Mi’gmaw Rights and Title over our lands and waters.

Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan

The Gespe’gewa’gi Management Plan (GMP) is a Land Use Plan that will assist in evaluating and guiding how development occurs in Gespe’gewa’gi and focuses on the well-being of our land, resources, and water. Gespe’gewa’gi has been our home since time immemorial, and the GMP encourages our people to use and occupy the territory, as it is our right as Mi’gmaw Citizens.

The development of the GMP begins by utilizing and collecting location information for hunting, gathering, trapping, and harvesting activities. The established areas are then prioritized in the territory, mapped out and are meant to protect the territory. This is to ensure the priorities of the Mi’gmaq are reflected in the territory’s development, use, and protection.

What is a Land Use Plan?

A Land Use Plan

Specifies the land usage, which will include Mi’gmaw values, guide what development should proceed in Gespe’gewa’gi and is essential for us to exert our Mi’gmaw Rights and Title over our lands and waters.

Currently, the development of our territory is pre-determined by Québec and Canada. However, these governments have a legal duty to consult and, where necessary, accommodate the Mi’gmaq for any development in Gespe’gewa’gi. There exists a Consultation and Accommodation process between the Mi’gmaq and the Crown. The information contained within the GMP will be vital in preparing our responses to any proposed development throughout Gespe’gewa’gi.

The GMP arranges the territory into management areas and determines what activities can and cannot occur in Gespe’gewa’gi, per our interim Land Management Policy. The Mi’gmaw can identify and protect sites of spiritual, cultural, and ecological use.

The continued use of the territory by our hunters, gatherers, fishers, and other users will reaffirm our relationship with the territory and the importance of its protection. The GMP belongs to the citizens of the three communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Listuguj and will empower our people to use the territory by providing cultural buffers, maps, assistance in identifying usage areas and documenting usage, and so much more.

Currently, the development of our territory is pre-determined by Québec and Canada. However, these governments have a legal duty to consult and, where necessary, accommodate the Mi’gmaq for any development in Gespe’gewa’gi. There exists a Consultation and Accommodation process between the Mi’gmaq and the Crown. The information contained within the GMP will be vital in preparing our responses to any proposed development throughout Gespe’gewa’gi.

The GMP arranges the territory into management areas and determines what activities can and cannot occur in Gespe’gewa’gi, per our interim Land Management Policy. The Mi’gmaw can identify and protect sites of spiritual, cultural, and ecological use.

The continued use of the territory by our hunters, gatherers, fishers, and other users will reaffirm our relationship with the territory and the importance of its protection. The GMP belongs to the citizens of the three communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Listuguj and will empower our people to use the territory by providing cultural buffers, maps, assistance in identifying usage areas and documenting usage, and so much more.

Consultation and Accommodation

The Goal: To protect Mi’gmaq interests and rights in Gespe’gewa’gi.

The Governments of Canada and Québec have a legal obligation to consult Indigenous nations who have asserted rights over territory. The MMS facilitates discussions between the Governments of Canada, Québec and the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi. There are approximately 100 consultation files received from the AN unit annually.

Through the consultation and accommodation process, the AN unit is responsible for researching and analyzing the potential impacts of a proposed development on the environment, Mi’gmaw Rights, Title and usage in Gespe’gewa’gi. Decisions are made via citizen consultation sessions and direction from the Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi (MM) leadership, which includes the Chief and Council of the three Mi’gmaw communities.

It is important to remember that the Consultation and Accommodation team DOES NOT make decisions about files and is simply the liaison between communities and governments. It is important to note that we have a meaningful and decisive role in the planning, development and utilization of the natural resources in Gespe’gewa’gi. This process must involve methods that establish relevant and meaningful consultation with decision-makers to find accommodation through satisfactory solutions. 

Consultation and Accommodation

The Goal: To protect Mi’gmaq interests and rights in Gespe’gewa’gi.

The Governments of Canada and Québec have a legal obligation to consult Indigenous nations who have asserted rights over territory. The MMS facilitates discussions between the Governments of Canada, Québec and the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi. There are approximately 100 consultation files received from the AN unit annually.

Through the consultation and accommodation process, the AN unit is responsible for researching and analyzing the potential impacts of a proposed development on the environment, Mi’gmaw Rights, Title and usage in Gespe’gewa’gi. Decisions are made via citizen consultation sessions and direction from the Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi (MM) leadership, which includes the Chief and Council of the three Mi’gmaw communities.

It is important to remember that the Consultation and Accommodation team DOES NOT make decisions about files and is simply the liaison between communities and governments. It is important to note that we have a meaningful and decisive role in the planning, development and utilization of the natural resources in Gespe’gewa’gi. This process must involve methods that establish relevant and meaningful consultation with decision-makers to find accommodation through satisfactory solutions.