David Coon, MLA/Député

Mr. Speaker, as we start a new session of this Legislative Assembly it is important to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional territories of the Wolastoqiyik people – land that has never been ceded to the Crown.  What defines our relationship are the Peace and Friendship treaties signed between the Crown and the Wolastoqiyik, the Passamaquoddy and the Mik’maq.  It is these treaties which constitute the legal basis of the relationship between our peoples.  I also want to recognize that the Wolastoqiyik Grand Council has recently installed a new Grand Chief – Ron Tremblay, originally from Tobique, now living in Fredericton.  I trust that both the Legislative and Executive branches of government will work constructively and respectfully with Chief Tremblay and the Wolastoqiyik Grand Council, along with the local leadership of the six Wolastoqiyik communities in New Brunswick as well as with the Passamaquoddy and Mi’kmaq.