Pascal Pelletier and Shawna Gagné are asking for a permanent Mi’kmaq flag at Moncton City Hall and to change the name of Riverfront Park to Mi’kmaq Park.
Pelletier and Gagné will give a presentation to the City Council on Monday, February 6 at 5:00pm. Their request: recognition that the Mi’kmaq were the welcoming people and the first people of the region. The Mi’kmaq have a history of over 10,000 years of living in this part of North America, and over 500 years of living side by side with European settlers. Greater Moncton should be proud to recognize the past, present and future contributions of the Mi’kmaq peoples in our culture and history.
The duo will be requesting that the Mi’kmaq flag be raised and left permanently in front of Moncton City Hall beside and equal to the Canadian flag, British flag, New Brunswick flag, Acadian flag and Moncton flag. They will also request the name of the park, located along the Petitcodiac River, be changed to Mi’kmaq Park. This historical site was used by Mi’kmaq peoples for gathering, trading, portage route and winter encampments for thousands of year. The other four Wabanaki tribes Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and Penobscot also frequented this area at times.
The public is invited to attend the City Council Meeting to show their support. Pelletier and Gagné also invite people to join their Facebook page (Mikmaq Park), share the information and send a letter of support to City Councilors.