Chief Brian Francis Appointed to the Senate of Canada

October 11th, 2018 by Admin

The following is distributed by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI

For Immediate Release
Charlottetown, PEI — 11 October 2018

The appointment of Chief Brian Francis to the Senate of Canada is being celebrated by the Board of Directors and staff of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI as a significant moment for the Mi’kmaq Nation.

Chief Francis was elected Chief of the Abegweit Mi’kmaw Nation in August of 2007, and has served in that position, as well as the role of Co-Chair of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Board of Directors since that time. With his appointment to PEI’s vacant Senate seat earlier today, he will be stepping down from these leadership roles.

“I have known Chief Francis for many years, and have been honoured to serve with him as Co-Chairs of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy Board of Directors for over 5 years”, said Lennox Island First Nation Chief, Matilda Ramjattan. “His dedication and leadership skills have been inspiring and his appointment is very well deserved. While it is a tribute to his personal abilities, the appointment is also a source of profound pride for the entire Mi’kmaq community. It is truly a great day for one of our own to be able to share his gifts, perspective and culture on the national stage.”

“For over a decade, Chief Francis has been a transformative leader for both his community of the Abegweit Mi’kmaw Nation, as well as for all Prince Edward Island Mi’kmaq through his role as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy. He is a person of the highest integrity and the talents that have served him so well as a universally respected Indigenous leader – intelligence, fairness, vision and a unique ability to work cooperatively with others to effect positive change – will serve as a tremendous asset as he becomes the first PEI Mi’kmaq to serve in the Parliament of Canada.”, said Don MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Confederacy.

The Confederacy is planning a public celebration in the coming weeks to honour Chief Francis and to mark the importance of this appointment for the PEI Mi’kmaq and all Islanders.

Chief Francis is a proud Mi’kmaq, a proud Prince Edward Islander and a proud Canadian. As he takes his seat in the Senate, he will continue his passionate work to make Canada a better country for all and to promote reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

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For more information: Don MacKenzie, 902-626-2882, dmackenzie@mcpei.ca

Visit our website at http://www.mcpci.ca/