Pictou Landing First Nation

Pjila’si to Piktuk

Pictou Landing First Nation (PLFN) is a Mi’kmaq community located north of Trenton on the South shore of the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia. PLFN has approximately 2014 acres of reserve land. Although this appears to be plentiful, not all of the land may be suitable for development activities, including economic development. In addition to the existing landscape, Pictou Landing owns an additional 4465 acres of land that was acquired in subsequent years.

Pictou Landing First Nation has approximately 666 members, approximately 500 residing on the Reserve, with over half of the community employed. The Band Council, consists of the elected Chief and 6 Councillors. The Chief and Councillors are elected for 2-year terms. The CEO and staff are responsible for band administration. The Band employs approximately 75 individuals full time while with the addition of seasonal and own source revenue services, the Band employee count can reach as many as 200 in the peak season with responsibilities for the following: health, social, education, human resources, finances, capital works, economic and community development, fisheries, lands and project development and communications.

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

Excellence in governance and leadership of Pictou Landing First Nation.

Mission

Through its people and resources, we will achieve strong leadership of services and programs that will enable Pictou Landing First Nation to be a healthy and prosperous Mi’kmaq community.

Values

Pictou Landing First Nation’s values, are statements of how we conduct ourselves as we work towards achieving our common goals. Our values come from the Seven Sacred teachings of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. Through the practice of these principles, we aspire to create a strong community, economically and socially and to work together to create a community that is healthy and prosperous.
 

1. Future generations: One of our strengths is our focus on the future. This is reflected in our vision, mission and values. Our children and youth will grow and become our leaders. Decisions our Chief and Council make, must consider the long-term impact on our community.

 

2. Community/Family: We are a small community made up of a number of strong family groups. Our community is much more than a geographical grouping of individuals in the same area, sharing programs and services. We are a strong group of people bound by a common history, common ties to the land and water, and common ancestors. We are a group of people who have supported each other for generations, and will continue to do so.

 

3. Sustainable and healthy development: Pictou Landing First Nation has opportunities to grow and develop, with respect to population growth, economic activity, and housing. That growth must be carefully managed to ensure environmental sustainability and our quality of life must be protected and enhanced. Self-sufficiency must be balanced with ensuring continued livability.

 

4. Culture and traditions: Actions of our Chief, Council and staff must be in keeping with traditions and practices. Pictou Landing First Nation Council and staff have a responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of our members and to preserve, protect, and enhance the heritage of our ancestors.

 

5. Respect for land and history: Along with respecting traditions and cultural practices of Pictou Landing First Nation, our Chief, Council and staff, in making its development and land use decisions, must take into consideration the importance that our population places on the land base. The land base, and the ways the land base has traditionally been used to undertake various activities, are important elements of PLFN decision-making.

 

6. Fairness: As we work towards improving our economic and social well-being, we must ensure that community members in similar situations are treated fairly and objectively, based on the criteria for various programs and services. There should be a process in place, for community members to bring their concerns, when they feel that they have been treated unfairly.

 

7. Transparency, Accountability and Communications: Pictou Landing First Nation provides important services to our members. It also regulates activities on our land, by enacting by- laws, policies and procedures. These by-laws and policies are intended to protect and enhance the quality of life for all members. Actions of our Council and staff must be founded on effective communication and openness with the community.

 

8. Fiscal Accountability: Pictou Landing First Nation’s commitment to financial responsibility will ensure that revenues and expenditures are carefully monitored. Financial responsibility must be instituted at all levels of our organization. Accountability for program and economic funding and timely reporting are very important to our overall success.

 

9. Strong Governance: Separation of politics from administration is very important for Council and staff. Pictou Landing First Nation is a small, tightly knit community. In a community this size, it is inevitable that relationships, family and community dynamics will complicate decisions at times, at both political and administrative levels. However, we have chosen to take on enormous responsibilities and privileges by deciding to run for election to Council. Through the efforts of Council and PL Band Administration, we can make by-laws, policies, and business decisions for the benefit of community development as well as to ensure the delivery of services and programs. It is important, however, to ensure that our practices and decisions do not intrude on the role of the CEO and staff in developing and delivering programs and operational decision making. Our job as elected official is to set the overall strategic and policy directions. It is our staff’s role is to manage programs, business ventures and human resources. Good governance also includes a mechanism by which complaints against program administration decisions are fairly handled.