LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We simply wish to keep Farm green

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to comments expressed in two recent articles which appeared in your newspaper.

On Monday, May 4, Mr. Jeff Brant, director of socio-economic development with the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I., in speaking of the Confederacy's plan for the experimental farm, implies that anyone opposing the Confederacy plan was doing so for racial reasons.

The same issue was raised in a commentary in your paper on April 29 by Darlene Bernard, chief of the Lennox Island Nation Band, and Brian Francis, chief of the Abegweit First Nation.

It is unfortunate that people would attempt to raise a racial issue simply because various groups wish to keep the farm green and as free from development as is possible. I have personally attended numerous meetings in recent months regarding this issue and have never said or heard anyone referring to the First Nations people with anything but respect and dignity.

The Friends of the Farm were formed in 1994 with the objective of keeping the farm green. The Friends, as well as other groups, successfully lobbied against the farm as the location for CARI facility in 2002. The Friends of the Farm sponsored community meetings and came forth with an extensive plan for the farm in 2005.

Only recently has the Confederacy made known its interest in the farm and now appears intent on portraying anyone opposed to its plan as racist or against First Nations people - this is simply not true.

In closing, I would like to quote Chief Francis and Chief Bernard, "At the end of the day we may disagree, at the very least we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity for our efforts and intentions."

Lane MacLaren,