The Vautours claimed to be Acadian-Métis and had permission from Steven Augustine, a hereditary leader of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, to remain in possession on the east coast of the province.
In a statement issued Friday, Mi’kmaw’s leaders in the province said Mi’kmaq’s title to the land that includes the park and the rights had not been extended to the Vautour family or to what the Vautours call Acadian-Métis.
“The Mi’kmaq, the Métis National Council and the Societé de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick have all rejected the idea that the ‘Acadian-Metis’ are a separate indigenous group,” the leaders wrote.
“Vautours’ continued claim to land in Kouchibouguac via Mi’kmaq is wrong and must be stopped.”
Leaders also say they have seen an increase in the number of individuals and groups claiming aspects of Mi’kmaw culture in order to advance their personal interests. They say it is a form of cultural appropriation.
Jackie Vautour fought a 50-year battle against the expropriation after the park was created in 1969, living in a powerless cabin until his death in February 2021.
Parks Canada has written a series of letters to the Vautour family asking them to remove their belongings and leave the park.
Earlier this month, a Crown spokesman said he was meeting the deadline for Vautours to leave later this month.
Last year, the New Brunswick Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal by Jackie Vautour based on his claim that he represented more than 100 people of Métis Acadian Mi’kmaw descent seeking a title in the park area under the Canadian Constitution.
The federal and provincial governments have argued that the case was an attempt to reconsider something decided by courts as high as the Supreme Court of Canada.
Vautour’s son Edmond says the family still has legal options and is now awaiting a court hearing on some issues.
Edmond Vautour, Jackie Vautour’s son, insists the land issue is still before the courts and no action should be taken until a judge has ruled. (Shane Magee / CBC)
“It is up to the court to decide, not them,” Votour said in an interview Friday following the leaders’ announcement. “Let’s go to court and let the receipt fall on the table and a decision will be issued.”
Vautour disputed the timing of the statement by the leaders.
“Why are these leaders saying such a thing right now, when we are so close to having a hearing on the subject? Why are they doing this now? What are they afraid of?”
Vautour said leaders should consider the impact of their position on his nieces and nephews, who consider themselves Mi’kmaq.
Vautour and others plan to protest at the entrance to the park on Saturday.
