As the Higgs government delivered its Throne speech on Tuesday afternoon, more than 300 people rallied outside for Acadian and Indigenous language rights.

The group included members of the Acadian and Francophone communities and members of the Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaw First Nations.

They were joined by a busload of community members from Pabineau First Nation and Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn, representatives from Sitansisk and the Wolastoqey Nation in New
Brunswick, students from École Sainte-Anne and many supporters from around New Brunswick.

“We delivered an urgent reminder to the elected officials in that building that we are still here. The fact we have to gather on the front lawn of the legislature to defend our rights is a clear
indictment of this government,” said Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation).

The group marched in a Tintamarre style from Fredericton City hall to the New Brunswick legislature yesterday afternoon.

“As an Acadian and francophone, I consider it a moral obligation to stand with our Wabanaki allies to say enough is enough,” said Alexandre Cédric Doucet, president of the SANB. “Linguistic
diversity means not only protecting the French language, but also the First Languages of this land, Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaw. The rights and aspirations of both Acadian and First Nations
communities must be heard in Fredericton,” added Mr. Doucet.