Sitansisk chief 'excited for change,' says he's ready to work with Liberal government

It's been no secret how chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick feel about Blaine Higgs, whose  Progressive Conservative government was defeated in Monday's election. 

Leading up to the election, a group of Wolastoqey chiefs from six First Nations accused Higgs of "fear-mongering" over a title-claim lawsuit with the province.

While the group has said they are not going after individual landowners, the PC Party released a two-page election platform that included a section titled, "Defend Landownership."

The group also spoke out about the affect of the PC government's cancellation of tax-sharing agreements. 

Those agreements fuelled economic growth in some Indigenous communities, particularly those that have built large gas retailers on reserve land.

The deals allowed the First Nations to keep 95 per cent of on-reserve gas tax revenue up to $8 million and 70 per cent of amounts beyond that.

"I'm certainly excited for the change in the provincial government. You know, that's going to be a great first day in the nation-to-nation relationship,"  Sitansisk Chief Allan Polchies said in an interview on Tuesday.

"The people of New Brunswick sent a clear message."

The loss of the tax-sharing agreement has left Sitansisk, also known as St. Mary's First Nation, in Fredericton, with only "limited" federal income, he said, adding that it was also a big loss to funding for health care, housing and education.

Polchies said the Holt campaign didn't "buy into" divisive language and tactics, and he's looking forward to the "healing journey" for the relationship between the province and First Nations.

Premier-designate Susan Holt said in an interview with CBC News on Tuesday that she is ready to work with First Nations.

"I've been out into communities, meeting with chiefs and councils, learning about their communities and building the relationship that we'll need, in order to do the hard work of negotiating a path forward in the best interests of everyone," Holt said.

"We will be tackling tax agreements and putting something better in place, and really trying to earn a trust that has been broken."

Holt did not elaborate on what the replacement might be.

Polchies said Sitansisk is interested in working with Holt on a new revenue-sharing agreement, as well as on policing and justice issues, and language preservation.

"We don't, you know, expect in four years they're going to be able to solve everything," Polchies said, but it's important to highlight which issues are top priorities.

Polchies also said renaming the St. John River as Wolastoq is another priority, along with health care and addictions treatment. 

He sees a change in attitude toward working with First Nations.

"We've got be at that table, you know, and then we've got to invite them to our tables to have the discussions. … And this is where it comes down to, truth and reconciliation comes with trust."

Polchies said he was unable to speak to the title-claim case, but said the Wolastoqey Nation will continue working on it.

Holt promised in a CBC News pre-election debate to negotiate instead of litigate with First Nations. 

The Sitansisk chief also said he's looking forward to working with the newly elected Liberal MLA for Fredericton North, Luke Randall. 

"I've got a meeting set up with him [Wednesday] and we're going to get down and roll up our sleeves and get to work," Polchies said.