Membertou applies to transport cruise visitors to its Heritage Park

Membertou band council has applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to amend its motor carrier licence to carry cruise ship passengers to its Membertou Heritage Park.

The application, signed by Chief Terry Paul, was filed with the provincial regulator on April 18.

The application notes that the band plans to use a 28-passenger bus to pick up passengers from Sydney’s Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion and transport them to the heritage park “to partake in a cultural experience.” The bus would then return the passengers to the pavilion.

The application also notes that the rate for the bus is built into the price of the tour package and the price varies depending on the experience.

As examples for the sort of activities visitors may participate in during the excursions, the application mentions drum making and a medicine walk.

The band doesn’t currently transport cruise ship passengers to Membertou.

Membertou’s corporate division declined to comment on the application at this time, noting it is in its early stages and must go through the regulatory process.

Documents filed with the UARB show that the band was granted its motor carrier licence in 2010 to allow for specialty school bus service and specialty irregular restricted area public passenger charter service.

The Membertou Heritage Park opened in 2012. The park is located on a five-acre site and tells the story of the Mi’kmaq community and its people through exhibits, video and audio recordings, and enactments and cultural presentations.