Local Mi’kmaq leader to seek Liberal nomination in Sydney-Victoria
SYDNEY – Jaime Battiste has announced his intent to seek the Liberal nomination for the riding of Sydney-Victoria in the 2019 federal election.
The 39-year-old Eskasoni resident, who presently serves as the Treaty Education Lead for Nova Scotia, is a Dalhousie law school graduate and renowned authority on Mi’kmaq laws, history and culture. Battiste is a former Cape Breton University professor, senior adviser to the Eskasoni Band Council and has authored a book on Grand Chief Membertou. He is also a 2018 recipient of the Governor General’s award for volunteers (Sovereign’s Medal).
Battiste said he plans to file his 40-page nomination package this week. Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillor Earlene MacMullin of North Sydney and international banker Caleb Gibbons, of Albert Bridge, have also declared their intention to seek the Liberal Party nomination for the Cape Breton riding that has been represented by Mark Eyking for the past 18 years.