Occupation Lawyer, Author Ethnicity Mi'kmaq, English | Name Jaime Battiste | |
Born 1979 ( 1979 ) Education Cape Breton University, Dalhousie Law School | ||
Jaime Battiste (born 1979) is a Mi’kmaq writer, researcher, historian and activist from Potlotek First Nation. A published author and researcher of Mi'kmaq law, he has worked on numerous boards for Mi'kmaq advancement, served on the National Executive Council of the Assembly of First Nations, taught as an assistant professor of Mi’kmaq Studies at Cape Breton University, and worked as legal adviser to the Mi’kmaq Grand Council. Battiste has published law review articles about Mi’kmaq law and Aboriginal and treaty rights. In 2004, he was honored as a National Role Model by the National Aboriginal Health Organization. In 2012, he was under contract with the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative as a Citizenship Officer. He is currently a citizenship coordinator for the Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative.
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Battiste has been interviewed and referenced by Maclean's, Herald News, The Cape Breton Post, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and The Canadian Press.
Early life and education
Jaime Battiste was born at Potlotek in 1979. His family hails from Eskasoni First Nation, Nova Scotia. He is the son of Mi’kmaq professor Marie Battiste and Chickasaw legal scholar James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson. Jaime Battiste also has a son named Jacoby Youngblood.
Battiste studied Mi’kmaq Studies at Cape Breton University, graduating in 2000 and graduated the Dalhousie Law School in 2004.
Career
Battiste is active in the Mi'kmaq political sphere, serving as the Interim Regional Chief for Nova Scotia/Newfoundland in the First Nations council. He is currently a citizenship coordinator at the Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative. He was a senior advisor for the Eskasoni First Nation Community and a former professor at Cape Breton University where he taught Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Mi'kmaq History. He has written numerous legal articles for law journals. He works to promote the rights and education of the Mi'kmaq people. Battiste was named interim chief during the 35th First Nations council for Nova Scotia/Newfoundland where he worked to improve educational funds for the First Nations people. Battise also recently helped launch Tepi’ketuek, the Mi’kmaq Archive, used to as way to communicate the history and culture of the Mi'kmaq for both the past and present.
Today
Battiste is an active organizer and athlete, he has organized and participated in major annual sporting, cultural, cultural, and academic events in his community and beyond. A self-taught musician He also enjoys playing guitar with his band, “2nd Generation”. Battiste states, “I am going to do the same things that I have always tried to do, which is to be a positive influence”.