The Provincial Government says that the Prince Edward Island Native Council has been given permission to conduct its annual Pow Wow activities on the land adjacent to the Panmure Island Provincial Park again this year and discussions are continuing in regard to leasing the site.
Premier Pat Binns clarified that the Provincial Park itself will not be part of the lease arrangement.
Government says that the Pow Wow which was originally held in the Panmure Island Park was moved to a parcel of land beside the Park in 1996. This move was facilitated to alleviate concerns from the community regarding automobile traffic along the park property, the noise from generators which affected nearby property owners, and the demand on the septic system at the Park during the Pow Wow. The newer site outside the boundaries of the Provincial Park, which was leased to the Council, now allows most cars to get off the main highway, eliminates some of the concerns around noise, and provides additional washroom and septic system capacity.
Premier Pat Binns says that Government has been consulting with the community, the Council and with Islanders about a new lease for the property. He stated that, to this point, the consultations have determined unanimous support for the Pow Wow itself, but some concerns were identified respecting the lease conditions. Binns noted that some features of the old lease will not be renewed.
He specifically says that a new lease will ensure that the general public has access to the beach via the road into the site and to a parking area, and that no wharf structures will be constructed on the beach itself. He also conveyed that the lease will be for a smaller portion of the original property which could allow other groups, including the community, to have future access. Some common areas will be preserved for all users, and Security for the Pow Wow will be stepped up.
The Premier also indicates that there is some interest by both the community and Government in restoring the former Steele Homestead on the property where Bishop MacEachern at one time said Sunday Mass and baptized people.
Premier Binns says that he has suggested that both the Native Council and a community committee form a joint Management Committee for the site. Should that proposal be rejected, he says Government will deal with the Council directly. At the present time, he says, the Native Council is completing a "use plan" which will form part of the negotiations.