• August 3, 2004

    We hand-delivered a letter to MLA Morash requesting:

    that MLA Kerry Morash meet as soon as possible
    with those members of the community with first-hand knowledge to:

    • re-establish the boundaries of the two burial grounds on Himmelman property
    • provide unobstructed public access to the burial grounds
    • ensure that public safety is ensured when cattle are present on adjoining lands
          KERRY MORASH, MLA- QUEENS (pdf 8kb)


  • August 30, 2004

    We sent a broadcast email stating:

    To date, there has been no response whatsoever-
    not so much as an acknowledgement of receipt.

    It is perhaps most disturbing that our MLA, Kerry Morash,
    has not responded to a request that he meet with the community
    to preserve and protect the two historic burial grounds on the site.


  • June 25, 2005

    Mr Morash explained that he had sent a letter to Rodney MacDonald (MLA- Inverness and Minister- Tourism, Culture and Heritage) and apologized for not following up to ensure that action had been taken.

    We informed Mr Morash that we had not asked him to write a letter, but to meet with his constituents (as noted above) as our elected representative.

    Various sections of the Cemeteries Protection Act were referenced and it was pointed out that

    • 7 (1) No person may use a cemetery for any purpose other than for the burial or permanent placement of human remains or memorialization.

    would include renting out a cemetery for cattle pasture, and that

    • 9 Every person who desecrates, damages or destroys a cemetery is guilty of an offence against this Act

    would include (among other things) the removal of headstones and grave markers.

    Mr Morash again apologized and committed to meet as we had originally requested.

    After the meeting, Mr Morash and 10 meeting attendees made a brief visit to the burial sites

  • July 5, 2005

    Letter received from Kerry Morash

    June 29, 2005
    P.O. Box 1750
    Liverpool, NS
    B0T 1K0

    Hon. Rodney MacDonald
    Minister of Tourism and Culture
    P.O. Box 456
    Halifax, NS
    B3J 2R5

    Dear Minister MacDonald Rodney

    RE:      The Burial Ground located on the right hand side of the Sperry's Beach Road, near the end of Said Road

    After attending a public meeting at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall regarding Sperry's Beach, the matter of the two burial grounds was brought to the floor.

    The Sperry's Beach Committee are requesting that, along with myself, the appropriate departmental staff meet with those members of the community who have an in-depth knowledge of these grounds so as to:

    • Re-establish the boundaries of the two burial grounds on the Himmelman property
    • Provide unobstructed public access to the burial grounds
    • Ensure that public safety is ensured when the cattle are present on adjoining lands

    From visiting the site and speaking to a person who is knowledgeable of the burial grounds, it is her contention that there are graves of the Mik'Maq, French and English located here.

    I would ask that the appropriate departmental staff visit the area as soon as possible.

    The contact person for the committee is Mr. Tom Daly. His address is 99 Tannery Road, RR#1 Petite Riviere, NS, B0J 2P0. His telephone number is (902) 688-2883; email: tom_d@chebucto.ns.ca.

    Thank you for your kind attention to this matter, and we look forward to your reply

    Hon Kerry Morash, MLA
    Queens