PORT HAWKESBURY - The official Mi'kmaq flag will now fly permanently on the town's main thoroughfare, alongside its Canadian and Nova Scotian counterparts, as the result of a ceremony held on May 19 in front of the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. 

Cape Breton Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Membertou First Nation Communications Director Jeff Ward, Membertou First Nation Band Councillor George Marshall, and We'koqma'q First Nation Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley joined Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton and Cape Breton-Canso Member of Parliament Mike Kelloway for the afternoon ceremony, which also featured traditional Mi'kmaq music and prayers. The event was followed later that same evening by the first-ever Mawiomi Friendship Gala, which featured music, theatre, and speeches from across Cape Breton Island. 

Also on this week's TELILE 24/7 episode: 

1:36 - In a statement released to Telile Community Television with regards to calls from the community to upgrade Pondville Beach Provincial Park, Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) confirmed that the Isle Madame beach does not meet the criteria for $10 million in funding provided by the department to beaches and parks across the province. However, the department's communications advisor, Erin Gough, confirmed that management planning is underway for Pondville Beach, with community consultations to get under way in earnest with a public forum in June. 

23:04 - In an interview with TELILE 24/7 host/producer Adam Cooke, Richmond Warden Amanda Mombourquette stressed that the municipality has always been willing to assist the Save Pondville Beach Provincial Park campaign but noted that the municipality does not have the power to request a management strategy or any specific beach upgrades or funding from DNRR officials.

42:58 - Port Hawkesbury's Director of Public Works, Jason MacMillan, provided an update on the deconstruction of an iconic town water tower and its forthcoming replacement by new water infrastructure that will be funded by three levels of government in a new arrangement that was confirmed by federal, provincial and municipal officials in January.