Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs Denounce Latest Criminal Act by Canada

October 16, 2020. Support action in Halifax for Mi'kmaw moderate livelihood fishery.

On April 30, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs issued a media release denouncing the seizure of 37 lobster traps from a Potlotek First Nation Netukulimk Livelihood harvester earlier in the day by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the first day of the lobster fishing season.

The press release points out that the Potlotek First Nations harvester "was authorized by his community and was fishing pursuant to his community's Netukulimk Livelihood Fishery Plan." Chief Gerald Toney, the Fisheries Lead for the Assembly added, "Not only was the harvester in full accordance with community's regulations, but the harvester was also fishing within DFO's dictated commercial season." Chief Toney called the seizure of the traps a "shameful and illegal act." Chief Wilbert Marshall of the Potlotek First Nation stated that the seizure of the harvester's means of a livelihood was "a failure of the Government of Canada to accommodate our Rights and a failure to uphold the Honour of the Crown."

"The Potlotek Plan is the same as the plan fished last fall, with minor changes, but Potlotek First Nation has been fully transparent with DFO in the development and sharing of their plan to implement their Treaty Right to fish and sell fish for a moderate livelihood, as recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada," the press release emphasizes.

As a sovereign Indigenous Nation, the Mi'kmaw have the right to self-determination in all their affairs including matters concerning their means of a livelihood in accordance with the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed with the Crown prior to 1779. The refusal of the Canadian state through the DFO acting on behalf of the Crown to recognize this fact is a block to harmonious relations between the Mi'kmaw and Canada. The use of force to seize the lobster traps and other equipment of the Mi'kmaq fishers and to charge Mi'kmaq harvesters shows exactly how the Trudeau Liberals self-servingly intend to "uphold" the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada through Bill C-15 which is now being pushed through parliament.

Ongoing attempts to criminalize the Mi'kmaw, and treat them as wards of the Crown will not succeed. Not only will the Mi'kmaw continue to assert their sovereignty and hereditary rights to fish and other matters which cannot be given or taken away, but the entire Canadian people stand behind them and their just demands.

Hands Off the Mi'kmaq Fishers!
Return Their Stolen Traps!
Respect the Sovereignty of the Mi'kmaw and All Indigenous Peoples!

This article was published in

Volume 51 Number 5 - May 9, 2021

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2021/Articles/M510058.HTM

    

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