A rally in support of Mi’kmaw rights holders is taking placing at the Halifax Common on Saturday, November 15 at 12 noon, in support of a Mi’kmaw encampment at Hunter’s Mountain, a traditional hunting ground on unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw. What initially began as a logging blockade has now become the Cultural Revitalization Camp, as a further affirmation of Mi’kmaw right to control what happens on their lands.

This stand by the Mi’kmaw comes amidst actions by the federal and provincial governments to deregulate extraction of natural resources, remove environmental regulations and to enshrine in legislation the denial of the treaty and hereditary rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially the right to say No! to such operations on their territories. This violation of rights is all being done in the name of the “national interest” and protecting Canada’s economy from U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile these same governments claim to want reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples.

Posted are press releases from the Unama’ki Medicine Camp (Unama’ki is the island of Cape Breton), and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.

Mi’kmaq Establish Cultural Revitalization Camp at
Hunter’s Mountain in Unama’ki
— Unama’ki Medicine Camp, September 15, 2025 —

Unama’ki Medicine Camp at Hunter’s Mountain, September 9, 2025 (N. Newton)

More than 100 Mi’kmaw rights holders have established a cultural revitalization camp at the foot of Hunter’s Mountain in Cape Breton, transforming what began as a logging blockade into a centre for traditional medicine gathering and cultural teachings.

“We’re not only asserting our rights,” says Allison Bernard, of Eskasoni First Nation. “We’re reclaiming our culture and traditions. This mountain is a part of us. Our ancestors are here. Our relatives the moose are here.”

It comes amid frustration about ongoing logging operations on Hunter’s Mountain without adequate consultation with the Mi’kmaq, despite being Crown land on the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki.

Elder Ernie Johnson, who is providing teachings at the camp, explains the significance of the mountain: “Balsam is held very sacred to our people. It’s a medicine, and it’s being used for something else. We need to bring this mountain back to its original intent for the well-being of our people.”

The contrast between government and Mi’kmaw understanding of the land lies at the heart of the conflict. While government and private companies view forests as economic resources, for the Mi’kmaq, these lands are sacred and provide food, medicines, and habitats for relatives like the moose.

The camp has received formal support from Mi’kmaw organizations. The Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq (Assembly) has called for a wholistic plan “that incorporates Mi’kmaw laws around appropriate land and resource use, Mi’kmaw laws that emphasize the importance of stewardship and sustainability for the next seven generations.”

Sipekne’katik First Nation has also voiced strong support, stating: “Closing the area to Mi’kmaw harvesters while allowing industrial activity like logging undermines our Treaty rights and our stewardship responsibilities.”

Camp organizers are calling on all Nova Scotians to voice their concerns about Crown land forests being mismanaged by successive governments and private corporations.

“Corporate profits are being made off the backs of our Mi’kmaw rights. This needs to stop,” says Alexina Doucette, a camp member from Eskasoni First Nation. “All Nova Scotians should be concerned that the same forestry companies that are logging our forests are the ones being paid by the government to so-called manage them. You don’t need a degree in forestry to see that our forests are sick and that this system is broken.”

The Mi’kmaw rights holders at the camp emphasize that their actions are about protecting the land for future generations. “We’re running out of time to save our forests, our medicines, the moose,” says Allison Bernard. “We need everyone to care and to respect Mi’kmaw rights. We Are All Treaty People.”

The camp welcomes visitors who wish to learn about Mi’kmaq culture and traditional ecological knowledge, and invites all Nova Scotians to stand in solidarity with their efforts to protect the land for future generations.

Chiefs Angered at Premier Houston’s
Speed of Business & Lack of Respect
— Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, October 3, 2025 —

As the Nova Scotia government gathered until late in the evening on October 3, 2025, to debate their omnibus bills, so did Mi’kmaw leadership.

“We were gathered for the past two days at a Treaty Education Conference, talking about our Rights and our Rightful place on these lands and waters, while Nova Scotia was making unilateral decisions and pushing through legislation with hidden agendas to stifle the voices of our Nation,” said Chief Leroy Denny, Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq (Assembly).

The Assembly wants to make clear that, as the Rightful owners of these lands and resources, other levels of government need to understand that the Mi’kmaq also have a jurisdiction over how their territory is used. The Assembly is deeply concerned about how Minister Leah Martin and her department believe they can speak on behalf of the Mi’kmaw Nation, and how Premier Houston and his government is changing things for the convenience of government yet ignores processes long-established with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. They feel all Nova Scotians should be frustrated that this government is circumventing systems built with the Mi’kmaq to push through changes – legislative or otherwise – to make things easier for them but ignoring any responsibility to the environment.

“Premier Houston and his government need to know that they are not the only ones calling the shots here in Mi’kma’ki. We not only hold Treaty Rights, but also Aboriginal Rights, Jurisdictions and Title, as we never ceded or surrendered our lands, waters and resources,” said Chief Terrance Paul, Maw- lukutijik Saqmaq. “Making decisions without us is unconstitutional and wrong”.

The Assembly is demanding a meeting with Premier Houston immediately as he must be reminded that his government is bound by Peace and Friendship Treaties with the Mi’kmaq. While he may not have found that important enough to attend or send representatives to this year’s joint Treaty Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day events, he still has a Nation-to-Nation obligation that he must live up to and respect.

“Making decisions at this speed, while clearly dismissing our Mi’kmaw voices and concerns, is not peace and friendship. Premier Houston and his government need to build a better understanding of what it really means to be Treaty partners,” said Chief Sidney Peters, Maw-Iukutijik Saqmaq.

While the Chiefs continue to push to meet with Premier Houston, they will also be looking into all possible legal remedies and mechanisms that can be taken to ensure they can protect Mi’kmaw people, communities and our collective Rights.