What's Happening with the Mi’kmaq fisheries in Nova Scotia, Canada?
Right now, the team at Scout is educating ourselves on what's happening on the ground to understand the perspectives and call for accountability across government, industry and Atlantic communities. Here’s what we know so far:
There is no place for racism in our communities and the acts of violence being reported against members of the Sipekne'katik First Nation are unacceptable. Scout condemns all forms of racism and violence, and recognizes the land and resource rights of First Nations across Turtle Island.
This is a complex issue that spans back to a 1752 treaty that protects First Nations hunting, fishing and trading rights, and this needs to be solved through immediate action from the DFO directly with Mi’kmaq band councils. We have sent a request to Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan, to encourage a clear definition of ‘moderate livelihood’ and to understand the steps being taken to resolve the ambiguity in the federal policy and re-affirmed court ruling in 1999.
Non-indigenous industry stakeholders and fishing families are well represented and we encourage all parties to support productive discourse and to approach this issue with a reconciliation first mentality.
See below for articles and ways to engage with the issue and learn:
http://mikmaqrights.com/our-community/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/media-coverage-indigenous-issues-mi-kmaw-fishery-marshall-decision-1.5730472
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/fishery-standoff-continues-mikmaw-owned-boats-gear-vandalized/