Tag Archives: Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia
A peaceful protest by commercial fishermen turned confrontational in Nova Scotia
There was yelling and cursing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishermen, but there were no injuries. The commercial fishermen are protesting what they claim is an illegal lobster fishery in St. Marys Bay in southwestern Nova Scotia. They say a communal First Nations lobster fishery, where the sale of the catch is prohibited, is being used as a cloak for a large-scale commercial fishery. The Mi’kmaq reject that claim, arguing their right to fish for a moderate livelihood was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1999. >click to read< 09:37
Tensions running high on the water over First Nations lobster fishery
Strong westerly winds kept the four Cape Islanders behind the Pictou Landing wharf’s breakwater on Tuesday. “We’re not trying to hide anything,” said Zack Nicholas, who owns one of the boats. “DFO can watch us coming and going from their office.” The commercial season for lobster fishing on the Northumberland Shore runs through May and June.Twenty years after the Supreme Court of Canada acknowledged the Mi’kmaq have a treaty right to make a “moderate livelihood” from natural resources, negotiations drag on,,, >click to read< 12:23
Indigenous fishermen hope to be arrested, trigger court case as Nova Scotia lobster season kicks off
As one of the most lucrative fisheries in Canada prepares for opening day, some Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia are trying to trigger a court battle over Indigenous fishing, hoping it will see them win a greater share of the thriving lobster business. And they are daring the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to arrest them. One of them is Cheryl Maloney, an activist, law school graduate and mother of four boys. She wants her family to be able to earn the “moderate livelihood” she says the Supreme Court of Canada ruled they are entitled to in 1999. click here to read the story 09:19
