'Stop criminalizing our treaty rights': National Chief of Assembly of First Nations tells DFO on N.S. wharf
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling for an end to what she calls intimidation over the Sipekne'katik First Nation's lobster fishery.
So far this summer, hundreds of traps have been seized from St. Mary's Bay and RoseAnne Archibald was on a boat that was detained by DFO officers Thursday afternoon, who then seized the traps of the fisherman she was with.
"Two DFO zodiacs with eight enforcement officers encircled and detained the boat and later traps were pulled, confiscated and loaded onto a Coast Guard boat," Sipekne'katik First Nation said in a news release. "The community members were fishing food, social and ceremonial (FSC) tags clearly designated with the colour purple. The tags were numbered less than 1000 all of which is in compliance with DFO and the community's fisheries management plans."
The National Chief captured much of the incident on her social media channel. Additional links can be found here and at the 13-minute mark of this clip.
Sipekne'katik First Nation said no reason was given for the seizure of the traps.
Earlier in the day, the chief was on the wharf at the centre of the fishery and the controversy as a small fleet of boats headed out on the water.
"It's good to have some back up and hopefully it unites everybody across Canada," said Mike Sack, the chief of Sipekne'katik First Nation.
In the midst of a federal election, Archibald sent a message to Ottawa.
"Stop criminalizing our treaty rights. No more arrests. No more intimidation," Archibald said. "There is no excuse."
The day gave a boost to fishers who've experienced a rough few weeks.
As Sipekne'katik tries to fish outside of commercial season for what it says is its treaty right, DFO has responded by seizing traps, and at times making arrests.
"No more confiscation of lobster traps and gear," Archibald said. "You are taking food from our children's mouths."
Nine traps were dropped Thursday, bringing in 100 pounds of lobster.
A representative for commercial fisherman thinks DFO should act.
"I think DFO have an opportunity now to show good faith and make that determination whether that fishery is legal or not and act accordingly," said Dan Nadeau of the Maritime Fishermen's Union.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.