Treaty rights an election issue: Indigenous chief
Hundreds of years after the treaties were signed, the chief of a Nova Scotia First Nation says it's time for the Crown to honour its agreements with Indigenous Peoples and recognize their fishing rights.
Ahead of the provincial election later this month and the widely anticipated federal election this fall, Chief Mike Sack of the Sipekne'katik First Nation called on all levels of government to recognize treaty rights.
"The impacts of colonization and the residential school system have had a stranglehold on us for decades," he said in a statement Saturday.
"Our postal code has the highest percentage of childhood poverty in the region. It's devastating to feel and see the impacts of the economic disparity we are living in."
The fishery offers the Mi'kmaq community in central Nova Scotia a path out of poverty, Sack said.
But the strict restrictions on what Indigenous fishers can catch and sell further perpetuates the cycle of injustice, he said.
"The fishery is a central way for our people to support themselves with the skills they have learned over generations so we can contribute to our families and communities," Sack said.
"Yet even in this, we are drastically restricted by Canada in what we can catch and in most cases sell."
Indigenous fishers in Nova Scotia argue that a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision affirms the Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish for a "moderate livelihood" when and where they want, including outside the federally regulated commercial fishing season.
Some critics, however, are quick to point out a clarification later issued by the court saying the treaty rights would be subject to federal regulations.
The dispute over Mi'kmaw fishing rights in southwestern Nova Scotia escalated last fall, with a lobster pound that stored the catch of Mi'kmaq fishers burned to the ground.
"We catch a nominal amount of lobster in comparison to the commercial fishery ... yet our gear is pulled, our boats are vandalized and our fishery is stifled," Sack said.
"We know that the people who destroy our gear and try to intimidate and sabotage us in no way represent Nova Scotians or Canadians."
He added: "Our hope is for renewed leadership and a better understanding of our condition from non-Indigenous people ... what happens in the coming years matters a great deal and in many cases will be critical to our livelihood and survival."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
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.
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.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.