By Canadian Press

Ottawa affirms Mi’kmaq treaty rights in Nova Scotia lobster dispute

Sep 22, 2020 | 7:19 AM

SAULNIERVILLE, N.S. — The federal government is affirming the Mi’kmaq First Nation’s treaty rights in an ongoing dispute with non-Indigenous fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan and Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett released a statement Monday saying the Mi’kmaq have a constitutionally protected treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood.

Non-Indigenous fishermen have been protesting the Indigenous fishers’ attempts to set lobster traps in St. Marys Bay during the off-season, which runs until the end of November.

Some 350 traps set by Indigenous fishermen were pulled from the water by non-Indigenous fishermen over the weekend, continuing the long-standing conflict.

Jordan and Bennett denounced what they said were the threats, intimidation and vandalism they had witnesses in southwestern Nova Scotia.

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The two ministers say they plan to work with Mi’kmaq leaders on the implementation of the First Nation’s treaty right, which was confirmed in a 1999 Supreme Court decision.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2020.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press