The Potlotek First Nation and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs are dropping a civil lawsuit against the federal government over moderate livelihood fishing.
The debate over how to implement an Indigenous right to a moderate livelihood fishery in Atlantic Canada got more pointed this week as Ottawa's latest effort to voluntarily buy out commercial licences hasn't delivered results.
by J.B. Gerald / May 15th, 2021
Suspicious fire destroys Potlotek First Nation cabins. CTV.newsOn September 17, 2020, the Sipekne’katik First Nation of Nova Scotia opened its independent fishery, affirming the Band’s rights under Canada’s Supreme Court ruling of 1999 (the Marshall Decision), which allowed the Band to fish for a moderate living under its own regulations. On the 17th and in following days from 80 to 200 fishing boats of the commercial fishing industry came to St. Mary’s Bay to protest the new fishery. There were boat rammings, flare guns, intimidation, and destruction of lobster traps and gear. Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the DFO Conservation and Protection Divison, the RCMP, the Coast Guard, were there but provided the Band no protection.