Case in point:
A Mi’kmaq chief says he’s not satisfied with the federal government’s response in the ongoing conflict between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Chief Michael Sack of the Sipekne’katik First Nation said in an interview Tuesday he wants the federal government to uphold treaty rights that protect Mi’kmaq fishermen and to prevent non-Indigenous fishers from interfering with their harvest.
A flotilla of non-Indigenous fishing boats moved into St. Marys Bay off western Nova Scotia on Sunday to remove lobster traps set by fishermen from the Sipekne’katik First Nation.
Colin Sproul, of the Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association, said about 100 boats were removing the traps and fishermen were intending to take them to the wharf in Meteghan, N.S., later in the day.
Sproul said the fishermen were taking action on what they believe is an illegal out-of-season fishery because the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has refused to do so.
“It’s not going to take very long,” Sproul said of the operation. “All of our members have been instructed not to engage with any Indigenous people or any types of violent acts. We are just looking to remain peaceful.”
Sproul blamed the federal government for what was unfolding.
“When we are forced into this kind of position it’s really indicative of how out of touch the government is with the situation down here in Atlantic Canada.”
But the government is not out-of-touch with Big Aboriginal, that political squeaky wheel that finds the Indian Act incredibly lucrative.
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