Racist attacks against Mi'kmaw fishers

[thejazz97]

Spoiler

 

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller today called this week's raid on fishing facilities in southwestern Nova Scotia an "assault" on the Mi'kmaw people and urged police in the region to keep the peace.

 

His comments came as tensions mount over the First Nations lobster harvest in southwestern Nova Scotia. On Tuesday night, several hundred commercial fishermen and their supporters raided two facilities where Mi'kmaw fishermen were storing their catches.

 

By morning, a van had been set ablaze, hundreds of dead lobsters were strewn over the ground and one facility had been damaged.

 

"I cannot end this conference ... without addressing the incidents in southwestern Nova Scotia in what amounts to an assault on the Mi'kmaw people," Miller told a news conference in Ottawa today.

 

"These unacceptable acts of violence, including the assault on [Sipekne'katik Chief Mike] Sack with threats and intimidation, some racist in nature, cannot and will not fetter the right of the people to pursue a moderate livelihood."

 

 

 

Miller called for calm while talks at the federal level continue.

 

"To protect that right, space needs to be afforded to Indigenous leaders to continue discussions with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and [federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan]. And they are not easy discussions, but they must be had and they must be respected," he said.

 

"To do so, clearly, our police forces must ... maintain the peace."

 

The fact that no arrests have been made so far in connection with the two raids is prompting questions about the RCMP's response. 

 

Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Joyce said no arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon — but added that officers did witness criminal activity and investigative teams were being assembled. 

 

In an email, Joyce said the RCMP has increased its presence in the area each day since the raids.

 

 

 

Sack said the federal government and the RCMP are letting the community down.

 

"You know, they're sitting in their office, safe as can be, saying we need safety out here. Send enforcement down. Like, do your job. Protect Canadians. We're all Canadians. Come here, protect us and don't just tweet about it," he said.

 

"It's come to the point where it's a matter of, 'Do our lives matter?'"

 

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said on Wednesday that it's time for the RCMP and federal and provincial governments to step in "before someone gets badly injured or possibly killed."

 

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs also called for immediate action.

 

"Lives are being put at risk," Chief Terrance Paul, co-chair and fisheries lead for the Assembly, said in a media release.

 

 

 

 

"The inactions of the government and RCMP are only providing for more opportunities for people to be injured, or possibly worse."

 

Miller said he has seen only the videos circulating online, but what he saw alarmed him.

 

"The first job of the police is to serve, protect and to preserve the peace," he said. "People need to be protected ... this is the duty of the police."

 

Pointing to the Wet'suwet'en solidarity movement and the related rail blockades earlier this year, Miller said it's clear there's still work to be done on the relationship between Indigenous communities and police.

 

"Police are an integral part of that, and their engagement with the population has been at issue ... over the course of this year," said Miller.

 

"There are some exceptional people within the police force and there are also some systems that are set by systemic racism that need to be addressed."

 

The RCMP's national headquarters has directed all inquiries about the events in southwestern Nova Scotia to the provincial detachment.

 

 

 

NDP fisheries critic Gord Johns accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to the situation.

 

"We've been pushing the government to act but still they wash their hands of responsibility when it comes to the actions, and inaction, of the RCMP," he said. "And they've done nothing to give Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials on the ground the direction and mandate they need to fix the situation.

 

"This is on the federal government."

 

Colin Sproul, president of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen's Association, called for an end to the violence. He also said the only way to calm the situation is for Ottawa to get involved.

 

"What I make of the violence that was seen there is that there are a ton of people in Nova Scotia and southwest Nova Scotia and fishing communities across Atlantic Canada who are seriously concerned about the sustainability of our fisheries and the continuity of their way of life," he told CBC Nova Scotia.

 

Sproul said the federal government has handled the situation "abysmally" so far.

 

"The minister has totally abdicated her role here to act and in a role of sustainability and conflict resolution. And it's really evident that nobody can solve these problems in St. Mary's Bay," he said.

 

"They need to be solved by the minister and they need to be solved in Ottawa right away because this government's policies are trickling down in Nova Scotia and causing chaos."

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan told CBC News that she is speaking both to First Nations and to the commercial fish harvesters separately in an effort to find a solution. 

 

"I grew up in a in a rural coastal community and a fishing community. I understand that these that that people are concerned about a change. They're concerned about their livelihoods," she said.

 

"The long term sustainability of the industry is what we are working toward, and making sure that we have that for  generations to come."

 

 

 

 

The province's southwest has endured weeks of unrest following the launch of a lobster fishery by the Sipekne'katik band outside the federally mandated commercial season.

 

The band has justified its fishery by citing a 21-year-old Supreme Court of Canada ruling known as the Marshall decision, which affirmed the Mi'kmaw right to operate a "moderate livelihood" fishery.

 

The court later said the federal government could regulate the Mi'kmaw fishery but must justify any restrictions it placed on it. 

 

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil called on the federal government to better define what a "moderate livelihood" means.

 

"No matter how much I want to resolve this issue, I don't have any authority to do so. That is why it's critical for the national government to be there," he said during his own press conference Thursday morning.

 

"And it's why, in my humble opinion, the chiefs need to focus on the national government. And bring the national government to the table and deal with both sides."

Sproul said he'd like Ottawa to pause the fishing season in Nova Scotia while this conflict is sorted out.

 

"Let's be clear, they have waited for 21 years for a legitimate recognition of their rights, but being forced to take ... what is largely a political action in St. Mary's Bay to achieve that recognition is not right ... But it's also not right that my members or the community, the fishing communities in Atlantic Canada, are forced to bear the brunt of that," he said

 

"One thing that Chief Sack and myself have agreed on from the start is that our issues are not with each other or Indigenous versus non-Indigenous. Our issues are all with the minister and her lack of action."

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/miller-fishery-dispute-1.5763402

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by thejazz97

[thejazz97]

 

 

[thejazz97]

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by thejazz97

[thejazz97]

and last week:

 

 

 

[Dazzle]

We thought we as Canadians we would be better. But we're not. We were just set up a little bit differently than the US so that it was less pronounced.

[JM_]

I lived in NS for a few years, its very racist when it comes to things like this, it doesn't surprise me one iota. This issue came up when I was there and the hate that comes out is pretty intense. There's a strong "my daddy's daddy was a fisherman" thing and they don't respect First Nations rights at all, but they want a few generations of their family to have the same rights as First Nations people. The irony is lost on them. 

[Bombastik der Teutone]

welcome back in 18th century , unbelievable how dumb people can be. 

sadly some things will never change .

[Warhippy]

Have been following this for days.

 

They literally locked 2 people in a lobster pound and systematically destroyed their equipment, vehicles and ability to feed their families while the police literally sat in cars watching.

 

Nova Scotia is one of the most racist places i've ever been honestly.  No matter how beautiful it is it is incredibly intolerant.  The kind of crap going on against our people on the island is a throwback to colonialism and it HAS to stop.  When people step up and ask why natives need this, or get that or state "it happened so long ago get over it" they intentionally ignore these situations.

 

Right now, indigenous Mi'kmaw fishermen and trappers are literally being held under armed detention by white fishermen and the RCMP is sitting there watching it while the government is too busy whining about the We scandal to lift a finger.

 

If the Libs and Cons want to seriously prove themselves worthy of leadership or put weight behind their token attempts at reconciliation THIS is the fight they need to get involved in

[JM_]

3 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

Have been following this for days.

 

They literally locked 2 people in a lobster pound and systematically destroyed their equipment, vehicles and ability to feed their families while the police literally sat in cars watching.

 

Nova Scotia is one of the most racist places i've ever been honestly.  No matter how beautiful it is it is incredibly intolerant.  The kind of crap going on against our people on the island is a throwback to colonialism and it HAS to stop.  When people step up and ask why natives need this, or get that or state "it happened so long ago get over it" they intentionally ignore these situations.

 

Right now, indigenous Mi'kmaw fishermen and trappers are literally being held under armed detention by white fishermen and the RCMP is sitting there watching it while the government is too busy whining about the We scandal to lift a finger.

 

If the Libs and Cons want to seriously prove themselves worthy of leadership or put weight behind their token attempts at reconciliation THIS is the fight they need to get involved in

I think they need to call in some Mohawk help, then you'll see the RCMP show up in record numbers. 

[Warhippy]

18 minutes ago, Robert Long said:

I think they need to call in some Mohawk help, then you'll see the RCMP show up in record numbers. 

One of the people live streaming outright said something like

 

"Could you imagine if 300 natives showed up and started burning down white peoples boats, homes, vans.  threatened them at their business, forcibly confined them and destroyed their livelihood?  How fast would the military be here to suppress them"

 

Hard pressed to say they're wrong.

 

Natives fight for their land in BC.  RCMP send frigging snipers and armed response.  

White people terrorize natives for literally doing what they're allowed to.  Government is......absent at best

[BoKnows]

wtf is wrong with people?  Disgusting behaviour.

[JM_]

2 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

One of the people live streaming outright said something like

 

"Could you imagine if 300 natives showed up and started burning down white peoples boats, homes, vans.  threatened them at their business, forcibly confined them and destroyed their livelihood?  How fast would the military be here to suppress them"

 

Hard pressed to say they're wrong.

 

Natives fight for their land in BC.  RCMP send frigging snipers and armed response.  

White people terrorize natives for literally doing what they're allowed to.  Government is......absent at best

no argument here, its plain as day the difference in how things are being treated. Again, having lived there, not surprised in the least. 

 

The Liberals get a lot of votes out of NS.... not surprised at the inaction either on that front. 

[peaches5]

21 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

Have been following this for days.

 

They literally locked 2 people in a lobster pound and systematically destroyed their equipment, vehicles and ability to feed their families while the police literally sat in cars watching.

 

Nova Scotia is one of the most racist places i've ever been honestly.  No matter how beautiful it is it is incredibly intolerant.  The kind of crap going on against our people on the island is a throwback to colonialism and it HAS to stop.  When people step up and ask why natives need this, or get that or state "it happened so long ago get over it" they intentionally ignore these situations.

 

Right now, indigenous Mi'kmaw fishermen and trappers are literally being held under armed detention by white fishermen and the RCMP is sitting there watching it while the government is too busy whining about the We scandal to lift a finger.

 

If the Libs and Cons want to seriously prove themselves worthy of leadership or put weight behind their token attempts at reconciliation THIS is the fight they need to get involved in

I don't agree with what they're doing but the natives know they are using a broad interpretation of the treaty. The treaty is meant to allow natives to fish to feed their families. They're abusing it and selling the Lobsters they catch for $$$... I've heard them say the treaty doesn't define what feed or provide for their family really means... so certain individuals are just catching Lobsters and selling them.. which I think is BS. If you aren't eating the Lobster and selling them for $$$ then you should abide by the same laws as everyone else. Not all of them doing this.. but some of them are and that is what is pissing off the fisherman. 

 

[spur1]

This lies squarely on the shoulders of the federal government. 21 years of inaction has led to this. 
This is a prime example of systematic racism made even worse with overt racism. 
However I do have some understanding for the fishermen trying to ensure protection of the lobster stocks. I don’t blame them for not trusting the Feds to protect the stock as the Feds have already botched other fisheries spectacularly. 

[thejazz97]

More from today:

 

 

[JM_]

7 minutes ago, peaches5 said:

I don't agree with what they're doing but the natives know they are using a broad interpretation of the treaty. The treaty is meant to allow natives to fish to feed their families. They're abusing it and selling the Lobsters they catch for $$$... I've heard them say the treaty doesn't define what feed or provide for their family really means... so certain individuals are just catching Lobsters and selling them.. which I think is BS. If you aren't eating the Lobster and selling them for $$$ then you should abide by the same laws as everyone else. Not all of them doing this.. but some of them are and that is what is pissing off the fisherman. 

 

If that is true, and we don't know that, its not up to the NS fishermen to decide what the law is or what a fair income is for someone else's family. 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by Robert Long

[thejazz97]

5 minutes ago, peaches5 said:

I don't agree with what they're doing but the natives know they are using a broad interpretation of the treaty. The treaty is meant to allow natives to fish to feed their families. They're abusing it and selling the Lobsters they catch for $$$... I've heard them say the treaty doesn't define what feed or provide for their family really means... so certain individuals are just catching Lobsters and selling them.. which I think is BS. If you aren't eating the Lobster and selling them for $$$ then you should abide by the same laws as everyone else. Not all of them doing this.. but some of them are and that is what is pissing off the fisherman. 

 

it’s ‘moderate livelihood’, actually... and regardless, it’s been their land and their way of life for thousands of years.

[Dazzle]

2 minutes ago, peaches5 said:

I don't agree with what they're doing but the natives know they are using a broad interpretation of the treaty. The treaty is meant to allow natives to fish to feed their families. They're abusing it and selling the Lobsters they catch for $$$... I've heard them say the treaty doesn't define what feed or provide for their family really means... so certain individuals are just catching Lobsters and selling them.. which I think is BS. If you aren't eating the Lobster and selling them for $$$ then you should abide by the same laws as everyone else. Not all of them doing this.. but some of them are and that is what is pissing off the fisherman. 

 

This is what is wrong with the interpretation of the treaty. The indigenous peoples livelihoods were disrupted and destroyed when the settlers took over the land. Sometimes there were treaties set up to alleviate the losses, but there were a lot of broken promises. The fact that indigenous peoples used oral contracts to solidify these deals was a reason why they got ripped off. The idiom "you have my word" means nothing in actuality. Indigenous peoples continue to get ripped off, and this is no exception.

[-SN-]

RCMP consistently standing around doing nothing. I can only assume they're happy to let someone else assault indigenous people for a while. Disgusting inaction. 

[Warhippy]

6 minutes ago, peaches5 said:

I don't agree with what they're doing but the natives know they are using a broad interpretation of the treaty. The treaty is meant to allow natives to fish to feed their families. They're abusing it and selling the Lobsters they catch for $$$... I've heard them say the treaty doesn't define what feed or provide for their family really means... so certain individuals are just catching Lobsters and selling them.. which I think is BS. If you aren't eating the Lobster and selling them for $$$ then you should abide by the same laws as everyone else. Not all of them doing this.. but some of them are and that is what is pissing off the fisherman. 

 

Wrong.  They're allowed to sell the lobster as they see fit.  As are our first nations here in BC with sockeye salmon.  There is no stipulation in any treaties that I have read or am a part of that stipulate what a first nations member must do with their catch.

 

I can literally shoot an elk 100 meters off of the highway, dress it and sell the meat at a farmers market without blinking.  There's no broad interpretation only ignorance of what they think is unfair.

 

As for your not agreeing with what they're doing.  How generous of you to not agree with families being held with armed guard, while their livelihood is burned to the ground and children are forcibly degraded in front of their parents who are being physically assaulted for literally doing what they're legally and rightfully allowed to do.