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Inside the decades-long East Coast battle between fishers and the federal government over Mi'kmaw treaty rights

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter SYDNEY- Rules for the upcoming spring fishing season were developed and announced ahead of schedule says a Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokesperson. Minister Bernadette Jordan’s statement that L’nu moderate livelihood fisheries will be required to fish under the department’s licences and within the established commercial fishing season have received harsh criticism from First Nations representatives. In particular, Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn, the negotiating body for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs, has taken the stance that Jordan...

  HALIFAX -- Mi'kmaq chiefs in Nova Scotia say Ottawa's new plan to address a conflict between Indigenous and commercial fishers is an attempt by government to control fishing rights that aren't in its mandate. The Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish shouldn't be defined by industry or the federal government, Chief Gerald Toney of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs told a virtual news conference Thursday. He said the plan released Wednesday by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan is unacceptable. "Minister Jordan once again made clear that she sees the Department of Fisheries and Ocean...

Posted: Mar 05, 2021 7:35 AM AT | Last Updated: March 5 Sipekne'katik fishers working on St. Marys Bay in November. (CBC) Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw chiefs reacted in unified opposition Thursday to conditions set this week by the federal government for an Indigenous moderate livelihood fishery. They say the terms required for Fisheries and Oceans authorization were imposed without adequate consultation or scientific justification. "Our nation is shocked by what the minister said. For them to make a unilateral decision without consultation was extremely shocking," said Chief Gerald Toney, of the Anna...

‘We absolutely listened’: Minister backs livelihood fisheries plan as some First Nations oppose it Elizabeth McSheffrey © Provided by Global News Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan has announced a 'new path' for First Nations pursuing moderate livelihood fisheries, but the plan is already facing opposition from some Nova Scotia First Nations. Jordan is seen in this file photo at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan is standing behind Ottawa's consultation process, as some No...