AMC statement on Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs declaring state of emergency
September 18, 2020
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
alexpapineau
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – “On behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), I offer our unconditional support to the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs in their declared state of emergency, which was issued today as incidents of violence have arisen across Nova Scotia.
All Chiefs in Manitoba stand in solidarity with our Mi’kmaw colleagues as they assert their right to fish for a moderate livelihood, and as they defend this right in the face of violence directed at the Mi’kmaw fisheries from the mainstream society and from the commercial fishing industry in Nova Scotia.
This violence is unacceptable in all circumstances, but it is particularly abhorrent in light of the September 17 anniversary of the Marshall Decision, which affirmed the Treaty right of First Nations to fish for a moderate livelihood, and in light of R v Sparrow which affirmed the unextinguished Aboriginal right to fish. In the spirit of the peace and friendship Treaties of the east coast, I call upon the Minister of the Department of Oceans and Fisheries and the Minister of Indigenous Services to immediately intervene in this volatile situation and to implement the binding agreements, initiatives and investments that resulted from the Marshall Decision and work with First Nations to avoid any further violence.”
– Grand Chief Arlen Dumas