"This fall, the Sipekne’katik First Nation has pressed ahead with off-season lobster fishing despite racist rhetoric and vigilantism that the RCMP has been criticized for failing to stop. Here’s what you need to know"
"Attacks on Mi’kmaq fishers in Nova Scotia are racist and unacceptable, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said Monday as he and fellow members of the Trudeau cabinet pledged measures to uphold their treaty rights. The Mounties have sent more officers to stop the violence and they now have authorization to bring in reinforcements from other Maritime provinces, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said.
Over the weekend, Chief Mike Sack of the Sipekne’katik First Nation said the RCMP weren’t enough to protect the fishery and Canada needs to send in the army instead. Since the Sipekne’katik launched their off-season fishery in mid-September, the fishermen, their customers and Chief Sack himself have faced violence from non-Indigenous people.
Middle West Pubnico: An angry mob of about 200 people attacked a lobster storage pound on Oct. 13, barricading Mi’kmaq fishers inside, pelting the building with rocks, destroying one of their vans and leaving their lobster strewn across the ground. Three days later, the same facility was destroyed in a suspicious fire. A man has been charged for the destruction of the van."
The Toronto Globe and Mail had the story October 19, 2020.
SEE ALSO:
"Mi’kmaw Fishery Dispute Is Not About Conservation, Scientists Say" (Hakai magazine)
"Halifax-Area Restaurants Haul Lobster Off The Menu In Support of Mi'kmaq" (CBC)
Opinion: "Jim Vibert: Violence Against Mi'kmaq 'Disgusting,' 'Racist'" (Halifax Chronicle Herald)
"Canadian Tribal Lobster Fishing Tensions In The Gulf Of Maine Turn Violent" (Bangor Daily News)
"Canada Condemns Attacks In Indigenous Fishing Dispute" (Reuters)
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