Alabama’s gotten me so upset, Tennessee made me lose my rest, And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Nina Simone, Mississippi Goddam
KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – Things are getting really bad in Digby County. Last night a Mi’kmaq lobster boat was torched and completely destroyed in Comeauville, Digby County, just a hop and a skip away from the Saulnierville wharf.
The boat belonged to Robert Sylliboy of Sipekne’katik First Nation, who used it to fish during the commercial lobster season. He told CBC that he uses a smaller boat when he exercises his First Nations treaty right to a moderate livelihood fishery.
“My dad always taught me , it’s not about how many times you get knocked down , it’s about how fast you get back up ! .. I’m not going anywhere . I’ll stand tall for my nation ! This is part of the uphill battle,” Sylliboy wrote on Facebook.
Syliboy also said he is not going to point fingers at who or what may have caused the fire. However, there’s no doubt it was somebody aligned with angry white fishers, trying to fan the flames of racism just as things began to quiet down a bit.
It’s high time for DFO Minister Jordan to put an end to this racist violence.
Jordan must send a clear message that the Mi’kmaq moderate livelihood fishery is here to stay in exactly the way that it is being exercised now, meaning with the environmental checks and balances put in place by the Sipekne’katik First Nation.
It’s the 21 years of DFO inaction and looking the other way that encourages white fishers to believe that a Mi’kmaw moderate living fishery can be stopped. Until they are made to understand otherwise, provocateurs will continue to play these racist games.
Somebody could get killed.
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“Jordan must send a clear message that the Mi’kmaq moderate livelihood fishery is here to stay in exactly the way that it is being exercised now, meaning with the environmental checks and balances put in place by the Sipekne’katik First Nation.” I could not agree more! I am incensed at these racist acts! The government must act to protect Mi’kmaq fishermen and their property!