Weekend video: All eyes on Mi’kma’ki
This weekend we present All eyes on Mi’kma’ki, an excellent documentary short on Sipekne’katik fishers’ struggle to assert their treaty rights and establish a moderate livelihood fishery to support the community.
This weekend we present All eyes on Mi’kma’ki, an excellent documentary short on Sipekne’katik fishers’ struggle to assert their treaty rights and establish a moderate livelihood fishery to support the community.
Saturday, Sept 26, 11am, Halifax Waterfront (by the big wave)
Mi’kmaw fishers are currently under attack by angry non-indigenous fishers who mistakingly claim that Mi’kmaw fisheries have no basis in Canadian law. Come out to show solidarity with Mi’kmaq people earning a moderate livelihood through the fishery!
This weekend’s documentary, Martha Stiegman’s In defense of our treaties, looks at the fishers of Bear River First Nation, in Annapolis County, who proudly held on to their treaty rights and insisted on fishing the waters of the Bay of Fundy on their own terms, not on terms imposed by the Department of Fisheries.
We first posted this video in 2016, but with all that’s happening these days in Digby County, not all that far from Bear River, a re-post is warranted.
Media release: Effective immediately, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chief is declaring a state of emergency due to political unrest for the whole of the mainland of Nova Scotia.
Media release: The Council of Canadians has learned Alton Gas appears to be working on site this week, despite a Supreme Court ruling in Nova Scotia overturning their industrial permit while they consult with Sipekne’katik First Nation.
On a chilly Thursday earlier this week about 100 people rallied in front of the Halifax Regional Police Station on Gottingen Street to show solidarity with Wet’suwet’en land defenders fighting the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline.
Robin Tress, of the Council of Canadians speaks at Law Amendments about Bill 213, the Sustainable Development Goals Act. She makes some great points, about respecting treaty rights, the tendency of governments to allow corporate interests to frame the discussion, and the nature of true consultations.
Many different groups have challenged Mi’kmaw sovereignty over A’Se’k and the area around it, and for centuries, the Mi’kmaq have resisted and protected their homeland. Historian Colin Osmond describes how today’s Mi’kmaq protectors of A’se’k walk in the footsteps and shadows of generations of Mi’kmaq who have done the same.
Last week Mi’kmaw Water Protectors traveled to Antigonish to confront politicians attending the annual meeting of the provincial Liberals about federal efforts to accommodate the Alton Gas Project. Sadie Beaton explains what is going on. Video by Eliza Knockwood included
Today, the RCMP moved to enforce an injunction on behalf of Alton Gas (a subsidiary of Alberta-based AltaGas) against Mi’kmaq water protectors at the Shubenacadie River. They arrested Mi’kmaq grandmothers, and have blocked others from accessing the site.
Join us at the legislature to make a public show of solidarity against this clear violation of the treaties of Peace and Friendship.