"Canadian Indigenous Rights Matter"

The arsonist fire, a few nights ago at a Mi’kmaw owned processing facility, seemed an escalation that would finally force politicians reticent to get involved in what they hoped was a small disagreement between two groups, in a small east coast fishing village in Nova Scotia, to bring some oversight to the situation.

To date politicians and presumably an RCMP detachment that stood idly by, have allowed a large group of disgruntled lobster harvesters to be violent towards a peaceful assembly of Indigenous people, exercising their Treaty rights on their land and water and their business property.

This will serve as a litmus test for all of us, as Canadians, and indeed our political representation in how we deal with an obvious “race” based issue. We must not comfort ourselves with thoughts, that the systemic race tribulations of our neighbours to the south of us never happen here and a feeling of superiority that we live in such a better place, where racism against blacks, visible minority’s or Indigenous does not exist.

The issue over lobster trapping rights is being fronted as an economic story, a right by large commercial entities to earn more than a "modest livelihood" against a people on their lands, who are deemed by the government to earn just a “Modest Livelihood” on their own lands and waterways.

It was also sparked by the Mi'kmaw people opening up of a processing facility, creating a vertical business model, a practice seen as sound business policy around the globe.

The fact that the over harvesting has generally been caused by large non-Indigenous companies make me believe this is more about loss revenue versus a rights of entitlement or as claimed, the Mi’kmaw are being environmentally irresponsible, which seems a stretch against a people who’s world view does not allow such activity to be considered.

The irony is lost on too many of course, as Western thinking leans into 'cemented” stereotypes, that Indigenous do not have any rights beyond what a Settlers people have given to them. Plus the oft used "we already give them everything why do they have to have the right to fish and hunt as well".

They could indeed stake eminent right of way, to most of Atlantic Canada, but instead have moved to get along and instead live and work within the Treaty rights they agreed with the British Crown in 1761. Yes, it is a long time ago and they have reaffirmed the right 20 some years ago through litigation to these rights, although the modern government restricted their freedoms by adding the “MODERATE” designation.

I am not sure what is meant by “MODERATE" in this case and seems like other times when a politician makes an erroneous decision to quickly settle an uncomfortable matter form consideration and enable a move back to less contentious issues.

We have a situation where the worlds eyes are upon us a nation and as a people, how we handle a modern day suppression and attack upon Aboriginal rights and people and how indeed utilise a Police force, "sworn to protect", that does not seem inclined nor motivated to tackle the issue straight on. It has now ended in not only property violence but left a person fighting for their live.

The claim of economic hardship also rings hollow, as the largest commercial fishery in Canada, that has super boats that lay thousands of traps in a single run, commandeering thousand of acres of sea for their personal growth. One would question if the company and their CEO is monitored in the ability to earn a “moderate livelihood”.

The average income of a Lobster fisherman is an issue, and yes it can be ridiculously low for the dangers involved and the intensity of being in the industry. Yet this anger should not be directed at the Mi’kmaw people, as it is squarely on the shoulders of the large commercial fishing companies, as well as the government in insuring an important export commodity and its harvesters are well supported, to earn a “Moderate Livelihood”.

The land and rights granted to the Sipekne’katik and all Mi’kmaw people and the rights to a year round harvesting is in dispute, but it is not disputable.

The fact that they may be selling on the rights to non Indigenous entities to harvest out of seasonal guidelines for non- Indigenous people, may be tilting the rights as originally intended and do cause a contentious issue. But the rights of a landlord or an owner to utilise their property are held fairly sacred in the rest of Canadian life, so while it is a point of discussion, it should not illicit such acts of violence the country has seen in these past few weeks.

In following the story I have been motivated to support and really impressed by the response of those attacked, the Sipekne’katik Chief, Mike Sack, has calmly requested their rights and protections as Indigenous Canadians are honoured and it is time for the Federal Government, and indeed my party leader, Justin Trudeau, to get involved and stop the actions of a few, that are harming us all.

Douglas Sheridan

@Indigenousnewsnetwork #respect4others #bekind