St. Mary’s Bay in southwestern Nova Scotia is full of lobster. It is one of the most plentiful spots within the most lucrative lobster fishing area (LFA 34, technically) in Canada. It is also—as its name suggests—a bay. Flanked by the long peninsula of Digby Neck and its islands, the bay’s long, narrow body of […]
Stefan Sinclair-Fortin
Posted inNews + Opinion
Lobster livelihood fishery talks hit bottom
The Sipekne’katik First Nation says it is ceasing discussions with the federal government about the implementation of a treaty-rights-based lobster fishery. An open letter signed by chief Mike Sack, sent Thursday to federal fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, expressed the band’s frustration, saying Jordan’s department doesn’t have “the desire nor the ability to recognize and implement […]
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“They’re on the right path,” says western First Nation chief about purchase of Clearwater by Mi’kmaq coalition
What does Alberta’s oil sands industry have in common with the east coast lobster fishery? Besides employing lots of Nova Scotians, both involve First Nations-owned businesses in a major way. A pending deal means nobody will have more shellfish licenses in Canada than a group of Mi’kmaq First Nations. And Fort McKay First Nation calls […]
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How did it get to this? A recent timeline of Indigenous lobster-fishing rights.
Despite a decades-old Supreme Court ruling squarely in their favour, Indigenous fishers still struggle to assert their rights to fish for a moderate livelihood. As this timeline of modern history shows, a lack of help from the federal government to put established rights into practise is nothing new, even as such inaction repeatedly enables violence and intimidation […]
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Mi’kmaq Coalition buys Clearwater, becomes Canada’s largest holder of shellfish licenses
On Monday, a coalition of Mi’kmaq First Nations, led by Membertou and Miawpukek First Nations, reached a deal to buy Clearwater Seafoods. Together with their new business partner, British Columbia-based Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, they are acquiring the seafood giant in a deal worth approximately $1 billion. “Clearwater is one of the largest fully-integrated seafood […]