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 directed at Indigenous fishers.
1993
Donald Marshall Jr. is charged and convicted of fishing and selling eels out of season and without a licence. He argues he has the right to do so, stated in the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed between the British and the Mi’kmaq in the 18th century. He appeals his conviction.
September 17, 1999
The Supreme Court of Canada acquits Marshall of all charges, upholding his rights. The court stated, “The accused’s treaty rights are limited to securing ‘necessaries’ (which should be construed in the modern context as equivalent to a moderate livelihood).”
October 18, 1999
A group of non-Indigenous fishers protests the Supreme Court’s ruling. The West Nova Fisherman’s Coalition applies for a rehearing of Marshall’s case.
November 17, 1999
The rehearing is denied, but the court adds a clarification to its initial ruling, stating federal and provincial governments have the power “to regulate the exercise of a treaty right where justified on conservation or other grounds.”
2000
In Burnt Church (New Brunswick), southwestern Nova Scotia and elsewhere, tensions escalate into violence, injuries and property damage. Indigenous fishers attempt to exercise their treaty rights and clash with groups of non-Indigenous fishers, DFO and RCMP officers.
2000 to 2007
Fisheries and Oceans Canada responds to the Supreme Court’s ruling with several programs to give First Nations access to the commercial fishery. The Marshall Response Initiative gives commercial licences, boats, gear, money and training to First Nations communities. This is offered in exchange for signing interim agreements to fish under the DFO’s rules. Fishing licences are bought back from non-Indigenous fishers at highly inflated prices, while the gear and boats offered to Indigenous fishers are often in poor condition.
2017
Independent consultant Jim Jones is appointed by the minister of fisheries to negotiate with First Nations communities. But moderate livelihood is still not defined. Meanwhile tensions begin to build again, as some non-Indigenous fishers accuse Indigenous fishers of illegally selling lobster and call on the DFO to step up enforcement.
2019
Three First Nation communities sign Rights and Reconciliation Agreements with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Some Mi’kmaw leaders raise concerns about the impact of the new deals on treaty rights, saying they’re a 10-year stall tactic.
September 15, 2020
In southwestern Nova Scotia, Indigenous fishers fishing for a moderate livelihood confront protesters who oppose them fishing in St. Mary’s Bay outside of the commercial season.
September 17, 2020
The Sipekne’katik First Nation launches its own moderate livelihood fishery, using its own management plan. Some non-Indigenous fishers protest the new fishery.
September 18, 2020
A state of emergency is declared by the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs due to violence between the fishing communities. Two people are arrested on assault charges in Weymouth, NS.
September 21, 2020
During the weekend following the opening of the livelihood fishery, some non-Indigenous fishers cut trap lines and vandalize gear belonging to Indigenous fishers, and on Monday dump traps outside a federal office building.
September 25, 2020
Fishers of the Sipekne’katik First Nation’s livelihood fishery struggle to sell their catches, as government regulations prohibit buying from fishers who don’t hold a commercial licence.
October 1, 2020
In Cape Breton, Potlotek First Nation launches a livelihood fishery under its own management plan.
October 14, 2020
Two lobster pounds in southwestern Nova Scotia containing Indigenous-caught lobster are surrounded by angry mobs. One lobster pound is ransacked and a van outside of one of the lobster pounds is set on fire. Police say about 200 people are involved in both incidents.
Oct 17, 2020
In Middle West Pubnico, NS, a lobster pound holding Indigenous catch burns down. Police call the fire suspicious.
October 21, 2020
A temporary injunction is issued by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge. The injunction attempts to end harassment, blockades and other interference against members of the Sipekne'katik First Nation attempting to fish.
October 30, 2020
The Sipekne'katik First Nation decides to not fish its commercial lobster licenses this season out of concerns for safety, after violence and intimidation following the opening of its moderate livelihood fishery.
November 4, 2020
Pictou Landing First Nation launches its own livelihood fishery. Other First Nations including Membertou and Bear River previously said they plan to do the same.
November 9, 2020
A coalition of Mi’kmaq First Nations partners with British Columbia-based Premium Brands Holdings Corporation to purchase Clearwater Seafoods in a deal worth $1 billion. Although completely separate from all First Nations’ livelihood fisheries, such a large and surprising deal may send shockwaves through the entire lobster-fishing industry that change the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishers.