April 29, 2022
Mi’kmaw Harvesters from Pictou Landing First Nation will be taking to the waters under their community’s Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan, to fish for a moderate livelihood on April 30, 2022.
Like many Mi’kmaw communities, Pictou Landing has been working with their community members to develop a Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan, that outlines and provides community authority and management for their Constitutionally protected Right to fish for a moderate livelihood. Pictou Landing’s authorized harvesters will be able to fish and sell, pursuant to their Right and according to their community Plan, with the understanding of Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
“Our community harvesters are very excited to have developed this path forward and I am pleased to see that they are able to provide for their families and our community through exercising their Treaty Rights,” said Chief Andrea Paul, Pictou Landing First Nation. “The courts have spoken and seeing our community members out on the waters, safely exercising their rights is an exciting day for everyone in Pictou Landing!”
Pictou Landing and DFO met through formal consultation and came to an interim understanding on how Pictou Landing would implement their Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan, without having to sign any agreements or change how Pictou Landings community harvesters want to see their Treaty Rights implemented.
“Our community built a solid plan, and we were open and transparent with industry and government alike on what our harvesters wanted to do. We recognize the work undertaken by our fellow Mi’kmaw communities to see that the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia can earn a living through fishing, which has been an important part of our culture since time immemorial.”
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs continues to support decisions made by Mi’kmaw communities on how they will proceed with their Netukulimk Livelihood Fishery and sees today’s announcement from Pictou Landing as another step in the right direction towards self-governance. While interim understandings with DFO are allowing community harvesters to fish for a living, the Assembly still sees the need for significant changes within the Fisheries Act to allow for the Mi’kmaq to truly self-govern moderate livelihood fisheries outside of DFO’s system and licenses.