Treaty Protected Fishery

In September 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada released the Marshall decision. It was a landmark day for the Mi’kmaq. It confirmed what we have maintained for generations – that the Treaties signed by our ancestors guaranteed our right to hunt, fish and gather to generate a moderate livelihood.

It is important to remember that the Marshall decision did not grant the Mi’kmaq any rights.  Instead, it confirmed that the Mi’kmaq had an existing treaty right through the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1760-61, and that this existing right was protected under Canada’s Constitution.  In Epekwitk (PEI), the Lennox Island and Abegweit Councils are working with their communities to determine what the best next steps are for their respective First Nations in the exercise of the treaty right.


Fact Sheets


Podcast Episodes

Understanding the Epekwitk Mi'kmaq Treaty Protected Fishery – Part 1 Juku'e

Understanding the Epekwitk Mi'kmaq Treaty Protected Fishery – Part 2 Juku'e


Watch the video below to learn more about the history of the Treaty Protected Fishery and what the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq are doing today to exercise their rights.


Visit our Media Links section for more fisheries-related articles.



Special Thanks

About Loretta Gould

L’nuey was fortunate to collaborate with Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould in the creation and inspiration of images used in the Fisheries campaign – the third installment of our ongoing education initiative. Loretta’s art is spiritual and her love of bright, beautiful colours is evident in her work, with images that tell a story of Mi’kmaq life and serve as historical snapshots. Her signature style lends itself beautifully to helping create a better understanding about the Treaty Protected Fishery in Epekwitk.

About Rebecca Thomas

L’nuey was thrilled to once again have Rebecca Thomas lend her incredible voice and talent to narrating the Fisheries video. A band member of Lennox Island First Nation, Rebecca is an award-winning Mi’kmaq poet and activist, who, in addition to being published in various journals and magazines, has also written a critically-acclaimed children’s book. As a passionate advocate for education and protection of Mi’kmaq Rights, she was a natural fit for this important initiative.

‘How We Say Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/howwesayhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on November 6, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on March 4, 2024 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on March 12, 2024.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Definition of Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/ourhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on July 17, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on September 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on October 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Shaping the Epekwitk of Tomorrow’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all Mi’kmaq who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/progress, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on January 23, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on April 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on May 8, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Connected by Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/connected, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on December 12, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on January 31, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on February 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

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