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.
Media Links
- P.E.I.’s Lennox Island First Nation to launch treaty lobster fishery without DFO deal – CBC News
- P.E.I.’s Lennox Island First Nation moves ahead with lobster fishery without federal authorization – SaltWire Network
- Abegweit First Nation says it won’t launch treaty lobster fishery off P.E.I. this year – CBC News
- Moderate livelihood fishery in Abegweit First Nation not coming until community consensus – SaltWire Network
- RCMP working alongside First Nations in P.E.I. during moderate livelihood fishery opening, negotiations: minister – SaltWire Network
- Canadian Indigenous Community to Start Fishing Lobster Without Authorization From Government – Modern Farmer
- P.E.I. First Nation to launch fishery without government approval – CTV News
- Lennox Island First Nation not looking for conflict with new treaty-protected fishery – West Prince Graphic
- Why Lennox Island First Nation launching a treaty fishery without federal approval is significant – CBC News
- Epekwitk Assembly of Chiefs Denounces DFO Announcement
- P.E.I. Mi’kmaq chiefs, senator, denounce new DFO regulations on moderate livelihood fishery – The Guardian
- P.E.I. Mi’kmaw chiefs denounce DFO’s ‘moderate livelihood’ fishery plan – CBC News
- Epekwitk Assembly to launch campaign touting livelihood fishery as beneficial to the whole Island – peicanada.com
Visit our Media Links section for more fisheries-related articles.
Image Gallery
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.
