Chief Mike Sack of the Sipekne’katik First Nation.
The Sipekne’katik First Nation has filed a lawsuit with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.
A statement of claim alleges non-Indigenous commercial fishers in Southwestern Nova Scotia ‘harassed and intimidated’ Indigenous fishers,’ stole or damaged their lobster traps, and operated their vessels in a reckless manner.’
The allegations stem from September, 2020 in St. Mary’s Bay, when the first nation opened an out of season moderate livelihood fishery.
The claim says the opening of the fishery ‘provoked a violent response from non-Indigenous commercial fishers and their supporters.’
The lawsuit also mentions that DFO and the RCMP ‘failed to deter or prevent the unlawful acts.’
The Bay of Fundy Inshore Fisherman’s Association is named as a defendant, along with several crew members of fishing boats in Western Nova Scotia.
Acadia News reached a representative of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fisherman’s Association, who was unable to provide a comment.
A request for comment from DFO has not been returned.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
