A landmark ruling in the Supreme Court of Canada is being celebrated on Thursday.
It was on this day in 1999 that the court upheld Donald Marshall Jr.’s First Nations fishing rights.
Marshall was charged by DFO after landing more than 400 pounds of eel during a 1993 fishing trip and subsequently selling it.
The case reached the Supreme Court who ruled in 1999 that a series of Treaties signed in 1760-61 by Mi’kmaq and the British Crown are still valid.
The “Peace and Friendship” Treaties state that Mi’kmaq have the right to harvest and sell fish and wildlife to provide a ‘moderate livelihood’.
First Nations have been waiting since that ruling for a definition of what constitutes a moderate livelihood.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan told Y95 News in January that work toward defining a moderate livelihood is ongoing.
Meantime, what could prove to be another historic moment is going ahead at Saulnierville Wharf in Digby County on Thursday morning.
The Sipekne’katik First Nation will be issuing its own Moderate Livelihood licenses to band members who meet the requirements.
Members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation and all Mi’kmaw in the province are encouraged to be at Saulnierville Wharf as a show of support.
There will also be a ceremonial blessing of the fleet; the event is slated for 11 a.m.
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde issued a statement on facebook noting his concern surrounding recent protests.
He reaffirmed First Nations Treaty Right to fish, and also noted that he will also be reaching out to Minister Bernadette Jordan for an appropriate response from Canada.
Y95 listeners report that a contingent of more than 40 fishing boats from across Southwest Nova have reportedly come together in Saint Mary’s Bay.
As of 8:30 Thursday morning, the vessels are sitting in the Bay as of sign of protest against what they call the illegal fishery taking place by Indigenous fishers.
Read and hear more on the ongoing tensions in St. Mary’s Bay here, here, and here.