(Unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Prince George, B.C. – Oct. 19, 2020) — The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) and Tribal Chief Mina Holmes stand in support of the Sipekne’katik Nation’s protected right to fish under the Constitution of Canada, and calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take definitive action against escalation of destruction and violence against the Mi’kmaq people.
CSTC member nations have witnessed the apathy and inaction of RCMP in response to acts of violence towards the Mi’kmaq people. It is the responsibility of the federal government to immediately ensure Canadian laws that protect treaty rights to earn a living from fishing are enforced.
The escalating events in the Atlantic lobster fishery dispute are further revealing a deeply flawed standard of justice that is fueled by systemic racism.
Immediate action from the highest level of government must be taken as those inciting hatred and fear have instilled and perpetuated an environment of lawlessness and little action has been taken to prosecute this criminal behavior.
CSTC works hard to build on promises of reconciliation from all levels of government and continues to support meaningful progress and respect for the rights, title and jurisdiction of it member First Nations. We stand in solidarity with Mi’kmaq communities and call on the federal government to exercise its power in upholding the constitution.