Advertisement

N.S. premier responds to N.S. assembly of chiefs co-chair stepping down

Click to play video: 'Premier responds to NS Assembly of Mi’kmaw Chiefs stepping down'
Premier responds to NS Assembly of Mi’kmaw Chiefs stepping down
The departure of Chief Terry Paul from the Assembly of Mi'kmaw chiefs is raising concerns over how moderate livelihood negotiations are being conducted. As Graeme Benjamin reports, the premier says he doesn’t believe it will have a significant impact on discussions around defining a moderate livelihood – Oct 29, 2020

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil responded to Membertou Chief Terry Paul’s decision to step down as co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, saying he doesn’t believe it will cause major issues with the province.

“We continue to work with not only Membertou but all chiefs across the province,” he said.

“I think it highlights, when you’re dealing with these policy issues, if you’re trying to solve them one community at a time, you create this kind of situation where Chief Terry felt it was better to step away and negotiate on the behalf of Membertou.”

READ MORE: Co-chair of N.S. Assembly of Mi’kmaw Chiefs steps down amid moderate livelihood fishery dispute

Chief Terry Paul made the announcement Wednesday, saying he’s lost confidence in the organization over time. The decision came five days after moderate livelihood discussions between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the assembly were halted.

Story continues below advertisement

He also said he had distrust with some of the issues at hand, specifically with the fishery files.

Click to play video: 'N.S. Assembly of Chiefs co-chair steps down'
N.S. Assembly of Chiefs co-chair steps down

The elder statesman of the assembly had spent decades as co-chair and has served 36 years as chief of the Membertou First Nation. Last week, he was elected to the position for another four years.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Global News has reached out to the chief for comment on his decision, but a spokesperson for Membertou says he’s been busy in meetings with stakeholders.

“While I understand, there are many employees who work every day for our communities, I have distrust in some of the issues at hand, primarily with the Fisheries files,” Chief Paul said in a statement Wednesday.

Ken Coates, a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, says Chief Paul’s decision to step down as co-chair is an example of the frustration felt by Mi’kmaq communities trying to exercise their right to fish for a moderate livelihood.

Story continues below advertisement

“He’s not doing this because he dislikes the people or the organization, he’s taking a very important stand on perhaps the single most important issue facing Mi’kmaq people,” said Coates.

READ MORE: Sipekne’katik First Nation fishery secures buyer for its lobster

Coates said the timing of the chief stepping down is designed to have an impact on the process of applying more pressure on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

“His statements make it clear that he believes that the First Nations and the assembly should be throwing their support behind those who are pushing to expand the moderate livelihood fishery,” he said.

“When you get processes like this, it escalates it and you take it out of the administrative realm and into the political realm.”

Speaking after a cabinet meeting Thursday, McNeil reiterated that he believes commercial fishermen should be at the table for talks between Indigenous leaders and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

“To me, the way to find the right solution to this is to have everyone at the table,” the premier said. “As Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy would say, this cannot be solved one community at a time.

“The assembly should be at that table on behalf of all Mi’kmaq communities.”

Story continues below advertisement
Click to play video: 'Ottawa condemns violence over N.S. lobster fisheries'
Ottawa condemns violence over N.S. lobster fisheries

Sponsored content

AdChoices