National Chief Perry Bellegarde Fully Supports the Listuguj First Nation in Exercising their Treaty Right to Fish in their Territory

OTTAWA – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says he supports the Listuguj First Nation as they assert their rights and conduct a commercial lobster fishery, this fall, despite Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) refusal to issue a commercial license. Listuguj, a Mi’gmaq First Nation in Quebec, has been trying to work with the DFO to exercise their rights to a moderate livelihood fishery – a right recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada within the Marshall Decision of 1999.

“The Supreme Court of Canada, in the Marshall Decision, made it clear, Canada and all its agencies must recognize the Treaty rights of the Listuguj First Nation to fish and to exercise a moderate livelihood through fishing,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “Fishing is a part of the Mi’gmaq people’s culture, identity and economy, and has been for generations. The Listuguj First Nation has been pursuing a peaceful and cooperative way forward. Any path must recognize and respect their Treaty rights, inherent rights and the decision of Canada’s own Supreme Court. I support their right to harvest and make a living off of lobster, and I stand with the citizens and leaders of the Listuguj First Nation.”

In 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed in the Marshall Decisio ...