NunatuKavut president slams federal fishery enforcement on Canada Day
NunatuKavut Community Council President Todd Russell is criticizing the federal government on Canada Day, accusing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard of failing Labrador Inuit communities.
Russell says the Coast Guard recently refused to assist a stranded fishing boat near Charlottetown, Labrador, despite its mandate to ensure marine safety. He also alleges DFO officers targeted the NunatuKavut communal food fishery by seizing salmon and fishing nets from community members, including Elders.
“Earlier this week, the CCG had a vessel docked in Charlottetown, Labrador. They refused to help tow a stranded fishing boat that was broken down in the early hours of the morning, just a couple of hours away. It is incredibly concerning that the CCG was either unable or unwilling to help a boat and crew in a situation that could easily have turned into a tragedy. This is especially so as the CCG’s primary mandate is to “ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters…” It is an egregious example of the neglect we receive from the CCG.
Instead, the CCG is using its capacity, including helicopter support, to assist DFO with excessive presence and enforcement around the opening of an NCC-led and managed communal food fishery. In the meantime, DFO fisheries officers were out in full force the last couple of days intimidating our Elders and stealing salmon and nets from our people. Taking traditional foods from Indigenous people is hurtful and damaging to our people and culture.”
Russell says those actions undermine Indigenous rights and reconciliation, and is calling on both agencies to end enforcement efforts and honour Canada’s commitments to Indigenous peoples.
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