Ku’ku’kwes News: In a letter dated April 30, the chair for the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) asked Leslie Norton, Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to explain what Canada has done to:

• Investigate alleged acts of racism, violence and vandalism against Mi’kmaw fishers and supporters
• Investigate alleged lack of response by officers with the RCMP and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to protect Mi’kmaw people
• Prevent further acts of violence, racist hate speech, incitement of violence and destruction of property against Mi’kmaw people
• Respect, protect and guarantee the rights of Mi’kmaw people right to fish and be consulted

The CERD chair has also requested that Canada “provide details on the status of the treaties concluded between 1760 and 1761 and the implementation of Mi’kmaq fishing rights under such treaties.”