Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office – Representatives of the DFO Conservation and Protection (C&P) officers, who seized traps from Potlotek and Eskasoni authorized harvesters, refused to attend the consultation discussions (between DFO and Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs) to explain their actions and DFO representatives in attendance said they would not exercise authority over C&P officers.

While the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia have done their due diligence, bringing all documents, including Community Netukulimk Management Plans, to the table for transparent and fulsome discussions, what is being said by the Minister publicly about working in good faith with the Mi’kmaq, is not the direction that her Negotiations Team is taking. Since the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia see the discussions with Canada failing them at a critical moment, the Mi’kmaq are now prioritizing a new way forward.