Nova Scotia Anglers' Handbook & 2013 Summary of Regulations

the concept of Netukulimk, the objective includes achievingadequate standards of community nutrition andeconomic well being, without jeopardizing the integrity,diversity or productivity of our native environment.Dear Friends:As Grand Chief of the Mi’kmaq Nation, it is withgreat pleasure and pride that I introduce to you inthis insert, the Mi’kmaq concept and tradition ofNETUKULIMK.Pasimay SilipayKji-saqmaw wjit Mi’kmaqThe Mi’kmaq Aboriginal people of Nova Scotia havebeen harvesting animal, fowl, fish and plant life forover 10,000 years. We have managed this harvestwithin our own communities since time immemorialand continue to do so today. Our past, present andfuture Mi’kmaq society and economy is based onthe use of the natural resources. Conservation andmanagement of these resources have and still arean important part of Mi’kmaq culture. We have anintimate knowledge of the land, waters and naturallife in and around Mi’kma’ki, our traditional territory,part of which is present day Nova Scotia.After European contact some 500 years ago, theMi’kmaq and the British established formal agreementfor a co-existence and friendship relationshipthrough a series of Nation to Nation Treaties.“When the English began to make their newhomes in our land our fore fathers protected thelivelihood and survival of the Mi’kmaq by signingTreaties with their Kings. Throughout the seasonsthe Treaties have remained.”Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr.October 1, 1986Today the Mi’kmaq harvest the natural resources througha concept known as Netukulimk. Netukulimk includesthe use of the natural bounty, provided by the Creator,for the self-support and well being of the individual andthe community at large. Without limiting the meaning ofThe Constitution of Canada has entrenched Aboriginaland Treaty Rights within the laws of Canada. As a resultof this, the courts have upheld the rights contained in theTreaty of 1752 and the underlying Aboriginal right thatthe Mi’kmaq have to harvest natural resources in NovaScotia under their traditional authority and guidelines.Article 4 of the Treaty of 1752 states in part:“It is agreed that the said Tribe of Indians (Mi’kmaq)shall not be hindered from, but have free liberty ofhunting, fishing and fowling as usual...”On October 1, 1993 the Premier of Nova Scotia,the Honourable John Savage formally proclaimed onbehalf of Nova Scotia ‘the Government of Nova Scotiarecognizes all Treaties which were signed in good faithbetween the Crown and the Mi’kmaq”.In Nova Scotia there are some 70,000 sportfishermenand some 77,000 sport hunters within the non-nativecommunity. The total Aboriginal harvesting communityrepresents ½ of 1 per cent of the total non-nativepopulation hunting and fishing today.We have made our peace and friendship and we haveagreed to co-exist and co-share. Today it is time towork together to ensure that all our children will havethe same right or privilege to access animal, fowl, fish,and plant life in the future.For more information about our work and concernsabout our natural environment contact:The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaqPO Box 1590, 57 Martin CrescentTruro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5V3Tel (902) 895-6385 Fax (902) 893-1520Unama’ki Institute of Natural ResourcesPO Box 8096, Eskasoni, NS, B1W 1C2Tel (902) 379-2163 Fax (902) 379-2250Native Council of Nova ScotiaPO Box 1320Truro, NS, B2N 5N2Toll-free 1-800-565-4372 Fax (902) 895-002438 A n g l e r s ' H A n d b o o k • 2 0 1 3