Webinar on Fostering Reconciliation Between First Nations & Non-Indigenous Fishers in Atlantic Canada

On October 23, our recent webinar spotlighted the impact of two landmark Canadian Supreme Court rulings from 1999 that reshaped Atlantic Canada’s fishing industry. These rulings affirmed the Treaty rights of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy First Nations to operate self-regulated fisheries and underscored the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) duty to consult before regulating First Nations’ fishing activities. Following these decisions, the Canadian government worked to expand First Nations’ commercial fisheries, leading to economic growth and job creation in Indigenous communities. Yet, despite this progress, the full realization of court-recognized Treaty rights remains a challenge, and tensions with non-Indigenous fisheries groups persist. The project team is committed to fostering peace and reconciliation by working collaboratively with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, sharing knowledge, and exploring new pathways for balanced fisheries management in Atlantic Canada.