By Dispensing Freedom Staff DIGBY, N.S. – A Mi’kmaq entrepreneur and Micmac Rights Association (MRA) member was seized by the RCMP in a warrantless raid on the Peace and Friendship Trading Post, jailed overnight in oppressive conditions, and brought to court in leg irons – all without any new charges being laid – in what…
Sovereignty is not theoretical: Why Mi’kmaq treaty rights are on trial in Nova Scotia’s cannabis crackdown
Turtle Island Affairs reports on Indigenous Nations and issues across Turtle Island, beyond colonial borders. Written By Troy Littledeer (MI’KMA’KI) When Nova Scotia’s Attorney General announced on Dec. 4 that the province would intensify enforcement against “illegal cannabis” regardless of location, Mi’kmaq advocates heard something else entirely: the province asserting control over an economy that…
Cannabis and human trafficking not clearly linked, N.S. police say
RCMP say cannabis and human trafficking are significant issues, but no evidence of a connection Nova Scotia’s two largest police forces say they don’t see direct connections between human trafficking and the unregulated cannabis market in the province. Premier Tim Houston and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong deny having “directly” tied the two issues, however both…
MRA Issues Action Plan in response to Nova Scotia attack on treaty rights
Based on the input and discussions had at the Dec 15th 2025 MRA meeting in Truro, the MRA executive recommends that the following plan of action be adopted by the MRA: 1. The MRA executive will immediately write another formal letter to the Province, cc’d to the Governor General, Minister of Indian Affairs, Prime Minister,…
Micmac Rights Association members meet in Truro to respond to Provincial threats
TRURO, N.S. – Over 60 members of the Micmac Rights Association (MRA) packed a conference hall in Truro on Sunday, December 14, 2025 for a meeting addressing what many participants described as a provincial “declaration of war” on Mi’kmaq treaty rights. The meeting brought together owners and representatives of Mi’kmaq truckhouses and trading posts from…
RCMP not aware of fentanyl in illegal cannabis in Nova Scotia, despite premier’s claims
The Nova Scotia RCMP says it’s not aware of any fentanyl-laced cannabis being sold by unauthorized cannabis retailers in the province, after the premier made this claim in a news conference last week. Houston’s remarks came amid growing tension between the province and Mi’kmaw communities after a directive earlier this month from Attorney General and Justice Minister…
N.S. dispensary raided following government directive to crackdown on cannabis
The Canadian Press · Original Article Nova Scotia RCMP say they issued a ticket and seized cannabis and cash after executing a search warrant at a cannabis dispensary in Digby, N.S., on Monday. This seizure occurred 11 days after the provincial government called on all Nova Scotia police agencies to prioritize cannabis enforcement by identifying and…
Opposition MLAs call on premier to repair relationship with Mi’kmaw chiefs
Michael Gorman · CBC News · Original Article Opposition politicians say it is up to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston to find a way to lower tensions between his government and Mi’kmaw leadership in the province. “The premier has to pick up the phone, he has to reach out to the chiefs,” Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette told reporters…
N.S. RCMP says it was already tackling illegal cannabis before minister’s directive
By The Canadian Press Dec 08, 2025 The Nova Scotia RCMP say they have no plans to change their approach to tackling illegal cannabis in the province, despite a new provincial government directive calling for a police crackdown. Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Cst. Mandy Edwards said that’s because Mounties in the province are already enforcing existing…
Mi’kmaq chiefs, former attorney general disappointed with N.S. cannabis directive
By Lyndsay Armstrong The Canadian Press Mi’kmaq chiefs and a former Nova Scotia justice minister are criticizing the provincial government for directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis and asking for First Nations’ support in that effort, saying the order undermines relations with Indigenous Peoples. Sipekne’katik First Nation Chief Michelle Glasgow said in a statement on Friday…