The Micmac Rights Association cordially invites you to join us as we stand against the Higgs government’s disrespect for Indigenous Treaty Rights and their raids on Micmac truck houses.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: June 4, 2024
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Location: Public Safety Office, 8 Castle Street, Saint John
- Details: Join former National Chief Del Riley, supporters of the Gitpu Trading Post, the Micmac Rights Association, head dancer Abby Brooks and the Wabz Confedz singers in support of Indigenous Treaty Rights.
BACKGROUNDER
On April 26, 2024, and again on May 23, 2024, New Brunswick Public Safety officers unlawfully raided the Gitpu Trading Post (91 Russell St., Saint John) to seize cannabis products which were being distributed in accordance with constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. The Province’s actions directly violated the 1763 Royal Proclamation, the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaty, Canada’s Constitution Act of 1982 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). Despite being fully informed of these breaches of Aboriginal and treaty rights, the raids proceeded.
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 explicitly grants Indigenous Peoples the “free and open right to trade with all our subjects.” Similarly, the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaty ensures Indigenous Peoples can sell “skins, feathers, fowl, fish or any thing they shall have to sell.” These rights are further reinforced by Section 25 and 35 of Canada’s Constitution Act, which safeguards any rights recognized by treaty or the Royal Proclamation from being diminished.
In an April 30th letter to Public Safety Minister Kris Austin, Chief Del Riley highlighted these infringements and requested an immediate cessation of raids on Mi’kmaq establishments such
Ll as the Gitpu Trading Post, along with a call for a meeting between the Minister, the Micmac Rights Association, and representatives from Gitpu Trading Post.
According to Chief Riley, “The Canadian government, the Province of New Brunswick and the City of Saint John have all indicated their commitments to “truth and reconciliation” with Indigenous peoples and their intentions to overcome the “dark days” of Canadian colonialism. That is going to require the recognition of the right of Mi’kmaq people to use their unceded and unsurrendered lands for trade and economic development in accordance with the treaties and Canadian law which now includes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.”
Giptu Trading post spokesperson Cody Caplin, who recently won an Aboriginal and treaty rights case, stated “The Higgs government is trampling on constitutionally protected Indigenous Rights. His government refuses to negotiate with First Nations on any issues, he harasses our businesses and raids our treaty truck houses, and ignores our forestry rights. It’s time for him and his government to go.”
Visit www.micmacrights.com or call Giptu Trading post spokesperson Cody Caplin at 506-686-2119 for more information.
Sgt. Steven Hillier is a “Public Safety” Officer who has violated constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights by leading raids on Mi’kmaw Truckhouses which are authorized and protected by the Covenant Chain treaties with the Crown. His actions are in violation of his oath to uphold the Canadian Constitution, including Sections 25 and 35. As Governor Belcher promised the Mi’kmaw in 1761: “The laws will be like a great hedge about your rights and properties. If any break this hedge to hurt or injure you, the heavy weight of the laws will fall upon them and punish their disobedience.”
