Feb 7th, 2025
MI’KMA’KI – On February 4-5 the RCMP raided multiple Mi’kmaw truck houses that were causing harm to no one and operating on unceded Mi’kmaw lands in accordance with constitutionally protected Mi’kmaw aboriginal and treaty rights.
The Micmac Rights Association denounces the unlawful actions of the RCMP in raiding treaty truckhouses, violating the Indian Act by removing property from reserve, invading Mi’kmaw homes on reserve, trashing personal belongings and Mi’kmaw artifacts and violently assaulting and harming Mi’kmaw people as part of a campaign of intimidation. The Micmac Rights Association is aware of the following disturbing incidents involving actions taken by the RCMP against Micmac Rights Association members.
In Annapolis Valley First Nation (Cambridge 32):
- The RCMP physically removed three treaty truckhouses on flat bed trucks. Indian property is protected by Section 89 of the Indian Act which reads: “Subject to this Act, the real and personal property of an Indian or a band situated on a reserve is not subject to charge, pledge, mortgage, attachment, levy, seizure, distress or execution in favour or at the instance of any person other than an Indian or a band.” The theft of Mi’kmaw truckhouses by the RCMP is thus a clear violation of Federal Law.
- In addition to raiding truckhouses, the RCMP also invaded the personal residences of Mi’kmaw shop owners, trashing their homes and traumatizing family members. In one home RCMP officers tore priceless Mi’kmaw basketwork apart and smashed precious soapstone carvings.
- RCMP officers raiding a home on reserve also kicked in the door to the bathroom where a 14 year old Mi’kmaw boy was relieving himself while on his phone. The officers charged into the bathroom and seized the boy’s phone right out of his hand while he was on the toilet.
- At another residence in AVFN the traumatized those that were present as they tramped through the house and upturned it. It was the birthday of an 8 year old Mi’kmaw boy who lived in the house. The RCMP broke into his room and stole his piggy bank which contained $375 in cash that he had received from family members for the last two years of his birthday gifts.
- The RCMP also seized quota cigarettes in the house which were the personal property of the band members and provided by the band.
In raids on two treaty truck houses in Gaspereau lake, the RCMP:
- Illegally removed a Mi’kmaw truck house from lands reserved for Indians as well as stealing its contents.
- After refusing to provide a warrant or to identify what charges were being laid, RCMP officers slammed a Mi’kmaw man down on the ground, put his arms behind his back, and jammed his face into the snow to the point that the Mi’kmaw man couldn’t breathe. As the Mi’kmaw man was shouting that he was being assaulted and that an officer was trying to kill him he was again held down in the snow and suffocated.
- As in other raids, the RCMP cut power to and disabled security cameras to hide the evidence of their criminal actions. They even went so far as to steal the internet modem providing service to the property.
The MRA is also aware of an attempted RCMP raid on an empty truckhouse in Kingston, and one in Bear River.
According to Micmac Rights executive member Thomas Durfee, “The RCMP is always avoiding the real problems, such as the hard drugs, addictions, and mental health issues our people face. Instead, they violate their own laws and spend taxpayers money to suppress us Indigenous peoples. All that money and revenue could have been used to help create positive changes within our communities. Instead they are traumatizing and oppressing Mi’kmaw people. This needs to stop.”
The Micmac Rights Association will be filing a legal application in the courts to have the items unlawfully seized by the RCMP returned to the people they stole from. The MRA is also calling upon the RCMP to identify the officers responsible for these despicable acts so that they may be disciplined and removed from their jobs for violating Mi’kmaw rights. The MRA is also fundraising to provide legal support for those charged and to replace the phone and funds in the children’s piggy bank that were seized. Donations may be sent to the MRA via e-transfer at micmacrights@gmail.com.
The Micmac Rights Association will be hosting an organizing meeting at 6pm on Tuesday February 11th, 2025 at the Old Orchard Inn, at 153 Greenwich Rd S, Wolfville Ridge
to strategize an appropriate response to these racist raids. All are welcome to attend.
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