Bear Buds in Eskasoni First Nation, Mi’kmaw territory was raided by the RCMP detachment in Eskasoni on Thursday, Jan 18, 2023 at around noon. Several armed RCMP officers came in two vehicles to the store and attempted to force their way in as employees barred their entry.
An officer claiming to be a “provincial inspector,” insisted that he be allowed into the shop. He was told by Albert Marshall, the store’s owner that he was not allowed to enter the shop. Marshall stated that there was “no imminent danger to anyone,” and that as a provincial officer, he had no right to enter the premises on Federal lands reserved for Indians.
Marshall said he told the officer that he was “no different than a Provincial health inspector who can’t inspect any of the restaurants on reserve.” According to Marshall, the officer said that if we wasn’t let in, he would force his way in and would lay further charges if his entry was obstructed.
Marshall said the officer said he was “not here to take anything, just looking to see if there’s “contraband” cannabis on the property.”
Marshall let the officer into his store, and showed him the constitutional certificate that Chief Del Riley, former National Chief who participated in negotiating Sections 25 and 35 on behalf of the National Indian Brotherhood, and Chris Googoo of the Micmac Rights Association had provided the store.