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This section is dedicated to any press or news items related to the Mi'kmaq community.

Please be forewarned that some of the links go to Real Audio files, either audio or video. You will need the free Real Player to access them. If you do not already have it installed on your computer, you can download it here for free.

News Reports from 2003

Solving the murder of Anna Marie Aquash (CBC Interview, April 9, 2003, Real Audio file)
Almost thirty years after the Mi'k Maq actitivist was murdered, her cousin's investigation has led to indictments.

N.S. Family Relieved Over Arrest in Wounded Knee Murder (CBC article, April 4, 2004)
Relatives of a Canadian woman murdered in the United States almost 30 years ago said they're pleased a suspect has been charged with the crime. Arlo Looking Cloud, 49, appeared in a Colorado court Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder. He is accused of killing Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash, 30, a Nova Scotia activist with the American Indian Movement (AIM).

Maritime Aboriginal Soldiers Fighting in Iraq (CBC article, March 25, 2003)
At least eight Mi'kmaq and Maliseet men from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are fighting in Iraq with the U.S. Marines. Three of the men from the tightly-knit community of Indian Brook, N.S., joined up about five years ago when the marines launched a recruiting drive in the area.

First Nations Financing (CBC Interview, March 11, 2003, Real Audio file)
A woman who has spoken out against the misanagement of funds reacts to recent news about one chief's large salary.

News Reports from 2002

Something Fishy in Truro (CBC Interview, December 11, 2002, Real Audio file)
Bob Murphy tours Millbrook First Nation's state-of-the art aquaculture facility.

A First Nations Power Center (CBC Interview, December 10, 2002, Real Audio file)
Bob Murphy talks with Chief Lawrence Paul about the Mi'kmaq development in Truro.

Eskasoni is Open for Business with Govt of Canada Assistance (News Release, November 1, 2002)
To help nurture the creation of an entrepreneurial culture, in particular among the youth of the largest First Nations community in Atlantic Canada, an “Open for Business” site will be established in Eskasoni. The project will emphasize the opportunities available to Mi’kmaq youth of Cape Breton in the areas of entrepreneurship and business.

Treaty Day, But Not All is Well (CBC article, Oct 1 2002, also has Real Audio file)
Tuesday was Treaty Day in Nova Scotia, commemorating the Treaty of 1752 between the British Crown and the Mi'kmaq people. And even though some things have improved for the Mi'kmaq in recent years, many say the treaty remains unfulfilled.

Nova Scotia to Refund $16 million to Mi'kmaq Community (Eskasoni) (CBC, 19 Aug, 2002)

Burnt Church, Ottawa Reach Fishing Deal (CBC article, August 2, 2002)
The federal government reached an agreement in principle Thursday with a New Brunswick band council over a native lobster fishery. The two-year deal, estimated to be worth about $20 million, was approved by Burnt Church First Nation leaders.

• CBC Newsworld's Helen Mann talks with David Paul, who was at the negotiating table for the Burnt Church First Nation. (Real Audio file)
• CBC Newsworld - Christopher Thomas talks with Bob Allain of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. (Real Audio file)

Burnt Church, DFO, close to fishery agreement (CBC article, July 31, 2002)
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is close to finalizing a deal with the Burnt Church band council that could mean a peaceful end to continuing fishing disputes.

Native bands launch Mi'kmaq Confederacy (CBC article, June 19, 2002)
PEI's two Mi'kmaq bands will now speak with a single voice on matters involving land claims and treaty rights as the Lennox Island band and the Abegweit band launched the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island.

High Hopes for M'ikmaq Centre (CBC article, June 13, 2002)
The town of Bouctouche NB, is dreaming of a new cultural centre celebrating Mi'kmaq art, language and history. The project is large in scope and ambition but short on cash. It's hoped a M'ikmaq cultural centre would draw in tourists and create jobs. Garry , Chief of the Boutouche Mi'kmaq Community, has been dreaming of that.

Band Council told to Resign amid Voting Scandal (CBC article, May 11, 2002)
After an investigation into vote-buying and other corruption, the band council and chief in Burnt Church, N.B., have been told to resign so that a new election can be held. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs declared the August 2001 election invalid and ordered the Mi'kmaq band to hold a new election for chief and council within 30 days.

Nfld. Mi'kmaq man fights band over fishing licence (CBC article, April 21, 2002)
A Newfoundland man cast some lobster traps in the ocean Saturday, and drifted a little closer to what he predicts will be a showdown over native fishing rights. Darrin McDonald, a Mi'kmaq, insists he has the right to catch fish on his own, and doesn't need permission from his band.

Burnt Church's problems run deep: report (CBC article, April 16, 2002)
The problems on the Burnt Church reserve run deeper than lobster traps on the floor of Miramichi Bay, a report released on Monday says. The report was issued by the Miramichi Bay Community Relations Panel, set up earlier this year to look at the violence that has broken out between the native and non-native communities there.

• CBC Newsworld's Christopher Thomas speaks with John G. Paul, executive director of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs (Real Audio file)
• CBC Newsworld's David Gray speaks with Robert Thibault, minister of fisheries and oceans, about recommendations to deal with social and economic problems in Burnt Church (Real Audio file)

Panel Aims for Peace in Burnt Church Dispute (CBC article, April 8, 2002)

News Reports - from 2001

RCMP Check for Lobster Sabotage in Miramichi (CBC article, Aug. 27, 2001)

Eyes on Water, Clock in Burnt Church, N.B. (CBC article, Aug. 26, 2001)

Ottawa Makes New Offer in Burnt Church Dispute (CBC article, Aug. 24, 2001)

Ottawa Moves to Defuse Burnt Church Tension (CBC article, Aug. 20, 2001)

First Nations Advised Not To Sign New Fishing Agreements with Ottawa (CBC article, April 2, 2001)

News Reports - from 2000

Lobster Deal Reached (CBC article, Oct. 25, 2000)

CBC TV's Darrow MacIntyre with a profile of James Ward, a well-known activist in the Burnt Church community. He quickly assumed a leadership role when the fishing dispute began. (CBC TV clip, Aug. 25, 2000, Real Audio file)

The Magazine talks to two legal experts about the confusion over the Marshall decision (CBC radio interview, Aug. 22, 2000, Real Audio file)

Burnt Church natives say they won't back down (CBC article, Aug. 14, 2000)

Native blockade follows DFO raid on lobster traps (CBC article, Aug. 14, 2000)

N.B. natives and DFO face off over lobster (CBC article, Aug. 12, 2000)

Burnt Church Mi'kmaq reject Ottawa's offer (CBC article, Aug. 10, 2000)

Fishery dispute likely to continue all summer (CBC article, Aug. 9, 2000)

DFO keeping watch over lobster opening (CBC article, July 4, 2000)

Dhaliwal cancels Burnt Church meeting (CBC article, June 7, 2000)

Ottawa cracks down on native fishing in N.B. (CBC article, June 1, 2000)

Aboriginals test the waters in dispute over lobster (CBC article, May 9, 2000)

Treaty rights not for sale, Dhaliwal told (CBC article, March 26, 2000)

Fishermen's union waiting for government plan (CBC article, February 25, 2000)

Native fishers will harvest in April regardless of Ottawa (CBC article, February 16, 2000)

More trouble between DFO and natives (CBC article, February 14, 2000)

Dhaliwal promises interim fishing deal before new season (CBC article, February 14, 2000)

Fisheries minister hopes to ink deal by spring (CBC article, February 11, 2000)

Mi'kmaq angry over Federal approach to negotiations (CBC article, February 3, 2000)

News Reports - from 1999

Fisheries Committee Studies Marshall Decision (CBC article, Nov. 25, 1999)

Mixed Reaction to Top Court's 'clarification' (CBC article, Nov. 18, 1999)

First Nations React to Marshall Clarification (CBC article, Nov. 18, 1999)

Supreme Court won't re-hear Marshall Case (CBC article, Nov. 17, 1999)

Court Limits Marshall Decision (CBC article, Nov. 17, 1999)

Fishermen ask Supreme Court to Reconsider Ruling on Native Rights (CBC article, Oct. 19, 1999)

Violence Feared as First Nations Cancel Fishing Ban (CBC article, Oct. 14, 1999)

Dhaliwal sets limits for fishing by two bands (CBC article, Oct. 11, 1999)

Native fishers in Burnt Church vow to defy moratorium (CBC article, Oct. 8, 1999)

First Nations People Want Ottawa to Leave Fisheries Ruling Alone (CBC article, Oct. 5, 1999)

Ottawa Says Mi'kmaq Can Keep Fishing (CBC article, Oct. 1, 1999)

Nova Scotia Worried About Reaction to Mi'kmaq Ruling (CBC article, Sept. 18, 1999)

Top Court Upholds Native Treaty (CBC article, Sept. 18, 1999)

News Reports - no date specified

Dirt Bikes vs History (Canada Now, TV clip report, Real Audio file)
Archaeologists and the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq are taking steps to protect a little-known national historic site. Today, it's simply a sandy field near Debert which has been popular with dirt bike riders. But, thousands of years ago, it was an aboriginal settlement. Now, the motorbikes are being banished and the site preserved.