UPDATE - Government of Canada and Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government conclude agreement on fishery

LISTUGUJ, QC, Nov. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples towards a renewed nation-to-nation relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

Today, Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia, joined Darcy Gray, Chief of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government, for the signing of the Listuguj First Nation-Canada Fish Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement outlines Listuguj's fish interests, positions parties to explore innovative fish arrangements, and reaffirms the parties' commitment to advance Listuguj's fishing rights. The Agreement will also help establish a process to help strengthen a nation-to-nation relationship between the Government of Canada and Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government.

The Agreement represents an important act of reconciliation, based on mutual respect and recognition of the rights and interests of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government and all Canadians.

Quotes

"Today, we have taken an important step to renew and strengthen our relationship with the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government. This important milestone demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to find shared solutions that address their rights and interests and to advance reconciliation for the benefit of community members and all Canadians."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"It is an honour to stand with the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government and celebrate this milestone which recognizes the interests and rights of the Listuguj Mi'gmag, and to continue the work in advancing reconciliation."

Marc Miller
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard (we) are determined to work towards a renewed, strengthened relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Atlantic Canada and the Gaspé region of Quebec on fisheries-related matters. This Agreement with the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government recognizes that coastal Indigenous communities share ties to the oceans that span thousands of years and their partnership is key to ensuring meaningful protection and management of fisheries and oceans."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"The Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government (LMG) recognizes that fishing is our inherent right that stems from our traditional way of life. Mi'gmaq law recognizes this inherent right. As an elected government we will continue to exercise our jurisdiction over and responsibility for our fisheries as a community. Usgaqa'nminew aq ango'tesnug – our fisheries belong to us, and we will take care of it. Through this agreement, we hope that Canada can be a partner in our efforts and look forward to the work ahead."

Chief Darcy Gray
Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government

Quick Facts

• Listuguj consists of approximately 4,100 registered members. The community is located on the north shore of the Restigouche River in Québec, north of the interprovincial bridge linking Québec and New Brunswick.
• The Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government is one of three Mi'gmaq communities of Québec, all of which have a treaty right to hunt, fish, and gather for a "moderate livelihood," as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada's 1999 Marshall Decision.
• Listuguj's fish interests include: enhancing their fisheries resource capacity, strengthening their fish governance institutions, developing cooperative fisheries management regimes, and improving the economic and ecological sustainability of their fisheries.

Associated Links

Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government 
Exploring New Ways of Working Together

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

media may contact: Matthew Dillon-Leitch, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected]; Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, [email protected]‎; Mike Isaac, Communications Manager, 418-788-2136, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/