A young Mi’kmaw man from Nova Scotia is vowing to fight fishery charges against him like his father did 20 years ago.
Leon Knockwood, who is from Sipekne’katik First Nation, N.S. has been charged with two counts of failing to comply with a commercial fishing licence, fish for lobster without authorization and unlawful possession of fish. According to court documents, the alleged offences happened near Weymouth, N.S. on Nov. 26, 2018.
Knockwood, 24, says he plans to use his treaty right to fish to earn a moderate livelihood to defend himself in court.
I know my rights as a Mi’kmaw, Knockwood said. I know I’m allowed to do this, he added.
The charges against Knockwood are the same charges his father, Leon Robinson, faced 20 years earlier. Robinson was charged with fishery offences in the fall of 1999 shortly after the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Marshall fishing rights case.
Robinson 44, says he is upset that after 20 years, the issue of his treaty right to fish to earn a moderate livelihood is still unresolved.
Ku’ku’kwes News 2019