Paqtnkek fishers call for unity in Mi’kmaw nation to address elver fishing

The eel holds a special significance in Mi’kmaw culture, serving as both the first meal for babies transitioning from their mother’s milk and the final meal for elders making their journey to the spirit world. Kerry Prosper, an elder and councillor from Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, is deeply concerned about the future of the eels due to the surge in elver fishing.

While there has been increased Mi’kmaw involvement in the elver fishing industry, not all Mi’kmaw fishers support this practice. Prosper emphasizes the importance of considering the long-term consequences of harvesting eels, especially in light of the threats they face such as dams blocking spawning habitats, turbine-related deaths, habitat degradation, and parasites.

Prosper, who harvests eels for his family and community, highlights the eel as a reliable food source for the Mi’kmaw nation, particularly during times of food scarcity. The American Eel was deemed threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2012, but it has yet to receive protection under the Species At Risk Act.

Reflecting on his memories of spearing eels at Pomquet Harbour, Prosper stresses the importance of conservation and sustainable harvesting practices. He recalls granting Donald Marshall Jr. permission to fish in the area in 1993, which led to a legal battle over Indigenous fishing rights. The Supreme Court of Canada’s Sparrow decision in 1990 affirmed the Mi’kmaw’s constitutional right to fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.

Following this landmark decision, the federal government introduced fisheries initiatives for First Nations in the Atlantic provinces. While many Mi’kmaw communities participate in these federally managed fisheries, some continue to assert their treaty rights independently, particularly in lobster and elver fishing.

Prosper emphasizes the need for a unified approach among Mi’kmaw communities, especially when harvesting a threatened species like eel. He urges for a deep connection to netukulimk, the Mi’kmaw concept of respecting all life, and etuaptmumk, the ability to see from both perspectives.

Passing down his teachings on eel harvesting to his grandson, Kaeden Prosper, Kerry Prosper expresses concern over the decline in the eel population. Kaeden, who grew up fishing eels, laments the changes he has witnessed in the population over his lifetime. Despite understanding the economic pressures facing Mi’kmaw families, both Prosper generations hope to see a shared vision for the future that respects and manages treaty rights in harmony with nature.

As Mi’kmaw communities navigate the complexities of exercising their rights and preserving the eel population, the call for unity and conservation remains at the forefront of their efforts.