1921- Letter from Chief Matthew Francis to Department of Indian Affairs
RightsHuntingFishingResourcesAgencyCaribou Island
Letter from Chief Matthew Francis of Pictou Landing, asking for clarification on Mi'kmaq hunting and fishing rights. Three Mi'kmaq hunters from Pictou Landing had recently been arrested for hunting wild fowl on Caribou Island, and Chief Francis asked for clarification as he believed these hunters were acting within their rights. Chief Francis asked for written copies of the rules to help prove these rights to local wardens and officials.
1921-05-30 1921-05-30
Chief Matthew Francis Secretary of Indian Affairs
Letter
To Sec’y of Indian Affairs Ottawa Sir, I am writing regarding Indians and game wardens in our county. Last week on the 26th day of May, three of our Indian men went to Caribou Island to shoot water fowl – they were not doing it for pleasure nor for market but it was a case of something to eat for themselves and families. The game warden of Pictou NS stopped them from shooting and we are having a terrible hard time of making our living. One hears a lot about our white neighbors almost in starvation at New Glasgow and Pictou and Trenton, and being supported by the towns and no mention is made of us Indians – we are poor and when one goes to our Indian Agent for help for food we don’t get it. Is there anything you can do for us so in case if anyone goes to shoot wild fowl or hunts they wouldn’t get prosecuted by the game warden? In the Treaty written Sept. 15, 1752 Indians were given that privilege of getting their livelihood that way at all seasons [pg.2] of the year – of course we do not do it everyday neither do we intend to only in case of necessity and if game laws re Indians have been changed since, we have not been notified as yet – when Mr. Bleury was here last year he said that nothing would prevent us from getting out living that way if it was necessary. If that is so, I wish you would send me a paper so could present it in court in case anyone should be called up for that offense. Hoping for an early reply, I remain, dear sir, Chief Matthew Francis Pictou Landing Pictou County Nova Scotia May 30th, 1921
Chief Matthew Francis, to Secretary of Indian Affairs, May 30th 1921, LAC, RG10, Reel C-8101, Vol. 6743, File 420-7.
