IN DEFENSE will be followed by a screening ofKIVIAQ VERSUS CANADA and is part of an evening of cinema from ISUMA TV, who will have speakers present.
In Defense of our Treaties, follows the struggle of Bear River First Nation as they stand up to pressure from the Department of Fisheries (DFO) to sell their treaty rights for a ticket into the commercial fisheries. For the Mi’kmaq, fishing is a right that comes from the Creator, and is protected by the Treaties. In 1999, the Supreme Court recognized those rights, and DFO has signed agreements with 32 of the 34 First Nations in the region. The deals offer money to buy into the commercial fisheries, as long as the Mi’kmaq fish under DFO’s jurisdiction. That's not good enough for Bear River, one of two communities refusing to sign.
Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor: Martha Stiegman
Co-Producer: Sherry Pictou, Bear River First Nation
Editing Consultants: Frédéric Moffet, Liz Miller, Gwynne Basen
Audio Mix & Color Correction: Anthu Vu
Additional Sound Editing: Andrea-Jane Cornell
Story Consultants: Wanda Joudry-Finigan, Bubby Harlowe, Robie McEwan, Chief Frank Meuse Jr., Dusty Meuse, and Sherry Pictou.
Title Design: Mél Hogan
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