We ask that holders of the Wula Na Kinu Harvester Identification Cards please follow and take into consideration some essential rules and guidelines:
Stewardship and Sustainability
The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia have long held traditions of conservation and stewardship. All harvesting by the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia should be conducted following the Mi’kmaw philosophies of Netukulimk and Msit No’kmaq.
- Netukulimk – the Mi’kmaq use of the Creator’s natural bounty for self-support and well-being and the interplay of collective and individual responsibilities that the Mi’kmaq have to the natural world.
- Msit No’kmaq – directly translated to “all my relations”. It is the core Mi’kmaq philosophy of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Species at Risk
For harvesting in Nova Scotia, all species at risk laws apply. There is no harvest allowed for any of the listed species, either provincially or federally. While a full list can be found online at:
https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp
Some examples are moose in mainland Nova Scotia, spruce grouse in the Cape Breton Highlands, lynx, and pine marten cannot be harvested.
Seasons for Harvesting
While the Mi’kmaq have cultural teachings of when resources should, and should not be harvested, there are no ‘seasons’ for Mi’kmaq harvesting. In 2009, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, supported by the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, developed the Tia’muwe’l Netuklimkewe’l/Unama’ki Moose Harvesting Guidelines According to Netukulimk which includes specific dates for when moose can be harvested. The Moose Harvesting Guidelines can be found here:
https://mikmaqrights.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MooseGuidelines.pdf
For deer, bear and small game – including non-migratory birds such as pheasant and rough grouse (partridge) – there is no season or bag limits. Migratory Birds are covered by the international Migratory Bird Convention so harvesters would have to access and follow federal rules around harvests of migratory ducks and geese.
Harvesting is also recognized for access to domestic fuel wood. Mi’kmaq can go to a local Department of Natural Resources office and request an area to harvest up to 10 cord of fuel wood per person per year.
Jurisdiction
The Harvester Identification Card is for access to resources under Provincial jurisdiction. While the card is recognized by the Mi’kmaq and by the province. Canada has not provided any recognition to date. If a person is fishing for food in inland waters – ie: trout, smallmouth bass – there should be no problem. Species such as salmon, striped bass, eels and other migratory fish would need clarification from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Fishing for lobster, etc., whether for food or livelihood, must be conducted according to DFO, under licence, unless under a community established harvesting plan. The Harvester Identification Card would not protect a fisher from charges by DFO for any such activity for those species.