RCMP conducted inspections at five cannabis storefronts in Nova Scotia on Tuesday, seizing products and issuing tickets.

Officers carried out the activity at businesses located in Eskasoni First Nation, Potlotek First Nation, Paqtnkek First Nation, Waycobah First Nation and Digby, police said in a news release.

The RCMP release says officers had the authority under the Cannabis Control Act to do the inspections, and that their investigation continues.

But some Mi’kmaw leaders say the authority to sell cannabis at dispensaries in their communities is protected by treaty rights.

Millbrook First Nation Coun. Chris Googoo said in a Facebook video he was patrolling his community on Wednesday to keep an eye on things as the raids unfolded elsewhere.

“I’ve got to stick around here to be certain that the RCMP don’t try any of their violations on our constitutionally protected rights. It’s unfortunate that these government bodies refuse to recognize and affirm our rights,” Googoo said.

He said Mi’kmaw people must continue asserting their rights and exercising their sovereignty.

“You’re born with these inherent rights and nobody can take that away from you,” he said. “We’re rising up as Mi’kmaw people and we’re putting these fights to the forefront of our stance on our economic sovereignty and protecting our people and our rights.”

Checkpoints in Sipekne’katik

As the raids were taking place, Sipekne’katik First Nation set up checkpoints at the community’s entrances and exits.

Chief Michelle Glasgow said in a Facebook post that at the time she posted, there were three raids taking place, but she was hearing there would be more.

“For those who want to do us harm, who want to do us harm by force in our community, you’re not welcome here,” she said.

“We as Mi’kmaq have jurisdiction over these lands,” she said. “I’m tired of this government trying to push us around and tell us what we can do and we can’t do. You’re not telling us, we’re telling you.”

‘Economic genocide’

Tuma Wilson, a lawyer with the Micmac Rights Association, called the raids part of a larger “economic genocide” being perpetrated against the Mi’kmaw people by the provincial government.

“Our own economic resources, our own self-grown economies are more important than ever,” Wilson told the CBC’s Information Morning Nova Scotia. “And of course the Houston government wants to undercut those to lock Mi’kmaq into the lowest socio-economic rung on the socio-economic ladder that they can.”

Wilson said cannabis store raids have not just caused a monetary toll on store owners because of the tickets they’ve been issued, but also an emotional toll.

“I’m thinking also about the emotional toll of having a police breaking into your house, breaking into your place of business, intimidating you and your customers,” he said.

Increasing tension

The cannabis store raids took place just a week after Justice Minister Scott Armstrong tabled legislation that would strengthen enforcement of the province’s cannabis rules, increasing violation fines and permitting enforcement by peace officers and conservation officers as well as police.

In December, the provincial government issued a directive that police prioritize efforts to stop illegal cannabis sales. Premier Tim Houston said later that he’d heard from law enforcement in the province that fentanyl had been found in cannabis sold in unauthorized stores.

RCMP, however, said they were not aware of any such findings.

The dispute has prompted the Sipekne’katik First Nation to ban the premier, justice minister and minister of L’nu affairs from band lands.

The cannabis store raids took place the same day as a large group of First Nations protesters gathered in front of Province House for the Shoulder to Shoulder protest opposing budget cuts to services, grants, cultural organizations and programs.

MORE TOP STORIES