Nova Scotia Premier Criticizes First Nation Highway Blockades

Protests happened after police raided a cannabis store.

The Nova Scotia government and First Nations leaders are arguing about who has control over Indigenous communities.

Premier Tim Houston said blocking highways is not acceptable after protesters set up blockades.

Houston said blocking roads is not peaceful and is against the law. It also makes people late for important things like work and medical appointments.

Our roads are very important. People use them to go to work, hospitals, and to take care of their families. Blocking them can cause problems.

Houston made these comments after leaders of Potlotek First Nation disagreed with the police's description of the protests.

Potlotek leaders said the blockade was a show of unity, but they did not give a legal reason for it.

Police arrested two men and took some products from the cannabis store on Thursday.

After the raid, protesters blocked the highway with big machines, and police left their cars and walked away.

Some police cars were damaged when they were retrieved the next morning.

There were also blockades on other highways, like Highway 102 and Highway 105.

Potlotek leaders said they do not support vandalism and asked people to tell the authorities if they know anything about the damaged cars.

Houston said police officers should be respected, not confronted.

He wrote that the way police were treated was not acceptable. They are just doing their job to keep people safe.

Some people are encouraging others to confront the police, which can create dangerous situations.

Potlotek leaders sent a message to Houston saying that enforcing laws without respecting Mi'kmaw jurisdiction can create conflict.

This can increase tension and put public safety at risk.

Houston said there is no treaty right to sell cannabis without regulation.

He said the unregulated market is dangerous because of packaging that looks like candy and high THC levels.

The premier asked First Nations leaders to work with the province to create safe and regulated dispensaries.

But for many Mi'kmaw leaders, the issue is not just about unlicensed shops.

They feel that the provincial laws and enforcement actions are imposed on their communities without respect for their rights.

This is part of a bigger pattern of ignoring Mi'kmaw rights.

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