Many from across Nova Scotia stood in solidarity with the Mi’kmaq in Halifax to protest after hundreds of cuts were tabled in the spring budget.
When Acadia News arrived Tuesday afternoon, Police cars were blocking traffic around parts of Granville Street where crowds had gathered. People were holding signs and chanting alongside Indigenous land protector and speaker Michelle Paul.
“I feel the sense of uncertainty. All these thousands of jobs that are being cut. When we first designed and created this rally, it was at first for the Crown Lands Act and the attack on the environment. But this last week has been a doozy,” says Paul. “Since then, there’s been more cuts to our arts and culture, the very root of who we are as Nova Scotian’s.”
Shoulder to Shoulder: We Are All Treaty People rally in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
This is the second Shoulder to Shoulder rally that Paul has helped organize. The outrage was sparked by rippling negative feelings throughout the province since last weeks provincial budget was addressed. She says the Mi’kmaq community wants people to know that collective action can spark real change.
An example Paul used was their rally against Alton Gas, a company widely known in the province for their plan to develop an area around the Shubenacadie River that’s sacred to the Mi’kmaq. She reminds people that the proposal fell through because Nova Scotian’s, Indigenous or not, stood together in solidarity like they are.
“I don’t know if you guys remember about Alton Gas, but look that up too, because that was an eight-year long solidarity action that was successful!” Paul yells as the crowd cheers. “And the reason why it was successful is because we stood shoulder to shoulder in unity!”
Shoulder to Shoulder: We Are All Treaty People rally in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Paul tells people to throw away their fear and to “let this moment be a sign of hope”, reaffirming their commitment to ongoing advocacy and public awareness across Mi’kma’ki.
Premier Tim Houston was in Toronto Tuesday, for an announcement alongside federal Minister Tim Hodgson. Protester’s plan to be back at Province House Wednesday at noon and various other locations around Nova Scotia for their next rally: Arts, Heritage, and Culture Under Threat.
