b'FISHERIESLiving theNUU-CHAH-NULTH PRINCIPLE of Helping Each Other in Times of NeedT he COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted foodCanada has ruled that the First Nations right to food, social production and supply chains, shutting down viableand ceremonial fisheries must be prioritized over recreational markets and creating uncertainty in food pricing.and commercial fisheries and can only be limited for the purpose On top of this, Canada has seen a rash of outbreaksof conservation. And yet, many First Nations continue to over the past few months in meat-processing plants, as well asexperience restrictions on access and harvesting. In recent fruit and vegetable farms. Concerned about the health, safetyyears, the food security of First Nations has been increasingly and food security of their communities, First Nations leadersthreatened by low fish stocks as a result of mismanagement, actively encouraged community members to reconnect with theirclimate change and natural disasters. For example, many First traditional ways and partake in fishing and hunting activities forNations in interior B.C. were not able to fish last season due to a subsistence and food security. During this extraordinary time,landslide (Big Bar) that blocked fish passage. First Nations are revitalizing their food systems, as well as theIn the face of food security issues, First Nations across the languages and laws that are intrinsic to these activities. country are helping each other to counter the impacts of the pandemic. Communities of the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories and the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin and Sapotaweyak Cree Nations in Manitoba are sharing their bounty from hunting and fishing with their Elders and the immunocompromised. In August 2020, Fisher River Cree Nation received $11 million from the Surplus Food Rescue Program, a federal government initiative to purchase up to 2.9 million pounds of surplus pickerel (a freshwater fish) product caught from inland lakes. The fish will be distributed to more than 75 Indigenous communities throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the North.For First Nations located on and in surrounding areas of the Pacific coast, the ocean provides food and medicines such as Photo credit: Roy Alexandersalmon, halibut, tuna, crab, clams and seaweed. When the Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C. was dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, a generous gesture from the neighbouring Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation made a huge impact in the remote community. A total of 30 people had tested positive for the virus, including a 59-year-old woman from the community on Namgis members processing rockfish (snapper) at community dock Cormorant Island, who passed away in late April 2020. With major disruptions to large-scale food production and supplyKnowing the community was in distress, three members of the chains, the pandemic has reminded us of the critical importanceTla-o-qui-aht First Nation delivered an estimated two tonnes of of Indigenous and local food systems. The Supreme Court ofceremonial groundfish to the community. The Namgis showed their immense gratitude by sending a group of members to greet the fishing boat at the dock with a welcoming song and dance. The fresh catch was distributed to 277 households, just in time for many to enjoy a meal of fish and chips on MothersW A T E R Day weekend.Two of the fishers that made the delivery were brothers Gary and James Martin, sons of Moses Martin, elected Chief of Tla-F I R S T o-qui-aht First Nation. Following protocols, Chief Moses Martin sought permission from Chief Don Svanvik to enter Namgis traditional territory during the local state of emergency. Tla-S T R O N GC O M M U N I T I E S .o-qui-aht covered nearly $800 in associated expenses, largely in S A F E ,C L E A NWAT E R . fuel costs for the long journey from the west to the east coast of Vancouver Island. In recounting this kind deed, Chief Martin references the Nuu-chah-nulth principle of helping each other in www.waterfirst.ngo times of need. My boys just happened to be fishing at the time, 58 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'