2021 Nova Scotia Lobster Dispute

DETAINED

Not sure what was meant by that, I asked. I was quickly informed Chief Mike Sack was stopped in his truck and detained. Knowing the RCMP building was down the street and the DFO office was a very short distance away, I proceeded down to the RCMP office which is across the street from the fire department. While driving to the RCMP detachment, I noticed no unusual activity in the parking lot of the DFO office.

The RCMP detachment didn’t have much activity but across the street at the temporary RCMP command post at the Fire Department, there was some RCMP activity.

I waited a bit, I didn’t really see anything of substance. Across the street at the actual RCMP office, members of the Sipekne’katik First Nations were parked in the parking lot. I pulled across the street and spoke with them. They determined he must have been taken to DFO.

A thirty-second drive, I noticed there was a change at the DFO office entrances. They were both blocked by trucks. These trucks weren’t blocking the entrance when I drove by merely minutes ago.

Released

Immediately I recognized Maureen and Stephen from Ku’ku’kwes News who were also setup on the side of the road. We were quickly asked to stay in front of the trucks on the grassed area. With the street right there, it was safer than being on the road. Shortly after Hall of Famer (Atlantic Journalism Awards) Andrew Vaughan from The Canadian Press also showed up. It was a waiting game.

I setup two cameras to look at both front and side doors.

We watched as a lawyer and member of the First Nations band was allowed inside the DFO building. Eventually, she returned back out the same doors and a short time later the Chief did as well.

Chief Mike Sack came over to do some interviews with us after spending some time outside. He spoke about how he was detained and questioned.

After Chief Mike Sack answered all the questions, everyone returned to the Saulnierville wharf where he was again interviewed by other outlets who were not at the DFO building. This pretty much wrapped up my day.

Later on during the day, I spoke again with the media relations officer for DFO. She assured me, DFO should not be arresting or charging any media on the water. I asked for a letter stating this and it was provided however since this was only a 1-day assignment for me, it was too late.

You can see some of these photographs in numerous media outlets around the world including The Globe and Mail.