Aquaculture in Nova Scotia was first practiced by the Mi’kmaq First Nation communities, who transferred fish from one stream or pond to another to promote larger populations. This industry developed from a local food source into a profitable and dependable source of revenue. Today, many Nova Scotian First Nations communities have well-established aquaculture operations for both finfish and shellfish species. Through various research and development projects, community engagement meetings, and business development initiatives, the AANS has continued to build upon a strong relationship with Nova Scotia’s First Nations Communities.
We acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725.
The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but in fact, recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
We further acknowledge that people of African descent have shared these lands for over 400 years in Nova Scotia; over 50 strong and resourceful African Nova Scotian communities exist today.
