The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) intends to construct a new Band Office Building to include various LMG directorates and the Chief and Council chambers. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain proposals in compliance with The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) tender policy from interested consultant firms to carry out the detailed design, cost estimate, contract documents and tender administration/supervision fees for the Band Office B Project in located Listuguj, Quebec.
Deadline for proposal submissions is October 19, 2023 – 10:00 AM Atlantic time. LMG is accepting both digital and paper submissions. Submissions must be sent to the following emails prior to the closing date of the tender:
RFP ADDENDUM No. 1:
To extend the original closing date of the Request for Proposal by two weeks; all submissions should be received before 10:00 AM Atlantic Time/9:00 AM Eastern Time on November 2, 2023.
RFP ADDENDUM No. 2:
To extend the original closing date of the Request for Proposal by one week; all submissions should be received before 10:00 AM Atlantic Time/9:00 AM Eastern Time on November 9, 2023
What is the budget for this project? Project budget to be determined by the consultant based on the space requirement provided in the Request for Proposal (RFP.)
Chief Executive Officer – Bassem Abdrabou
E-mail: bassem.abdrabou@listuguj.ca
Assistant Director – Jessica Hottot
Email: jessica.hottot@listuguj.ca
Project Coordinator – Jarvis White
E-mail: jarvis.white@listuguj.ca
PRESS RELEASE
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Expands Fall Lobster Fishery
Fall fishery now includes waters adjacent to the community that Canada previously considered unregulated
-French version to follow-
LISTUGUJ, QC , Sept. 28, 2023 /CNW/ – Every fall, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation (Listuguj) exercises its Peace and Friendship Treaties rights by fishing lobster. This fall, the fishery is growing. For the past 20 years, Listuguj has fished Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 21B, in the Baie des Chaleurs. Starting on September 30, Listuguj will also begin fishing further west, in waters adjacent to the community that, until now, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) considered unregulated.
“Reconciliation requires increasing First Nations’ access to resources,” said Scott Martin, Chief of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government. “This new community fishery is a step in the right direction. It means approximately a dozen more families will have a chance to get out on the water, exercise their rights, and support themselves.”
For generations, Canada denied Listuguj’s treaty rights. In 2021, Listuguj and Canada signed a rights reconciliation agreement that requires the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to respect Listuguj’s treaty rights and acknowledge Listuguj’s Indigenous laws in fisheries.
Listuguj governs its lobster fishery with its own law—the Listuguj Lobster Law. The fishery is monitored by the community’s own enforcement agency—the Mi’gmaq Rangers. Fisheries governance and enforcement are coordinated with the DFO through the process established by the rights reconciliation agreement.
This year, the Listuguj’s fall lobster fishery is expanding. In addition to Listuguj’s usual two-week fishery in LFA 21B, a small-scale community fishery will take place in the waters west of LFA 21B, north of the Quebec–New Brunswick border, and east of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at the mouth of the Restigouche River. Designated community members will fish using up to five traps in small boats registered as pleasure craft. In keeping with their treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood, community members will be able to decide for themselves how to use their catch—whether for food, social, ceremonial, or commercial purposes.
To receive the new licence, Listuguj developed a conservation harvesting plan for the expanded fishery under the Listuguj Lobster Law. Then, in collaboration with the DFO, it was agreed that Canada would sanction the fishery with an experimental licence for the new area issued under the Fisheries Act. As well, Listuguj and the DFO reviewed their enforcement protocol to ensure coordination between the Mi’gmaq Rangers and the DFO’s fisheries officers.
“Conservation is paramount,” said Chief Martin. “And so is ensuring that First Nations get their fair share of the fishery. That means we need to find creative ways to increase access. Our fall fishery is a leading example of how that can be done.”
The lobster population in the Gaspé region is healthy, with record landings being reported.
Listuguj’s new fall lobster fishery will run from September 30 to October 14, 2023.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Victoria Belton
Senior Consultant
416-997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Communications Manager
418-788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
La Première Nation Mi’gmaq de Listuguj agrandit son territoire pour la pêche au homard automnale
Le territoire de pêche automnale comprend maintenant les eaux adjacentes à la communauté, que le Canada considérait auparavant comme non réglementées.
Listuguj, Québec, 28 septembre 2023 – Chaque automne, la Première Nation Mi’gmaq de Listuguj (« Listuguj ») exerce son droit de pêcher en vertu de traités de paix et d’amitié. Cet automne, la zone de pêche s’agrandit. Depuis 20 ans, Listuguj pêche dans la zone de pêche du homard (ZPH) 21B, dans la Baie des Chaleurs. À compter du 30 septembre, Listuguj pourra également pêcher plus à l’ouest, dans les eaux adjacentes à la communauté qui, jusqu’à maintenant, n’étaient considerées comme pas réglementées par le ministère des Pêches et des Océans (MPO).
« La réconciliation exige un accès accru des Premières Nations aux ressources », a déclaré Scott Martin, Chef du Gouvernement Mi’gmaq de Listuguj. « Cette nouvelle possibilité de pêche communautaire est un pas dans la bonne direction. Cela signifie qu’environ une douzaine autres familles auront la chance de se rendre sur l’eau, d’exercer leurs droits et de subvenir à leurs besoins. »
Pendant des générations, le Canada a nié les droits issus de traités de Listuguj. En 2021, Listuguj et le Canada ont signé une entente de réconciliation des droits en vertu de laquelle le ministre des Pêches et des Océans doit respecter les droits issus de traités de Listuguj et reconnaitre les lois autochtones de cette Première Nation dans le domaine de la pêche.
Listuguj dispose de sa propre loi qui régit ses activités de pêche au homard, la Listuguj Lobster Law. La pêche est surveillée par l’organisme d’application de la loi de la communauté, les Rangers Mi’gmaq. La gouvernance des pêches et l’application de la loi sont coordonnées avec le MPO dans le cadre du processus établi par l’entente de réconciliation des droits.
Cette année, la pêche au homard automnale de Listuguj est en pleine expansion. En plus de la période de pêche habituelle de deux semaines de Listuguj dans la ZPH 21B, des activités de pêche communautaire à petite échelle auront lieu dans les eaux à l’ouest de la ZPH 21B, au nord de la frontière du Québec et du Nouveau-Brunswick, et à l’est du pont J.C. Van Horne à l’embouchure de la rivière Restigouche. Certains membres désignés de la communauté pêcheront en utilisant jusqu’à cinq casiers au moyen d’embarcations de plaisance. Conformément à leurs droits issus de traités de pêcher pour en tirer une subsistance convenable, les membres de la communauté pourront décider eux-mêmes comment utiliser leurs prises, que ce soit à des fins alimentaires, sociales, rituelles ou commerciales.
Pour obtenir le nouveau permis, Listuguj a élaboré un plan de pêche axé sur la conservation pour la croissance de ses activités de pêche en vertu de la Listuguj Lobster Law. Ensuite, en collaboration avec le MPO, il a été décidé que le Canada autoriserait la pêche au moyen d’un permis expérimental pour la nouvelle zone en vertu de la Loi sur les pêches. De plus, Listuguj et le MPO ont revu leur protocole d’application de la loi pour assurer la coordination entre les Rangers Mi’gmaq et les agents des pêches du MPO.
« La conservation est primordiale », a déclaré le chef Scott Martin. « Comme il est tout aussi important de veiller à ce que les Premières Nations obtiennent leur juste part des activités de la pêche. Cela veut dire que nous devons trouver des façons créatives d’accroître l’accès. Notre pêche automnale est un excellent exemple de la façon d’y parvenir. »
La population de homard de la Gaspésie est en bonne santé, avec des débarquements records.
La nouvelle période de pêche au homard automnale de Listuguj se déroulera du 30 septembre au 14 octobre 2023.
Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec :
Victoria Belton
Conseillère principale
416 997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Gestionnaire, Communications
418 788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
COMMUNITY RELEASE
GUEST HARVESTERS IN LISTUGUJ TERRITORY WILL NEED PERMISSION
September 15, 2023.- Indigenous people from communities outside of Gespe’gewa’gi, will require written permission from the LMG – a Letter of Communal Authority – to harvest in on Listuguj territory within Gespe’gewa’gi, even if they are accompanied by a Listuguj community member.
The LMG implemented the Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy for the conservation and protection of Tia’m (moose) resources within Gespe’gewa’gi territory. The Policy guides who can hunt and how hunting will take place on Listuguj territory within Gespe’gewa’gi. The Natural Resource Directorate, in collaboration with Public Security (Mi’gmaq Rangers) will review and process requests for Letters of Communal Authority (i.e., permits) and will manage the implementation of the Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy and its Guidelines. Harvesting dates for Guest Harvesters are from Treaty Day, October 1, 2023, to October 30, 2023.
First Nations protocols acknowledge that Aboriginal rights only apply within one’s traditional territory. In recent years there have been increased reports of unauthorized harvesting and trespassing on Gespe’gewa’gi lands during the Tia’m harvesting season. The LMG’s goal is to ensure that unauthorized access is eliminated and that Indigenous people with permission to harvest on our lands are complying with our new Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy and its Guidelines for Guest Harvesters.
The Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy is established for the conservation and protection of Tia’mresources within Gespe’gewa’gi and is based on the Listuguj Proclamation on Moose Harvesting adopted by the Honouring our Land Mawiomi on March 23, 2019. Listuguj Mi’gmaq do not require permission to harvest and are encouraged to continue with our respectful harvesting traditions and the teaching of Netugulimg, (only take what you need).
The application form for Letters of Communal Authority is available on the LMG website.
For more information contact:
Amber Brisk, Listuguj Natural Resources Directorate
44 Dundee Road, Listuguj, Gespe’gewa’gi (Qc)
E-mail: amber.brisk@listuguj.ca
Listuguj Natural Resources Department would like to invite community members to their Ghost Gear Community Presentation happening on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 5-7PM at the Community Hall.
For more information, please contact Christy Metallic at 418-788-3022 ext. 3248.
To hear the harmful effects of Ghost Gear on our marine ecosystem, click below:
Although Deven Condo-Mitchell and Amanda Larocque didn’t make it to the finale of The Amazing Race Canada, their legacy and appearance on the show has made history across Turtle Island. The couple brought laughter to viewers week after week, and it was incredible to see the perseverance and growth that came with each challenge. The community of Listuguj has enjoyed watching and is very proud of the couple for earning fourth place overall in the show.
The challenges in the show required concentration, patience, and communication, and Condo-Mitchell and Larocque had to work together and strategize on their game. Larocque said, “We grew a lot as a couple. We grew stronger. Our communication skills were getting better every leg.” The couple would like to encourage others to put themselves out there and get out of their comfort zone because anything is possible.
The couple had their favourite challenges and locations visited while on the show. Condo-Mitchell’s favourite challenge was bungee jumping in Whistler, British Columbia, while Larocque’s was taking part in the tree dancing challenge in Tofino, British Columbia. When it comes to the friendships they made on the show, the couple keeps in contact with fellow competitors via a group chat and getting together whenever they can.
It’s no secret that Condo-Mitchell and Larocque were entertaining with their humour. Their appearance on the show came with plenty of funny moments and quotes, Larocque laughed and said, “Holy Nisgam – people are asking for t-shirts.”
People from across the nation tuned in to watch the show and cheer on Condo-Mitchell and Larocque, and the couple are grateful and overwhelmed by the support they received. Condo-Mitchell said, “We made history. We were the first Mi’gmaq team from the East Coast to represent Mi’gma’gi. There was a great responsibility, and the amount of love and support we got was truly remarkable.”
Larocque expressed her gratitude, and said, “Welalioq and gesaluloq – we love you all. Thank you all for the support throughout this race, it was truly amazing.”
By Ann Marie Jacques
21B Tag Holder Information Sheet
There are 235 traps for the entire 2023 Fall Lobster Season. LMG will fish 60 traps and the remaining 175 traps will be shared equally amongst the registered fishers. Each fisher will receive 8 traps each. Community members can access 1 tag through a registered fisher. However, tags are limited.
How to register for a tag?
Step 1: Come to the Natural Resources Building during the following time slots.
Tag Registration Days: September 12th – 15th, 2023
Location: Natural Resource Building, 44 Dundee Road
Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm, LUNCH, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Step 2: Select the Fisher of your choice from the list of register fishers below.
Note, there is a limit of 8 tags per fisher. You may have to select another available fisher if your first fisher’s tag limit is reached. Choose from the following 21 fishers:
The registered fishers for the 2023 Fall lobster season are:
| 1. Marcus Wysote
2. Ryan Wysote 3. Damien Connors 4. Tim Wysote 5. Blayze Isaac 6. Roland Vicaire 7. Christopher Wilmot 8. Erick Martin
|
9. Albert Wilmot
10. Alexander Morrison 11. JD Morrison 12. Kevin Bixie Methot 13. Ethan Barnaby 14. Erik Lind 15. Patrick Martin 16. Dale Metallic |
17. Ricky Condo
18. Ronald Swasson 19. Luke Morrison 20. August Morrison 21. Jimmy George Moffat |
Step 3: Complete a “Community Lobster Tag Registration Form”
Step 4: Submit completed form to the secretary, Sylvia Barnaby, and wait for a copy.
How do I receive Lobster?
You must make arrangements with your registered Fisher on how you will receive your lobster.
How much lobster should I receive from a Fisher?
The NRD estimates that a tag is worth approximately 20lbs over a 14-day fishery.
Can I still get lobster from the Community Distribution Line-up or Register for Elder Delivery?
No. When you register for a tag, you will be unable to receive lobster through the community distribution line. In addition, if you are an elder who receives a tag, you cannot receive elder’s delivery.
Why a tag system?
The Natural Resources Directorate manages the lobster fishery by monitoring “fishing effort”. Fishing effort is measured by the amount of lobster traps in the water for a giving period of time. To control effort, there must be a limited amount of traps in the water and each trap in the water must be marked with a registered tag. The Listuguj Rangers will remove a trap without a registered tag and the fisher will be held accountable. The effort allocated to the 2023 fall season is 235 traps over a 14-day period.
Why receive a tag?
Community members prefer to receive lobster directly from fishers, avoiding the community distribution line-up.
Can I sell my tag?
Since 2018, the NR department have distributed the effort (amount of traps) equally amongst the registered Fishers. Therefore, Fishers no longer need to purchase tags to fish, as they will receive an equal portion of tags. However, community members can sell the lobster they receive if they choose not to eat it.
Temporary Drinking Water Network Interruption Notice
The tentative schedule for the drinking water network interruptions taking place from Monday, September 11th to Thursday, September 14th, will be as followed:
