March 14, 2019 Corner Brook – Qalipu First Nation congratulates its sister nation, Miawpukek
First Nation (MFN), on being part of an artic surf clam agreement that will bring benefits to MFN
while protecting existing plant operations and workers in Grand Bank, NL.

While we recognize the merits of the recently announced agreement struck between Clearwater
Seafoods Inc. and fourteen Mi’kmaq First Nations, thirteen in Nova Scotia and MFN in NL, Qalipu
First Nation must also note that the agreement benefits all but one resource-adjacent Mi’kmaq First
Nation: Qalipu. This was disappointing given that in the first round of the Department of Fisheries
and Oceans’ process for allocating Surf Clam quota, Qalipu partnered with all First Nations in
Newfoundland and Labrador, including Miawpukek First Nation, in a bid to access the allocation for
all provincial Indigenous peoples.

“Qalipu First Nation is the largest Indian Act Band in Canada, representing some twenty thousand
people,” noted Chief Brendan Mitchell. “We are pursuing ambitious economic development goals to
ensure our Band’s well-being, which includes the pursuit of fisheries opportunities. In 2017 our
Band announced a Fisheries Cooperation and Development Agreement with Barry Group Inc. and Allen’s
Fisheries Ltd. to prepare for a new commercial redfish fishery. This announcement was publicly
endorsed by then Minister of Fisheries Dominic LeBlanc. If the Clearwater agreement on surf clams
is acceptable to DFO, then surely, we can expect DFO to continue delivering on its reconciliation
agenda by honoring former Minister LeBLanc’s public statements regarding our access to redfish, and
we look forward to details in the near future.”

Brian Dicks, Corner Brook Ward Councilor and fisheries portfolio holder noted, “We will continue to
work with DFO, the Province and the industry to build our fisheries portfolio. We count the surf
clam announcement as a win for our sister nation, and when DFO delivers a significant allocation of
redfish to Qalipu when the quota is announced, we will see that as a win for us, a win for the
provincial fishing industry, and the fulfillment of a commitment made by a Federal Minister to our
Band.”

Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries Inc. manages all aspects of the Bands commercial fishing enterprises
throughout its 67 traditional Mi’kmaq communities and will continue to advocate for
access to this important traditional and cultural activity.