Abenaki, Mi’kmaq and Mohawk Oppose Endangered Listing of Black Ash

Abenaki, Mi’kmaq and Mohawk Nations in Quebec don’t want the federal government to list the black ash tree as an endangered species — even though it’s central to some of their cultural practices, mainly basket-weaving. 

If the environment ministry decides to list black ash tree is listed as “at-risk,” it would fall under the Species at Risk Act [SARA]. People caught harvesting the tree or making or selling black ash products would be subject to fines. 

“We’ve made it very, very clear to the government that regardless [of] what happens, regardless whether or not they decide to pass this without making an agreement with us, without allowing us to continue our traditions and our way of life, we will continue no matter what,” said Chief Rick O’Bomsawin of the Abenaki Council of Odanak. 

Read the full article at APTM.