Sipekne’katik First Nation bans N.S. premier, ministers in cannabis spat

Advertisement

Advertise with us

INDIAN BROOK - A Nova Scotia First Nation says it has banned the province's premier and two of his senior ministers from band lands. 

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$0 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

INDIAN BROOK – A Nova Scotia First Nation says it has banned the province’s premier and two of his senior ministers from band lands. 

The Sipekne’katik First Nation says Premier Tim Houston, Attorney General Scott Armstrong, and Leah Martin, the minister responsible for leading negotiations on Aboriginal and treaty rights, aren’t welcome, branding them “‘undesirables” in a statement Tuesday.

It’s the latest salvo since the community and other First Nations in the province criticized the provincial government last week for directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis.

Fishing boats from the Sipekne'katik First Nation prepare for the start of its self-regulated treaty lobster fishery in Saulnierville, N.S. on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Fishing boats from the Sipekne'katik First Nation prepare for the start of its self-regulated treaty lobster fishery in Saulnierville, N.S. on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

The directive from Armstrong has sparked criticism that the government may be interfering with law enforcement to target First Nations communities.

The Mi’kmaq community near Shubenacadie says Tuesday that a signed band council resolution declares that the Nova Scotia government has no jurisdiction on reserve lands.

Chief Michelle Glasgow stated that Houston’s government has violated constitutionally-protected Mi’kmaw rights, and that any trespassing on their land is subject to a $50,000 fine.

Glasgow adds in a statement the banning is as much for the protection of the community as it is for the politicians.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip