Article contentThe two main buildings at the Hunter’s Mountain cultural revitalization camp burned down early Saturday morning. There are no reports of any injuries and it is believed no one was staying in any of the buildings overnight at the time of the fire. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentPresently, RCMP are seeking information about what they have called suspicious fires at the camp. Article contentArticle contentAccording to the police report, on December 13 at approximately 1:20 a.m., officers, fire services, and EHS responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1000 block of the Cabot Trail. When first responders arrived on scene, an unoccupied structure was fully engulfed in flames. Signs of a fire were observed in a second similar structure located approximately 100 feet away. Firefighters located and extinguished the fire. Article contentArticle contentThe first structure was destroyed. The second has significant damage. Article contentInvestigators have contacted the Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal for awareness and support. Article contentThe camp was built in early September in response to logging practices on the mountain by pulp and paper companies that the Mi’kmaw consider are harming the mountain’s ecology, traditional medicines, and sacred spiritual places. There were only two wooden buildings left standing at the site while tents had gradually been removed as the old weather began. Article contentAt least one woman had planned to stay overnight for security but changed her mind at the last minute due to some health concerns. Article contentArticle contentCAMP WAS BEING DISMANTLEDArticle contentArticle contentThe camp was in the process of being dismantled and having logs hauled away by the Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia that was working with Victoria County and camp builders. Article contentArticle contentEarlier this month, according to a sub-page of the Nova Scotia Forest Matters group called Wabanaki Forest, the land defenders at Tqamuoeye’katik (Hunter’s Mountain) made the decision to close up parts of camp but maintain a minimal presence there until the thaw and renewed logging threats of late winter/early spring began again. Article content“The Sacred Fire burned for 83 days on site and was put out in ceremony on December 2nd, with a firm commitment to return in spring,” the website reported. Article contentPeople had driven to the camp Friday during the day to check it out and all was well. Article contentAs sadness spread around the Indigenous communities at the news of the fire, many on social media put out calls to “build bigger and build better” in the spring. Article contentTents and a couple of log buildings were built as housing during the first month as a steady stream of visitors and defenders from across the province came to support the land defenders and protectors. Many elders, women and children from all five Unama’ki communitites spent time staying at the camp.
Hunter’s Mountain Mi’kmaw camp burns to ground in suspicious fire
