By: Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. Source: Cape Breton Post
November 12, 2025

Nova Scotians are concerned about the provincial government agreeing to consider a golf course on the lands of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park which was designated as a protected park in 2001. Golf developer Cabot has twice attempted to plan an 18-hole golf course on this site, only to be rejected by the provincial government in 2018 and 2023. Photo: Ian Nathanson/Cape Breton Post file. Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A coalition of Mi’kmaw, settler groups and communities from across Nova Scotia will gather at the Halifax Commons this weekend in a movement called “Shoulder to Shoulder.” The rally is being held to call on the provincial Tim Houston government to respect Mi’kmaw rights, follow democratic processes and stop selling off Nova Scotia to corporate interests.

Events in Cape Breton are a catalyst for the gathering.

“If you live, work, play or pray in Nova Scotia, we want you there,” say Mi’kmaw land defenders Glenda Junta of Eskasoni and Michelle Paul of Acadia First Nation. “We’re standing in solidarity with all resistance movements in Nova Scotia. We want to hear your voices.”

Both women are spending time on Hunter’s Mountain in Cape Breton defending the land from forestry operations.

Saturday’s gathering is being led by Mi’kmaw rights holders and in solidarity with all the land defenders at Tqamuoweye’katik/Hunter’s Mountain. Organizers are inviting all concerned citizens to join them in demanding accountability from the Nova Scotia government on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Mi’kmaw Land defenders have been working to protect traditional medicinal sites on Hunters Mountain in Cape Breton since September. Some have constructed small camps near the logging roads where they say they will stay until the issue of clearcutting is resolved peacefully. Many supporters will take part in a “Shoulder to Shoulder” rally of Mi’kmaw and settlers taking place this weekend in Halifax. Photo: Aaron Beswick, Saltwire

Frustration growing

The Shoulder to Shoulder Rally comes out of a groundswell of frustration and public outcry from all corners of the province.

Organizers say that since January 2025, the Houston government has made numerous controversial changes to provincial legislation and governance, including the lifting of bans on uranium mining (March 2025) and fracking (February 2025), consolidating power over municipal development, a willingness to allow private development in protected areas, and changes to the Crown Lands Act that experts warn could infringe on Mi’kmaw Treaty Rights and criminalize legal protest.

Maggy Burns, executive director with the Ecology Action Centre, says Nova Scotians are “fed up.”

“This rally comes after months of growing unrest over the Houston government’s disregard for Mi’kmaw Rights, environmental safeguards and democratic processes. We’ve seen thousands of people from all corners of the province rallying in the streets, organizing in their communities, signing petitions, contacting their elected officials and more. This is the next step in a growing movement to take back our future from wealthy corporate interests and ensure that everyone living in Mi’kma’ki can truly thrive,” she says.

The groundswell of protest began in earnest in September when Mi’kmaw land protectors turned their attention to Hunters Mountain where clearcutting of trees was threatening traditional Indigenous hunting and healing medicinal grounds. Since that time, the provincial government enacted a law making it illegal to interfere with trucks on logging roads.

In response, Mi’kmaw land defenders constructed small camps on the mountain where they say they will stay until the issue is resolved peacefully.

In the midst of growing public concern, organizers say their message is one of unity and hope.

“We can build a better future for our communities,” says Nina Newington, president of Save Our Old Forests (SOOF). “But only if we work together. Houston’s arrogant disrespect for Treaty Rights and democracy, his attempts to reverse the progress we have made – all this has brought us together – Mi’kmaq and settlers, city dwellers and rural people. We’re building a movement dedicated to a livable future for all.”

Coxheath, Mabou concerns

Of recent concern to many people in Cape Breton (Unama’ki) is a proposed mining project at the Coxheath Hills site. Photo: Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association/Destination Cape Breton

A proposed mining project at the Coxheath Hills site near Sydney is a recent concern for many people in Cape Breton (Unama’ki) as well as a surprise proposal that the government is looking to build a golf course near the protected lands of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

“Nova Scotians care deeply about protecting our beloved natural spaces, and we won’t stand for a government that’s intent on moving us all backward on conservation. If the government refuses to lead on protecting our environment and communities, then the people of this province will band together,” warns Margaret MacDonell, organizer with Save West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

Organizers of the Shoulder to Shoulder Rally say they are urging communities to stand up and have their voices heard.

“We’re coming together to protect Mother Earth from destruction,” says Kukuwes Wowkis, a Mi’kmaw land defender at Hunters Mountain.

“It’s so crucial for us to protect the lands for the next seven generations, for my grandchildren and yours, before it’s too late.”

Sarah Trask, organizer with Safe and Responsible Resource Development (SARRD), is concerned that the government is taking decisions that will leave Nova Scotia wide open to exploitation of its waterways, forests, homes and health.

“We stand together unified to address the numerous problems with the current N.S. government. Tim Houston and his government lifted the evidence-based ban on uranium exploration and mining without any consultation with the Mi’kmaq or communities.”

She said the present government is showing a destructive pattern of lack of consultation, lack of transparency, removing environmental protections and putting the health and safety of Nova Scotians and our environment at risk.

Aligned efforts

Also taking part in the rally on Saturday will be the Centre for Environmental Justice Society.

“We are here in solidarity with our grassroots grandmothers, water protectors and land defenders. As Black Loyalists our responsibility to this land is one that is sacred. We are here to show our aligned efforts in creating a safer, cleaner and just world. We are here to speak our truth and point out where communities have been forgotten once again,” said Vanessa Hartley.

Hartley is an eighth-generation Black Loyalist descendant, born and raised in the African Nova Scotian community of Shelburne, and is a long-time environmental advocate.

UPDATE: CBC reported on Thursday, November 13th that Premier Houston told reporters the West Mabou golf development would not proceed because it was not in the best interests of Nova Scotians. To read the online CBC report, click here.

This story was written by Rosemary Godin, the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Cape Breton Post.