November 19, 2025
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you as a small business owner and community member deeply concerned about the ongoing situation on Hunters Mountain, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. While I fully recognize and respect the difficult history and ongoing challenges that Indigenous peoples have faced in this country, the current circumstances are creating significant hardship for local businesses and community members.
Generational trauma is real, and no amount of money or policy can erase the pain many Indigenous families continue to endure. At the same time, I believe strongly that the only way forward is by working together – Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike – to create a future built on mutual respect, fairness, and opportunity for generations.
Unfortunately, the recent actions on Hunters Mountain, such as road blockages and interruptions to work, have had severe impacts on businesses like mine. Many small enterprises in our area are already struggling, and these disruptions place additional burdens on our livelihoods. When we reach out to government for assistance, we are often met with apologies but rarely with meaningful solutions.
Adding to this frustration is the perception of inequity in how support and funding are distributed. Indigenous communities receive substantial government funding for a wide range of needs, while small business owners – who are the backbone of our local economy – are often left without similar assistance. Because of the ongoing situation on Hunters Mountain, my own business is now at risk of closure. I ask respectfully: where is the funding, support, and relief for small business owners who are facing the loss of everything they have worked so hard to build? Where are the grants, the programs, and the handouts for us when we need them most?
Across Canada, families are struggling with housing shortages, rising costs, inadequate healthcare, and food insecurity. These issues affect all Canadians, regardless of background, and require urgent, balanced attention. We cannot continue down a path where one group is prioritized over another; rather, we must seek solutions that promote equity, unity, and progress for everyone.
Our county has long aspired to be a place where people of all nations and nationalities are treated equally and can thrive together. For too long, this has felt more like a dream than a reality. It is time for decisive action that makes this vision real.
I respectfully urge you and your government to take meaningful steps toward resolving the situation on Hunters Mountain in a way that protects both Indigenous rights and the stability of local communities and businesses. We need leadership that not only acknowledges concerns but also delivers solutions.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the perspectives of small business owners like myself. I look forward to seeing positive steps taken to build trust, foster collaboration, and create a stronger, fairer community for all.
Sincerely,
Agnes Morin
The Lakes Restaurant and Cottages
Margaree
