Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church ) 2000 News Index


This section archives news reports, editorials, and reader commentaries. The goal is to make available to the general public a chronological record of the events that occurred in Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church) that are related to the Marshall Decision and New Brunswick lobster fisheries. The archive is constructed from news and commentary taken from on-line newspapers and news services and is updated regularly.

2001 News Index
1999 News Index
Entire Index 1999 - 2001 (116 kilobytes)


December 24 - December 30, 2000
Tuesday, December 26, 2000
Native lobster dispute far from over
By CHRIS MORRIS
The London Free Press

December 17 - December 23, 2000
Friday, December 22, 2000
DFO investigating Burnt Church incident

CBC News

Monday December 18, 2000
Burnt Church not optimistic fishing dispute with Ottawa will be resolved

Canadian Press


December 10 - December 16, 2000
Saturday, December 16, 2000
Fishers want compensation
The London Free Press

Tuesday, December 12, 2000
Burnt Church reserve looking to curb poverty

CBC News



December 03 - December 09, 2000
Saturday, December 9, 2000
Mi'kmaq own entire Province, N.S. court told
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star

Friday, December 8, 2000
Band says stand creates great pain
The Canadian Press

Thursday, December 7, 2000

Native and non-native fishermen calling for new fisheries minister

CBC News


November 12 - November 18, 2000
Friday, November 17, 2000
Handout System Fails Aboriginal Canadians
By RORY LEISHMAN
The London Free Press


November 05 - November 11, 2000
Friday, November 10, 2000
Native rights expert says Canada at crossroads in relations with aboriginals

By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press

Wednesday, November 8, 2000

WHY I'M NOT CASTING A BALLOT NOV. 27
By ALISON BLACKDUCK
Toronto Star

Tuesday, November 7, 2000
Fishing dispute campaign issue for Alliance

CBC News Online


October 29 - November 04, 2000
Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Opinion
By NOAH AUGUSTINE
Toronto Star


October 22 - October 28, 2000
Saturday, October 28, 2000
Burnt Church fishing dispute cost RCMP $2M
The Ottawa Citizen

Tuesday, October 24, 2000
The Mi'kmaq free market lobster revolution
By LAWRENCE SOLOMON
National Post


Monday, October 23, 2000
Dhaliwal corrupted lobster dispute: MP

By JOHN CUMMINS
National Post

Saturday, October 21, 2000
'We'll have Burnt Church Everywhere 'B.C. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Warns of Consequences of Alliance Victory
Canadian Press

Monday, October 16, 2000

Seeking a leadership role: Ovide Mercredi's high profile of late has raised speculation about the former First Nations chief's political ambitions, writes Rick Mofina.

By RICK MOFINA
The Ottawa Sun


October 15 - October 21, 2000

Monday, October 15, 2000
Careful angling won't hurt salmon
By PIERRE D'AMOURS
Telegraph Journal

Miramichi Association supports safe angling
By J.W. (BUD) BIRD
Telegraph Journal

Natives and anglers must co-operate
By BILL TAYLOR
Telegraph Journal


October 08 - October 14, 2000
Thursday, October 12, 2000
Salmon anglers share the blame
Telegraph-Journal

Hearing set for Big Cove man?

Telegraph-Journal

Burnt Church could draw on American court cases
N.B. law professor offers fishing dispute view
By JOHN CHILIBECK 
Daily Gleaner / Summit News Service

Wednesday, October 11, 2000 

Of native rights - and wrongs
Telegraph-Journal

Burnt Church fishermen might consider alternative to gillnet

By DERWIN GOWAN 
Telegraph-Journal

October 10, 2000
Burnt Church fishery would destroy stocks
By SHAWN NELSON
Telegraph-Journal


Dhaliwal responds to critical column

By
HERB DHALIWAL, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Telegraph-Journal

Gill net crackdown pushed

CONSERVATION: Opponents call the practice 'vicious'
By MARK REID
Telegraph-Journal

Dispute looms over salmon fishing in N.B.
By STEWART BELL
National Post, with files from The Canadian Press

Property rights for white fishermen too need
By LAWRENCE SOLOMON
National Post

Monday, October 09, 2000
DFO denies salmon seizure means new round in fishing dispute
CBC News Online

Sunday, October 8, 2000
Burnt Church troubles only just beginning

By
GRAHAM FRASER
The Toronto Star



October 01 - October 07, 2000
Saturday, October 07, 2000
N.B. native lobster season officially closes
CBC News Online

Friday, October 06, 2000
DFO says it will prosecute Burnt Church lobster buyers
CBC News Online

Thursday, October 05, 2000

Burnt Church and Indian Brook
By OWEN WOODO
CBC News Online

Tuesday, October 3, 2000
Readers write - National Post

By G. Campbell McDonald
National Post

Dhaliwal: Lobster conservation 'first priority'

By HERB DHALIWAL
National Post


September 24 - September 30, 2000
Saturday, September 30, 2000
Euripedes of the Arctic
By MARIAN BOTSFORD FRASER
The Globe and Mail

Ottawa's lobster war against the Mi'kmaq
By WILLIAM HIPWELL
National Post


Friday, September 29, 2000
Marshall leads fishing march
Man who sparked native rights fight breaks silence to urge Indians on
By ALISON AULDA
Canadian Press

Natives chase DFO boats
Canadian Press

Lobster departure cools dispute in Miramichi Bay
Fisheries officials say there are now no more than 300 native traps left in the water
By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press

DFO maintains presence near native lobster traps
By STEPHEN THORNE
Canadian Press

Burnt Church natives hire lobbyist
Lawyer to contact federal officials in lobster dispute
By PAUL WALDIE and JAMES CUDMORE
National Post

Lobsters cool conflict by moving offshore
By KEVIN COX
The Globe and Mail

Thursday, September 28, 2000
Raids continue despite native pledge
Indian leaders join struggle as Ottawa moves to clear traps
By STEPHEN THORNE
Canadian Press

Wednesday, September 27, 2000
Burnt Church lobster fishery raids continue
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Fisheries officers chased by natives seize more traps
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post

Solution for Burnt Church
By HARVEY DORVAL
The Globe and Mail

Situation remains tense in Burnt Church

Canadian Press

Officials haul native traps from N.B. bay
No clashes as warrior boats, federal vessels play cat-and-mouse over lobster catch
By STEPHEN THORNE
Canadian Press

Tuesday, September 26, 2000
Burnt Church may stop fishing within days
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Mercredi returns to Miramichi Bay
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Natives replace seized traps
Canadian Press

Trap raid aborted as gunfire heard
Fisheries officers say shots came from Burnt Church reserve
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post

Fishing fight flares up again
Armed warriors chase officers off Miramichi Bay
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Lobster trap
Phony conservation claims and sharp dealing by the federal fisheries minister foil justice for the natives of Burnt Church
By LAWRENCE SOLOMON
National Post

Monday, September 25, 2000
Fisheries officials execute bold daylight raids
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Oka, part two
By P.J. MITCHELL
National Post

Tensions mount in N.B. fishing dispute
Women shaken by fishermen's anger as chief urges calm
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

More shooting as Fisheries moves in
Canadian Press

Sunday, September 24, 2000
Tensions cool, native support grows in fishing dispute
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Federal boats hook native lobster traps
Miramichi Bay raid ends peacefully as cooler heads prevail
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau


September 17 - September 23, 2000
Saturday, September 23, 2000
Gun signals first shot in fishing war
Commercial boat hit by bullet near Burnt Church
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Three arrested after shots fired on Miramichi Bay
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Native militancy blamed on courts in RCMP report
By STEWART BELL
National Post

For good faith
By FRANCES DEVERALL
National Post

Non-native says his boat shot by native fishermen
Aboriginals deny shooting, call it a ploy to force action by fisheries officers
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post

Shooting alleged in fish dispute
By KEVIN COX AND DEBORAH NOBES
The Globe and Mail

Friday, September 22, 2000
Aboriginal anger over Burnt Church spreads

By DIRK MEISSNER
Canadian Press

Natives get lobster ultimatum
Dhaliwal orders all traps removed from Miramichi Bay today
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Natives behind dispute 'go way back'
Leaders Coon Come, Mercredi cut from the same cloth
By STEWART BELL
National Post

Tension rises at Bunt Church as deadline nears
Warriors vow to take 'counter-action' if Ottawa removes traps
By GRAEME HAMILTON and JUSTINE HUNTER
National Post

Thursday, September 21, 2000
Mi'kmaq given 24 hours to pull traps
Canadian Press

Talks collapse in fishery dispute
Mediator goes home:Native leader calls for prayer as Burnt Church prepares for violence
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post

Ottawa sets Friday deadline
Canadian Press

Burnt Church deal falls apart over boat
By DEBORAH NOBES and MARK MACKINNON
Special to The Globe and Mail; with a report from Mark MacKinnon

Native fishery talks collapse as mediator leaves
By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update with Canadian Press

Lobster peace slipping away
Miramichi Bay talks stall as Rae leaves town and Ottawa talks tough
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Wednesday,September 20, 2000
Burnt Church natives agree to lobster deal

Mediator Bob Rae calls agreement `significant step'
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Deal brokered by Rae could end N.B. fishery dispute
Burnt Church natives agree to remove 'substantial number' of lobster traps
By GRAEME HAMILTON, with files from JUSTINE HUNTER
National Post

No retreat from Burnt Church
Memo to Mr. Dhaliwal: The time has come to pull out the traps
By TITCH DHARAMSI
National Post

Natives agree to Rae proposal
Band members to help fisheries officers count and remove untagged lobster traps
By DEBORAH NOBES
Special to The Globe and Mail with a report from Brian Laghi in Ottawa.

Deal reached in lobster dispute
Rae brokers last-minute agreement that may end standoff near Burnt Church
By DEBORAH NOBES
Special to The Globe and Mail with a report from Brian Laghi in Ottawa.

Crossing the aboriginal divide
By JEFFREY SIMPSON
The Globe and Mail

Tuesday, September 19, 2000
Deadline today for N.B. fishing agreement
Nearing 'end of the line'
By PAUL WALDIE
National Post, with files from The Canadian Press

No end in sight
Even if Bob Rae gets a ceasefire today in Miramichi, the struggle over fishing rights will continue, says veteran treaty negotiator
By TOM ISSAC
The Globe and Mail

Fisheries settlement a longshot, locals say

Today's deadline increases tensions
By DEBORAH NOBLES
With reports from Kevin Cox in Halifax and Shawn McCarthy in Ottawa.

Rae sets deadline to end fish dispute
Hope for peaceful settlement fades as negotiations stall
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Monday, September 18, 2000
Rae sets deadline for fishery settlement

By DEBORAH NOBES
Special to The Globe and Mail

2 sides in fish dispute prepare for war
N.B. natives call Rae's final proposal `insult'
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau


September 10 - September 16, 2000
Friday, September 15, 2000
Rae strikes tentative deal in Miramichi Bay dispute
Ex-Ontario premier to present proposal to fishery officials
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Thursday, September 14, 2000
New Brunswick: Chief alleges endangerment
National Post

Wrong man, wrong job
National Post

Burnt Church: Learn from us
As Mi'kmaq fishermen defy federal fisheries officials and Bob Rae attempts to resolve the standoff, U.S. aboriginal activists say there are lessons to be learned from their experience
By DEBRA McNUTT, ANDREW GOKEE, AND ZOLTAN GROSSMAN
The Globe and the Mail

30 natives occupy fisheries office
Women, children protest Miramichi Bay raids, arrests
By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press

Wednesday, September 13, 2000
Clash on the water raises tension at Burnt Church
Boats seized, 16 arrested: Native mood sours just as Rae begins to mediate
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post, with files from The Canadian Press

14 arrested, boats seized in Miramichi Bay violence

Federal raids make Bob Rae's mediating job `difficult'
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Tuesday, September 12, 2000
Rae to mediate at Burnt Church
Time running out: Dhaliwal drops demand that natives stop fishing
By GRAEME HAMILTON
National Post


September 03 - September 09, 2000
Monday, September 04, 2000
Faceoff at sea in lobster feud
Non-natives sail into area full of Mi`kmaq traps
The Toronto Star


August 27 - September 02, 2000
Wednesday, August 30, 2000
Ottawa flotilla sinks native boats
Fisheries officers remove 900 `illegal' lobster traps during Miramichi boat duel
By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press

Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Ovide Mercredi jumps into fish war: `I've never seen a white man flee from Indians before'

More violence feared after minister bolts
By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press


August 20 - August 26, 2000
Friday, August 25, 2000
Real issues lost in lobster dispute

The Toronto Star

Thursday, August 24, 2000
Native-rights cases to cost `multiple billions'
Lawyer expects next claims will be for oil-gas royalties
By MICHAEL TUTTON
Canadian Press

Wednesday, August 23, 2000
Of course, Canada must regulate Indian fishery

By RICHARD GWYN
The Toronto Star

Violence shatters lobster truce
Fisheries officer may need plastic surgery after attack
By TONDA MacCHARLES
Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau

Tuesday, August 22, 2000
Not to forget Burnt Church good news
By NOAH AUGUSTINE
The Toronto Star

Monday, August 21, 2000
Violence feared as fishing row spreads east
Focus in lobster dispute shifts to N.S.; Band Chief 'worries about a tragedy'
By SUSAN BOURETTE and MARK MACKINNON
The Globe and Mail

Sunday, August 20, 2000
Boyhood pals rock boat on Miramichi Bay
Friends show tough leadership in fishing war
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau


August 13 - August 19, 2000
Saturday, August 19, 2000
Lobster war shifts to Nova Scotia
Traps seized, 4 arrested after backdown in N.B.
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Friday, August 18, 2000
Coon Come offers natives support before lobster lunch

By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Thursday, August 17, 2000
No truce on choppy waters
Fisheries staff spurn Mi'kmaq `cooling-off' offer
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Wednesday, August 16, 2000
Miramichi's war of words
Ottawa talks tough as N.B. natives vow to continue fishing
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Tuesday, August 15, 2000
The angry face of Miramichi Bay
Fishing dispute escalates as native warriors keep vigil at barricades on N.B. reserve
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Monday, August 14, 2000
Fish dispute in N.B. turns ugly
Natives block highway, say federal officers seized traps at gunpoint
The Toronto Star


August 06 - August 12, 2000
Saturday, August 12, 2000
Natives follow own course

By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Defiant natives resume lobster fishing

By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Friday, August 11, 2000
Natives gear up for lobster fight
Burnt Church issues 3,000 tags for traps officials vow to seize
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau

Thursday, August 10, 2000
Burnt Church natives reject lobster deal

308-28 vote sets stage for new fight over fishery
By KELLY TOUGHILL
Toronto Star Atlantic Canada Bureau


June 04 - June 10, 2000
Wednesday, June 7, 2000
Hopes for fishing deal fade as Dhaliwal and natives cancel meeting

Canadian Press


May 28 - June 03, 2000
Friday, June 2, 2000
Native lobster dispute simmers, traps seized

London Free Press

Thursday, June 1, 2000
Disputed lobster fishery turning into cat and mouse game

Canadian Press


May 14 - May 20, 2000
Saturday, May 20, 2000
Mi'kmaq fishermen in New Brunswick continue to set traps with their own tags
Canadian Press

Thursday, May 18, 2000
Groups back native fishery

The London Free Press

Thursday, May 18, 2000
Let the natives run fishery, Ottawa told

The Toronto Star

No deal in sight to settle dispute over native lobster fishery
Canadian Press

Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Groups urge feds to allow native management of lobster fishery

Canadian Press


May 07 - May 13, 2000
Monday, May 8, 2000
Indians defy lobster rules
By CHRIS MORRIS
The Gazette (Montreal)

Female fishers place lobster traps
The London Free Press

Sunday, May 7, 2000
Lobster tussle
The Calgary Sun

Fishery tensions rise as native traps seized
The London Free Press

Defiant native fishermen test Ottawa's resolve in lobster fishery
Canadian Press


April 30 - May 06, 2000
Monday, May 6, 2000
Tensions heating up in native fishery

Canadian Press

Monday, May 1, 2000
Burnt Church heats up, again

The Edmonton Sun

Lobster fishery still festering: Although season has started calmly, aboriginal communities are divided
By CHRIS MORRIS
The Gazette (Montreal)

Calm belies tension at lobster fishery
By CHRIS MORRIS
The London Free Press

Sunday, April 30, 2000
Tensions lurk beneath calm surface of lobster fishery

By CHRIS MORRIS
Canadian Press

Lobster season opens peacefully: Natives, non-natives return to last year's Atlantic troublespot
By CHRIS MORRIS
The Ottawa Citizen

Fishers hope for lobsters not trouble
The London Free Press


April 23 - April 29, 2000
Saturday, April 29, 2000
Peace reigns as fishing begins after last fall's violent lobster wars, 'Nobody wants trouble'
By KELLY TOUGHILL
The Toronto Star

Grumbling, complaining but no trouble as lobster season opens
Canadian Press

Peaceful opening to lobster season pleases Fisheries officials
Canadian Press

Friday, April 28, 2000
Lobster season opening may test forces of law and order: Fishery challenges native and non-native fishermen to reach some sort of accommodation to share the resource

By CHRIS MORRIS
The Vancouver Sun

Fishermen want lobsters, not trouble, as spring season opens
Canadian Press

Thursday, April 27, 2000
Lobster season will test native, non-native relations

Canadian Press


April 02- April 08, 2000
Tuesday, April 4, 2000
Burnt Church natives vow to regulate own lobster fishery
Canadian Press

Monday, April 3, 2000
Christians want to calm fishery waters

STEVE MACLEOD, The Canadian Press
The Calgary Herald

Religious group to monitor fishery
The London Free Press

'God's referees' enter fish dispute
The Ottawa Citizen

Sunday, April 2, 2000
Religious group sends 'peacekeeping team' to observe native fishery

Canadian Press


March 26 - April 01, 2000
Monday, March 27, 2000
New Brunswick

The Toronto Star

Sunday, March 26, 2000
Natives refuse to sign agreement, vow to fish after meeting minister

Canadian Press


March 12 - March 18, 2000
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
N.B. Natives quit talks, 'Going to fish'

By CHRIS MORRIS, Canadian Press
The London Free Press

Native fish talks break down in Atlantic Canada
The Ottawa Citizen

Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Defiant native fishermen vow to ignore Ottawa and set own rules

Canadian Press


March 05 - March 11, 2000
Sunday, March 5, 2000
More violence feared

Catholic New Times


February 27 - March 04, 2000
Thursday, March 2, 2000
Native fishermen who lost thousands of lobster traps during a skirmish with non-natives last fall reacted with anger to news the vandals were fined a mere $400: Burnt Church reserve

Canadian Press


February 20 - February 26, 2000
Monday, February 21, 2000
RCMP predicted treaty ruling would cause violence

By RICK MOFINA
The Ottawa Citizen