Burnt Church-2000/05/08-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTnet
May 8, 2000
NEW BRUNSWICK: Esgenoopetitj Update April 4-27, 2000

Tuesday, April 4
Lena Siegers and Janet Shoemaker arrived in Esgenoopetitj First Nation. Upon arrival at the learning center, now also serving as the band office, they were greeted by four TV and radio reporters. After about one-half hour of interviews, the reporters left and allowed the team to greet band members and find accomodations.

Thursday, April 6
Siegers did an interview with CHAU-TV, a French-speaking New Brunswick station at the wharf in Burnt Church. A local non-native woman came to meet the team while there on the wharf. She has been involved in setting up meetings with people from the different communities that were affected by the conflict last fall as a way to foster dialogue. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, whose beat includes the reserve, also stopped to meet team members.

At the band office, Siegers talked with a fisherman who explained that he lost over 100 traps last fall, each worth $50. He replaced them with old, cheap traps, but is unable to buy any more because the businesses that sell traps will not sell to aboriginals.

The team met with Catherine Anderson and Wilf Bean, members of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC). ARC is planning to send an oberserver/witness team during the fishing season to provide an outside presence. They asked for clarification of CPT's purpose and how the two groups could work together effectively.

Saturday, April 8
The team went with gkisedtanamookg and miigam'agan to Moncton for an ARC meeting. The main focus of the meeting was the ARC presence in Burnt Church this spring. CPT explained it's philosophy and purpose in coming to Esgenoopetitj.

Sunday, April 9
Gerry Lepp arrived with a tent trailor which will be the team's home for the next three months. Members of the team spent the day setting up camp behind the last house on the reserve along the bay.

Tuesday, April 11
A TV crew from a French CBC station in Moncton arrived to follow the team around for several days. The team visited the RCMP office in Neguac (with TV crew in tow) to talk with Corporal Gilbert Anctil. He agreed to meet the following morning. The team then went to the office of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), also in Neguac, to set up another meeting for the next day. Shoemaker did a long interview at the camp site with CBC.

Wednesday, April 12
The team woke up to very strong winds and snow; they folded up camp to prevent any damage from happening to the trailor.

The team visited with Coporal Anctil who spoke of the good work that the RCMP does in the surrounding community. Returned to the reserve to talk briefly with a band councillor The team then visited with Bob Alain, spokesperson for the DFO. He explained to us DFO duties and how the licensed lobster fishery operates. He expressed empathy with the native perspective on wanting access to the fishery, but held to the government position that they must be held under the government regulatory system.

The team spent the night in the Esgenoopetitj fire hall.

Thursday, April 13
Joel Klassen arrived. The CBC TV crew met him at the train station, then followed the team back to the reserve to interview Joel in French.

Friday, April 14
The team went to Tim Horton's (a donut chain) in Neguac, a local hang-out for French-speaking fishermen, for coffee and conversation. In brief chats with a few of the men, one stated that he did not foresee any conflict over the fishery this spring.

The team moved their camp to a new, more sheltered location on the same property and set up again.

Saturday, April 15
The team attended a morning Community Dialogue Forum, a place for members from both the native and non-native communities, government officials, and others interested in looking for ways to begin resolving the conflict. In the afternoon, the team was invited to present CPT to the non-native community of Burnt Church and explain CPT's mission and work here.

Monday, April 17
The team went to Miramichi to witness the sentencing of six young native men who had pled guilty to charges of break and entering. On October 3, 1999, after they had learned of the destruction of their traps, they proceeded to the home of a local non-native fisherman who had been part of the demonstration that morning to "get back" the traps they had lost. In the following confrontation, two of them were severely beaten, and the other four suffered more minor injuries. The court demanded full restitution for damage of property, $1200 each man, and two-year house arrest for four of the men. Community members expressed disgust at the sentences, particularly in light of the suspended sentences and $400 fine for each of the 22 fishermen who had been charged for cutting native traps last fall. That action resulted in over $200,000 worth of damaged property and a loss of income for all native fishermen.

In the evening, the team visited Albert Martin, a band councillor and retired RCMP officer. He said he retired early due to the racism he experienced within the RCMP.

Tuesday, April 18
Gerry and Joel spent most of the day talking with gkisedtanamookg, a spiritual leader, and a person with insight into the Canadian constitution and law, how it pertains to the treaties with First Nations, and the government's responsibilities to First Nations. He later took the team to the band's ceremonial grounds.

Wednesday, April 19
The Warrior chief, Clifford Larry, stopped by to meet the team. He explained the warriors' role-to protect their community and to keep people from their own community in check during times of potential conflict.

Thursday, April 20
The team met with Seargant Chuck Lemay, of the Neguac RCMP to dialogue about CPT's presence and the RCMP relations to the native community. Chuck assured us that there is no racism in the Neguac detachment.

Lepp, Siegers, and Klassen visited Greg Ross, vice-president of the harbour authority in Burnt Church, at his home in Berryville. The team listened while Greg and his wife vented their feelings about the current conflict and the issues surrounding it. The visit reinforced for the team the need for the non-native community to talk about their fears, anger and mistrust.

Friday, April 21
The team took a walk through the reserve, visiting briefly with a fisherman getting his traps ready for the fishing season. He had a pile of old wooden ones. He was making bigger escape hatches on them. He explained that the white man he had bought them from had been allowed to use them as they were last year. DFO officials told the new owner that he had to make the escape hatches bigger. The DFO watches him and other aboriginal fishers more closely than non-native fishers, he stated.

Saturday, April 22
The team had supper at Albert and Sandra Martin's home. Albert told of his support for people who are making formal complaints against the RCMP. He talked about the displeasure in both the native and non-native communities with the actions of the RCMP. He talked of the RCMP's unwillingness to meet with the band council to talk about ways to avoid the kind of confrontation that happened last October.

Sunday, April 23
The team had supper at the home of Dan Kirkegaard, the United Church pastor in Burnt Church. He has been working to find ways to bring people in the native and non-native communities together, and has been facilitating the Community Dialogue Forums.

Monday, April 24
Lloyd Augustine visited the team in the morning. Lloyd is part of the fisheries committee which has drafted the band's management and regulation plan. He spoke about many native peoples' distrust of white people, and reiterated that although the white members of the team aren't guilty for what their ancestors did, they are responsible for the entrenched racism that continues to hold down First Nations people.

Tuesday, April 25
The team walked into a band meeting at the learning center in the morning. The emergency meeting was called after a media report had been released stating that the band had signed an agreement with the DFO. The chief, Wilbur Dedam, and Lloyd assured the many concerned (and angry) band members, that no agreement had been signed and that the band would immediately send out a press release correcting the misinformation. (The news came out that same morning that angry fishers of a neighboring Mi'kmaq reserve burned a trailor belonging to their chief after he signed an agreement with the DFO.)

The team attended the third Community Dialogue Forum in the evening. A plan for action was agreed upon by those gathered to be announced at a press conference on Friday morning.

Wednesday, April 26
The team paid an evening visit to a native fisherman who was directly involved in the stand-off between native and non-native fishers and native fishers and the DFO last fall. He spoke of the lack of response from non-natives last fall whom native people had previously trusted and how that trust had been broken. He admitted that, initially, he did not want to accept CPT's presence in the community, but is now glad they are here. They talked of possible strategies for the team when the fishing begins. He said it would be good to have observers on the water and offered the use of his motor boat to the team. He expressed irritation with the media's attempt to escalate the conflict by inaccurate reporting on several events of the past weeks.

Thursday, April 27
The team went to look for the Tabusintac and Neguac wharves. Both wharves were filled with lobster traps, ready for the fishing season which begins April 29.

Lloyd paid a short visit to inform the team that the DFO announced through the radio medium that they will rip out any traps that are not set in accordance with DFO regulations. He discussed the Canadian government's tactics of pressuring native fishers by confiscating their equipment so that they will pressure the band council to sign an agreement with the DFO.

_______________________
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, TEL 312-455-1199 FAX 312-432-1213 / To receive news or discussion of CPT issues by e-mail, fill out the form found on our WEB page at http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/


		Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives CPTnet May 8, 2000 NEW BRUNSWICK: Esgenoopetitj Update April 4-27, 2000 Tuesday, April 4 Lena Siegers and Janet Shoemaker arrived in Esgenoopetitj First Nation. Upon arrival at the learning center, now also serving as the band office, they were greeted by four TV and radio reporters. After about one-half hour of interviews, the reporters left and allowed the team to greet band members and find accomodations. Thursday, April 6 Siegers did an interview with CHAU-TV, a French-speaking New Brunswick station at the wharf in Burnt Church. A local non-native woman came to meet the team while there on the wharf. She has been involved in setting up meetings with people from the different communities that were affected by the conflict last fall as a way to foster dialogue. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, whose beat includes the reserve, also stopped to meet team members. At the band office, Siegers talked with a fisherman who explained that he lost over 100 traps last fall, each worth $50. He replaced them with old, cheap traps, but is unable to buy any more because the businesses that sell traps will not sell to aboriginals. The team met with Catherine Anderson and Wilf Bean, members of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC). ARC is planning to send an oberserver/witness team during the fishing season to provide an outside presence. They asked for clarification of CPT's purpose and how the two groups could work together effectively. Saturday, April 8 The team went with gkisedtanamookg and miigam'agan to Moncton for an ARC meeting. The main focus of the meeting was the ARC presence in Burnt Church this spring. CPT explained it's philosophy and purpose in coming to Esgenoopetitj. Sunday, April 9 Gerry Lepp arrived with a tent trailor which will be the team's home for the next three months. Members of the team spent the day setting up camp behind the last house on the reserve along the bay. Tuesday, April 11 A TV crew from a French CBC station in Moncton arrived to follow the team around for several days. The team visited the RCMP office in Neguac (with TV crew in tow) to talk with Corporal Gilbert Anctil. He agreed to meet the following morning. The team then went to the office of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), also in Neguac, to set up another meeting for the next day. Shoemaker did a long interview at the camp site with CBC. Wednesday, April 12 The team woke up to very strong winds and snow; they folded up camp to prevent any damage from happening to the trailor. The team visited with Coporal Anctil who spoke of the good work that the RCMP does in the surrounding community. Returned to the reserve to talk briefly with a band councillor The team then visited with Bob Alain, spokesperson for the DFO. He explained to us DFO duties and how the licensed lobster fishery operates. He expressed empathy with the native perspective on wanting access to the fishery, but held to the government position that they must be held under the government regulatory system. The team spent the night in the Esgenoopetitj fire hall. Thursday, April 13 Joel Klassen arrived. The CBC TV crew met him at the train station, then followed the team back to the reserve to interview Joel in French. Friday, April 14 The team went to Tim Horton's (a donut chain) in Neguac, a local hang-out for French-speaking fishermen, for coffee and conversation. In brief chats with a few of the men, one stated that he did not foresee any conflict over the fishery this spring. The team moved their camp to a new, more sheltered location on the same property and set up again. Saturday, April 15 The team attended a morning Community Dialogue Forum, a place for members from both the native and non-native communities, government officials, and others interested in looking for ways to begin resolving the conflict. In the afternoon, the team was invited to present CPT to the non-native community of Burnt Church and explain CPT's mission and work here. Monday, April 17 The team went to Miramichi to witness the sentencing of six young native men who had pled guilty to charges of break and entering. On October 3, 1999, after they had learned of the destruction of their traps, they proceeded to the home of a local non-native fisherman who had been part of the demonstration that morning to "get back" the traps they had lost. In the following confrontation, two of them were severely beaten, and the other four suffered more minor injuries. The court demanded full restitution for damage of property, $1200 each man, and two-year house arrest for four of the men. Community members expressed disgust at the sentences, particularly in light of the suspended sentences and $400 fine for each of the 22 fishermen who had been charged for cutting native traps last fall. That action resulted in over $200,000 worth of damaged property and a loss of income for all native fishermen. In the evening, the team visited Albert Martin, a band councillor and retired RCMP officer. He said he retired early due to the racism he experienced within the RCMP. Tuesday, April 18 Gerry and Joel spent most of the day talking with gkisedtanamookg, a spiritual leader, and a person with insight into the Canadian constitution and law, how it pertains to the treaties with First Nations, and the government's responsibilities to First Nations. He later took the team to the band's ceremonial grounds. Wednesday, April 19 The Warrior chief, Clifford Larry, stopped by to meet the team. He explained the warriors' role-to protect their community and to keep people from their own community in check during times of potential conflict. Thursday, April 20 The team met with Seargant Chuck Lemay, of the Neguac RCMP to dialogue about CPT's presence and the RCMP relations to the native community. Chuck assured us that there is no racism in the Neguac detachment. Lepp, Siegers, and Klassen visited Greg Ross, vice-president of the harbour authority in Burnt Church, at his home in Berryville. The team listened while Greg and his wife vented their feelings about the current conflict and the issues surrounding it. The visit reinforced for the team the need for the non-native community to talk about their fears, anger and mistrust. Friday, April 21 The team took a walk through the reserve, visiting briefly with a fisherman getting his traps ready for the fishing season. He had a pile of old wooden ones. He was making bigger escape hatches on them. He explained that the white man he had bought them from had been allowed to use them as they were last year. DFO officials told the new owner that he had to make the escape hatches bigger. The DFO watches him and other aboriginal fishers more closely than non-native fishers, he stated. Saturday, April 22 The team had supper at Albert and Sandra Martin's home. Albert told of his support for people who are making formal complaints against the RCMP. He talked about the displeasure in both the native and non-native communities with the actions of the RCMP. He talked of the RCMP's unwillingness to meet with the band council to talk about ways to avoid the kind of confrontation that happened last October. Sunday, April 23 The team had supper at the home of Dan Kirkegaard, the United Church pastor in Burnt Church. He has been working to find ways to bring people in the native and non-native communities together, and has been facilitating the Community Dialogue Forums. Monday, April 24 Lloyd Augustine visited the team in the morning. Lloyd is part of the fisheries committee which has drafted the band's management and regulation plan. He spoke about many native peoples' distrust of white people, and reiterated that although the white members of the team aren't guilty for what their ancestors did, they are responsible for the entrenched racism that continues to hold down First Nations people. Tuesday, April 25 The team walked into a band meeting at the learning center in the morning. The emergency meeting was called after a media report had been released stating that the band had signed an agreement with the DFO. The chief, Wilbur Dedam, and Lloyd assured the many concerned (and angry) band members, that no agreement had been signed and that the band would immediately send out a press release correcting the misinformation. (The news came out that same morning that angry fishers of a neighboring Mi'kmaq reserve burned a trailor belonging to their chief after he signed an agreement with the DFO.) The team attended the third Community Dialogue Forum in the evening. A plan for action was agreed upon by those gathered to be announced at a press conference on Friday morning. Wednesday, April 26 The team paid an evening visit to a native fisherman who was directly involved in the stand-off between native and non-native fishers and native fishers and the DFO last fall. He spoke of the lack of response from non-natives last fall whom native people had previously trusted and how that trust had been broken. He admitted that, initially, he did not want to accept CPT's presence in the community, but is now glad they are here. They talked of possible strategies for the team when the fishing begins. He said it would be good to have observers on the water and offered the use of his motor boat to the team. He expressed irritation with the media's attempt to escalate the conflict by inaccurate reporting on several events of the past weeks. Thursday, April 27 The team went to look for the Tabusintac and Neguac wharves. Both wharves were filled with lobster traps, ready for the fishing season which begins April 29. Lloyd paid a short visit to inform the team that the DFO announced through the radio medium that they will rip out any traps that are not set in accordance with DFO regulations. He discussed the Canadian government's tactics of pressuring native fishers by confiscating their equipment so that they will pressure the band council to sign an agreement with the DFO. _______________________ Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, TEL 312-455-1199 FAX 312-432-1213 / To receive news or discussion of CPT issues by e-mail, fill out the form found on our WEB page at http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/