Burnt Church-2000/07/07-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTNET
July 7, 2000
ESGENO' PETITJ (BURNT CHURCH), NEW BRUNSWICK UPDATE: June 13-28, 2000

Tuesday, June 13
At 3:30 p.m. a federal Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) boat arrived and began cruising the bay. School had just gotten out and several community children stood on the shore yelling, "They're going to steal our traps. Somebody stop them." Four community boats responded with CPTers Chris Buhler and Cliff Kindy as observers.

At 7 p.m. the DFO spotter plane made a low run along the entire bayshore.

Wednesday, June 14
Although the community expected another raid they decided not to respond to such provocation but instead film the operation from shore and allow the DFO to confiscate the remaining traps in the water. No raid occurred.

Thursday, June 15
CPTer Lena Siegers represented CPTer Bob Holmes at his court hearing to set trial date. A backup trial date was set for November 30th, 2000, if he does not receive the same judgment as William Payne on August 31. CPTers Buhler, Siegers, Jane Wright and someone from the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) spent 3 hours with DFO Regional Director Bob Allain. They returned disappointed with his response to concerns raised by the group and with his apparent unwillingness or inability to understand the treaty rights of the esgenopetitj people.

Friday, June 16
The community was concerned that the DFO would try to confiscate the "Trophy boat" and made plans to thwart this. A DFO pickup was observed checking traps on shore.

Saturday, June 17
Approximately 8:30 am a DFO boat was spotted. Two dories went out and two persons prepared the Trophy boat. The DFO boat was doing a sail by. The community suspected they were there to learn about the Trophy boat and then serve as a lure to pull out the dories in the hope of documenting some infraction. The DFO pulled one trap. A community person told them it was community property.

Shortly thereafter two community groups put out seven traps with toys and messages prepared yesterday by the women and children. The Moncton _Telegraph-Journal_ later carried the story of how the community had put the toys and messages in the lobster traps to appeal to the hearts of the DFO officers. The story and picture of community member Martina Parker ran on the front page.

Sunday, June 18
CPTers Siegers, Wright, and Heather St. James-Perry attended the local United Church. The service was followed by a potuck for the minister, Dan Kirkegaard, who is leaving the parish. Rev. Kirkegaard was instrumental in setting up community dialogues.

James Ward, a local band member started a 4-5 day fast with a sweat. CPTer Kindy loaned a community member Walter Wink's "Peace is the Way".

Around 12:40 the DFO boat arrived out of the east, staying about 50 minutes. The team then participated in their second potluck of the day in the community. People seemed concerned about what the band council was going to do in regard to signing an interim DFO agreement.

Monday, June 19
About mid morning Louis Breau (DFO) drove into the reserve near the watch tent trailer and began asking CPTer Kindy questions about the June 12th confrontation on the water. Kindy requested that someone from the community accompany him to witness the conversation. Breau mistakenly thought that Kindy was in one of the boats that day. Other than identifying one or two CPTers, Kindy was not able to answer Breau's questions. Band members later suggested it would have been more appropriate for the team to insist that members would only speak to DFO officers off the reserve since the DFO is technically not allowed to be on the reserve, and speaking with them there might legitimate their conduct.

CPT later contacted the DFO to ascertain with what authority Breau was investigating an incident in which he himself had participated. DFO's Allain assured the team that Breau did have the authority to investigate the incident even though he was one of the people involved in it. Allain indicated that DFO officers do this routinely.

In the afternoon, two unknown vessels were observed possibly tampering with the traps. After several stops they left appearing to head for Neguac. CPTers Siegers, Kindy and St. James-Perry were asked to go to Neguac to try to identify the vessels but they could not locate them.

Wednesday, June 21
CPT was invited to participate in a march commemorating Aboriginal Day. The march was followed by a community picnic replete with hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks as well as fresh popcorn made on site by CPTers Siegers and Kindy.

Thursday, June 22
An ARC member was on watch and joined the team for worship. CPTers Siegers and Wright went to Baie St. Anne to check things out. They talked to fishermen who denied the trouble that had taken place in the fall, and to a woman who knew all about it and was very sorry for the native people. She knew a lot of the people who went out to cut traps and did not approve. There are many poachers in the area but the DFO does not bother them, she said. This season has been a very profitable for lobster fishing.

Kindy participated in a "sweat" related to James Ward's fast.

Friday, June 23
The DFO appeared out of the mist at approximately 5:10 a.m. with three boats. They made a quick swoop, appearing to taunt the community into chasing them but the community did not follow. Community members asked CPT to go to the wharf at Neguac to see whether traps had been taken. CPTers Kindy and St. James-Perry responded and counted ten traps taken (DFO later reported twelve.) At the docks they counted eight DFO pickup trucks and a police cruiser.

According to a community member, Aboriginal peoples represent 5% of the Maritime region's population yet they plan to set less than 1% of the traps Canada currently permits.

In the afternoon, CPT ers conducted a prayer pilgrimage at various DFO and other sites, praying, reading a litany and holding a banner "Honour The Treaties". At the DFO offices, in Tracadie and Neguac, CPTer Kindy invited the DFO personnel to join the team in prayers. Although they didn't join, DFO officer Dave McConnell came out and talked with CPTers Siegers and Wright at the Neguac office. A Canadian woman from Burnt Church also joined the team at the Neguac DFO.

At the Neguac wharf three wharf personnel became alarmed at the team's presence After chatting with CPTer Wright they eventually allowed the team to have its vigil beside the DFO vessel. At the Neguac Catholic Church a man driving by stopped in and affirmed CPT for its justice initiatives. "It's time for justice," he said in English. "Economic conditions are hard for many people and a small number of white fishers have a monopoly on the area's riches."

In the evening Kindy had a conversation with an esgenoopetitj fisher who credited his faith in Jesus and his responsibility for future generations for his focus in this struggle. Later CPTer Wright had a long conversation with community woman who talked about the challenges of schooling her children in the white community and about family dynamics-including the complications of having local white in-laws.

Saturday, June 24, 2000
The DFO arrived at 9:40 am and made several passes in the usual manner. The community watched with little interest since all their traps had already been confiscated.

A woman from Burnt Church visited CPTer Siegers who was on watch at the tent trailer. Later that evening, the new recruit "Billy", arrived to do watch while the team went to worship at the Catholic church in Baie Ste. Anne the next day.

Sunday, June 25
The team worshipped at Baie Ste. Anne. It was a formal Catholic service (French) but those who could understand the service noted that gender neutral language was used. After the service everyone went home immediately without any social interaction. CPTer Kindy introduced himself to the priest who noted that he was aware of and glad for the team's presence at esgeno'petitj.

In the afternoon, the team joined a party given by a community member for her daughter's graduation. Conversations were conducted in three languages: Mi'kmaq, French and English. The team noticed a lot of concern expressed about the fall fishery. People at the party saw a need for more personnel, people willing to get into the boats to take pictures as well as for an international presence. "Billy," the new recruit, was also the topic of several conversations. He resembled CPTer Siegers so much that several people spoke to him before they realized that he was a dummy.

Monday, June 26
The team started breaking camp. Siegers talked to Jocelyne Allard of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's French service about a possible documentary on CPT. CPTer Benno Barg assisted a family in installing a new pool liner.

Tuesday, June 27
Packing and breaking camp continued. CPTer Wright was on watch in the morning. She noted an exchange of views as a woman from Burnt church and another from esgenoopetitj joined her. The first implied that the reserve children were not properly nourished, because they were eating hot dogs and ice cream. The second woman was visibly insulted by this remark. The first, in turn, was disappointed by this apparent lack of gratitude.

About 2:30 the DFO made another pass in front of Esgeno' petitj but the community failed to get excited. CPTer Siegers had another conversation with Jocelyne Allard but no decisions were made with regards to the possibility of a documentary in August. In the evening the team went to Tabusintac to check out the wharf since this location is also one involved in the fishing dispute.

Wednesday, June 28
A community man reported that he had seen the DFO pick up another 15 traps. A woman stopped by at the trailer with a newspaper clipping reporting that the Federal Government is giving large amounts of money for wharf improvements at Tabusintac and Baie Ste. Anne, already large and improved wharfs. It was pointed out that Burnt Church would not get any funds because of the problems between the white fishers and the aboriginal fishers. Another newspaper report quoted Bob Aislin from DFO threatening to lay charges re June 12 unless the band begins "negotiations".
_________________________________________________
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an initiative among Mennonite and Brethren congregations, and Friends meetings who support violence reduction Teams around the world. Contact CPT at P.O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680 USA; Tel: 312-455-1199; Fax: 312-432-1213; e-mail: CPT@igc.org To join CPTNET send an e-mail to admin@MennoLink.org and the message: Group: menno.org.cpt.news

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		Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives CPTNET July 7, 2000 ESGENO' PETITJ (BURNT CHURCH), NEW BRUNSWICK UPDATE: June 13-28, 2000 Tuesday, June 13 At 3:30 p.m. a federal Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) boat arrived and began cruising the bay. School had just gotten out and several community children stood on the shore yelling, "They're going to steal our traps. Somebody stop them." Four community boats responded with CPTers Chris Buhler and Cliff Kindy as observers. At 7 p.m. the DFO spotter plane made a low run along the entire bayshore. Wednesday, June 14 Although the community expected another raid they decided not to respond to such provocation but instead film the operation from shore and allow the DFO to confiscate the remaining traps in the water. No raid occurred. Thursday, June 15 CPTer Lena Siegers represented CPTer Bob Holmes at his court hearing to set trial date. A backup trial date was set for November 30th, 2000, if he does not receive the same judgment as William Payne on August 31. CPTers Buhler, Siegers, Jane Wright and someone from the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) spent 3 hours with DFO Regional Director Bob Allain. They returned disappointed with his response to concerns raised by the group and with his apparent unwillingness or inability to understand the treaty rights of the esgenopetitj people. Friday, June 16 The community was concerned that the DFO would try to confiscate the "Trophy boat" and made plans to thwart this. A DFO pickup was observed checking traps on shore. Saturday, June 17 Approximately 8:30 am a DFO boat was spotted. Two dories went out and two persons prepared the Trophy boat. The DFO boat was doing a sail by. The community suspected they were there to learn about the Trophy boat and then serve as a lure to pull out the dories in the hope of documenting some infraction. The DFO pulled one trap. A community person told them it was community property. Shortly thereafter two community groups put out seven traps with toys and messages prepared yesterday by the women and children. The Moncton _Telegraph-Journal_ later carried the story of how the community had put the toys and messages in the lobster traps to appeal to the hearts of the DFO officers. The story and picture of community member Martina Parker ran on the front page. Sunday, June 18 CPTers Siegers, Wright, and Heather St. James-Perry attended the local United Church. The service was followed by a potuck for the minister, Dan Kirkegaard, who is leaving the parish. Rev. Kirkegaard was instrumental in setting up community dialogues. James Ward, a local band member started a 4-5 day fast with a sweat. CPTer Kindy loaned a community member Walter Wink's "Peace is the Way". Around 12:40 the DFO boat arrived out of the east, staying about 50 minutes. The team then participated in their second potluck of the day in the community. People seemed concerned about what the band council was going to do in regard to signing an interim DFO agreement. Monday, June 19 About mid morning Louis Breau (DFO) drove into the reserve near the watch tent trailer and began asking CPTer Kindy questions about the June 12th confrontation on the water. Kindy requested that someone from the community accompany him to witness the conversation. Breau mistakenly thought that Kindy was in one of the boats that day. Other than identifying one or two CPTers, Kindy was not able to answer Breau's questions. Band members later suggested it would have been more appropriate for the team to insist that members would only speak to DFO officers off the reserve since the DFO is technically not allowed to be on the reserve, and speaking with them there might legitimate their conduct. CPT later contacted the DFO to ascertain with what authority Breau was investigating an incident in which he himself had participated. DFO's Allain assured the team that Breau did have the authority to investigate the incident even though he was one of the people involved in it. Allain indicated that DFO officers do this routinely. In the afternoon, two unknown vessels were observed possibly tampering with the traps. After several stops they left appearing to head for Neguac. CPTers Siegers, Kindy and St. James-Perry were asked to go to Neguac to try to identify the vessels but they could not locate them. Wednesday, June 21 CPT was invited to participate in a march commemorating Aboriginal Day. The march was followed by a community picnic replete with hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks as well as fresh popcorn made on site by CPTers Siegers and Kindy. Thursday, June 22 An ARC member was on watch and joined the team for worship. CPTers Siegers and Wright went to Baie St. Anne to check things out. They talked to fishermen who denied the trouble that had taken place in the fall, and to a woman who knew all about it and was very sorry for the native people. She knew a lot of the people who went out to cut traps and did not approve. There are many poachers in the area but the DFO does not bother them, she said. This season has been a very profitable for lobster fishing. Kindy participated in a "sweat" related to James Ward's fast. Friday, June 23 The DFO appeared out of the mist at approximately 5:10 a.m. with three boats. They made a quick swoop, appearing to taunt the community into chasing them but the community did not follow. Community members asked CPT to go to the wharf at Neguac to see whether traps had been taken. CPTers Kindy and St. James-Perry responded and counted ten traps taken (DFO later reported twelve.) At the docks they counted eight DFO pickup trucks and a police cruiser. According to a community member, Aboriginal peoples represent 5% of the Maritime region's population yet they plan to set less than 1% of the traps Canada currently permits. In the afternoon, CPT ers conducted a prayer pilgrimage at various DFO and other sites, praying, reading a litany and holding a banner "Honour The Treaties". At the DFO offices, in Tracadie and Neguac, CPTer Kindy invited the DFO personnel to join the team in prayers. Although they didn't join, DFO officer Dave McConnell came out and talked with CPTers Siegers and Wright at the Neguac office. A Canadian woman from Burnt Church also joined the team at the Neguac DFO. At the Neguac wharf three wharf personnel became alarmed at the team's presence After chatting with CPTer Wright they eventually allowed the team to have its vigil beside the DFO vessel. At the Neguac Catholic Church a man driving by stopped in and affirmed CPT for its justice initiatives. "It's time for justice," he said in English. "Economic conditions are hard for many people and a small number of white fishers have a monopoly on the area's riches." In the evening Kindy had a conversation with an esgenoopetitj fisher who credited his faith in Jesus and his responsibility for future generations for his focus in this struggle. Later CPTer Wright had a long conversation with community woman who talked about the challenges of schooling her children in the white community and about family dynamics-including the complications of having local white in-laws. Saturday, June 24, 2000 The DFO arrived at 9:40 am and made several passes in the usual manner. The community watched with little interest since all their traps had already been confiscated. A woman from Burnt Church visited CPTer Siegers who was on watch at the tent trailer. Later that evening, the new recruit "Billy", arrived to do watch while the team went to worship at the Catholic church in Baie Ste. Anne the next day. Sunday, June 25 The team worshipped at Baie Ste. Anne. It was a formal Catholic service (French) but those who could understand the service noted that gender neutral language was used. After the service everyone went home immediately without any social interaction. CPTer Kindy introduced himself to the priest who noted that he was aware of and glad for the team's presence at esgeno'petitj. In the afternoon, the team joined a party given by a community member for her daughter's graduation. Conversations were conducted in three languages: Mi'kmaq, French and English. The team noticed a lot of concern expressed about the fall fishery. People at the party saw a need for more personnel, people willing to get into the boats to take pictures as well as for an international presence. "Billy," the new recruit, was also the topic of several conversations. He resembled CPTer Siegers so much that several people spoke to him before they realized that he was a dummy. Monday, June 26 The team started breaking camp. Siegers talked to Jocelyne Allard of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's French service about a possible documentary on CPT. CPTer Benno Barg assisted a family in installing a new pool liner. Tuesday, June 27 Packing and breaking camp continued. CPTer Wright was on watch in the morning. She noted an exchange of views as a woman from Burnt church and another from esgenoopetitj joined her. The first implied that the reserve children were not properly nourished, because they were eating hot dogs and ice cream. The second woman was visibly insulted by this remark. The first, in turn, was disappointed by this apparent lack of gratitude. About 2:30 the DFO made another pass in front of Esgeno' petitj but the community failed to get excited. CPTer Siegers had another conversation with Jocelyne Allard but no decisions were made with regards to the possibility of a documentary in August. In the evening the team went to Tabusintac to check out the wharf since this location is also one involved in the fishing dispute. Wednesday, June 28 A community man reported that he had seen the DFO pick up another 15 traps. A woman stopped by at the trailer with a newspaper clipping reporting that the Federal Government is giving large amounts of money for wharf improvements at Tabusintac and Baie Ste. Anne, already large and improved wharfs. It was pointed out that Burnt Church would not get any funds because of the problems between the white fishers and the aboriginal fishers. Another newspaper report quoted Bob Aislin from DFO threatening to lay charges re June 12 unless the band begins "negotiations". _________________________________________________ Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an initiative among Mennonite and Brethren congregations, and Friends meetings who support violence reduction Teams around the world. Contact CPT at P.O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680 USA; Tel: 312-455-1199; Fax: 312-432-1213; e-mail: CPT@igc.org To join CPTNET send an e-mail to admin@MennoLink.org and the message: Group: menno.org.cpt.news Visit us on the WEB: http://www.prairienet.org/cpt