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Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives CPTnet Early Tuesday morning, around 20 Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) boats entered the Miramichi Bay in front of Esgeno'petitj First Nation (EFN) , seized lobster traps and attacked EFN fishers. The expected assault followed the break-down of talks between the DFO and Esgenoopetitj First Nation. The flotilla of vessels included several boats occupied by RCMP in full riot gear, including helmets and assault rifles. Members of Esgeno'petitj went out in their own boats to confront the DFO and protect their lobster traps. Present on the EFN boats were four observers, including two Christian Peacemaker Team members, who documented the activity with digital photographs and video footage. The DFO/RCMP flotilla retreated after more than an hour of confrontation between EFN and DFO boats, during which one DFO officer was injured by a flying rock thrown by an EFN member. In another corner of the bay where there were no observers, two EFN fishers were surrounded by DFO boats. One DFO boat rammed and ran over them, knocking one of the fishermen in the head and nearly sinking the small boat. DFO officials arrested the two fishermen on charges of illegal fishing and resisting arrest. They were taken to Neguac where they were handed over to the RCMP, charged, and later released. On Friday, August 18, the two parties had agreed to a three-day respite, in which the native fishers would be allowed to fish unmolested by the DFO within a designated boundary until talks resumed Tuesday morning. However, once the fishing began in earnest, the government began changing the rules by presenting a map showing the boundary lines encompassing a much smaller area. The DFO also protested the number of traps set by native fishers, although they admitted that there was no limit given in the initial talks. The band's refusal to capitulate to the DFO change in strategy resulted in the government's refusal to continue the talks. The Canadian courts and constitution have recognized the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century treaties signed between the Mi'kmaq nation and Britain as valid. As such, the Canadian government is obligated to negotiate with Esgenoopetitj First Nation on a nation-to-nation basis. The DFO's current attempts to interfere with the First Nations' efforts to make a livelihood from the fishery is a violation of those treaties. The Canadian government also has violated international law by contravening the stipulations of the 1969 Vienna Convention on International Treaties which states that all nations must honour and fulfill any treaties they have signed with international neighbours. The call for urgent action: Please notify DFO Minister Herb Daliwahl, the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and DFO officials that you are aware of the situation in Esgeno'petitj. Call for an end to the aggressive behaviour of the DFO and the disrespectful and manipulative methods the Canadian government is using to force native fishers out of the water. Remind them that Canada is bound by international law and its own treaties to dialogue in good faith with the people of EFN on a nation-to-nation basis. Demand that fair and respectful talks be resumed until an agreement is reached that is acceptable to both parties. Canadians should send a copy of the letter to their own MP so that he/she is aware of your interest in this situation.
Whom to contact: Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien (Prime Minister)
Raoul Breault (Area Chief - DFO)
Robert Allain (Area Director - DFO)
Jim MacKenzie (Chief Federal Representative - DFO)
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