Burnt Church-2000/09/23-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTnet
September 23, 2000
ESGENOOPETITJ Urgent Action: Fishery under threat

At 11:00am on Friday morning several hundred members of the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation (EFN) prayed at the shore of Miramichi Bay along with their supporters from across Canada. Community elders gave blessings and offered tobacco; the entire gathered assembly joined hands and sang the Mi'qmac honor song.

The prayer ceremony took place against a backdrop of potential violence. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had set 11:00am Atlantic TIme as the deadline for EFN fishers to have all of their lobster traps out of the water. Herb Dahliwal, head of the DFO, continued to threaten the use of force, insisting that the DFO would remove the traps if native fishers did not. The Canadian army has been put on standby and could raid or blockade the community at any time.

With the possibility of imminent violence here, the Esgenoôpetitj community and elders have asked Christian Peacemaker Teams to send this urgent action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

--The community is requesting volunteers to act as third party observers. The local gymnasium is being cleared for sleeping space and meals will be provided. If you can come, bring sleeping gear and any personal items you will need. For more info, contact the CPT Esgenoôpetitj team at 1-506-779-5886

--Contact the Canadian officials below and express your concern about the
excessive force that the DFO has been using and has threatened to use in this dispute. Let the officials know that you are following the situation and express your desire that it be resolved peacefully.

WHOM TO CONTACT:

--Ottawa Command Center
613/993-4970
ask for Burnt Church Fishery

-- Wayne Wouters, Deputy Minister of Fisheries
tel 613/236-5265
fax 506/773-5416

-- Jim Jones, Regional DFO Head
tel - 506/773-5412
fax - 606/851-9536
______________________
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 September 23, 2000 ESGENOOPETITJ Urgent Action: Fishery under threat At 11:00am on Friday morning several hundred members of the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation (EFN) prayed at the shore of Miramichi Bay along with their supporters from across Canada. Community elders gave blessings and offered tobacco; the entire gathered assembly joined hands and sang the Mi'qmac honor song. The prayer ceremony took place against a backdrop of potential violence. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had set 11:00am Atlantic TIme as the deadline for EFN fishers to have all of their lobster traps out of the water. Herb Dahliwal, head of the DFO, continued to threaten the use of force, insisting that the DFO would remove the traps if native fishers did not. The Canadian army has been put on standby and could raid or blockade the community at any time. With the possibility of imminent violence here, the Esgenoôpetitj community and elders have asked Christian Peacemaker Teams to send this urgent action. WHAT YOU CAN DO: --The community is requesting volunteers to act as third party observers. The local gymnasium is being cleared for sleeping space and meals will be provided. If you can come, bring sleeping gear and any personal items you will need. For more info, contact the CPT Esgenoôpetitj team at 1-506-779-5886 --Contact the Canadian officials below and express your concern about the excessive force that the DFO has been using and has threatened to use in this dispute. Let the officials know that you are following the situation and express your desire that it be resolved peacefully. WHOM TO CONTACT: --Ottawa Command Center 613/993-4970 ask for Burnt Church Fishery -- Wayne Wouters, Deputy Minister of Fisheries tel 613/236-5265 fax 506/773-5416 -- Jim Jones, Regional DFO Head tel - 506/773-5412 fax - 606/851-9536 ______________________ 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/