Burnt Church-2000/10/05-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTNET
October 5, 2000
ESGENOOPETITJ UPDATE: September 1-14, 2000

Saturday, September 2
Fisheries Minister Herb Dahliwahl agreed to continue talks with the band. He dropped his condition that the band stop fishing. Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN) and the Assembly of First Nations gave suggestions for mediators.

Local non-native fishers renewed their threats to come into the bay and remove traps. The RCMP catamaran cruised the bay, presumably to keep them out.

Sunday, September 3
Lena Siegers and Joel Klassen attended the local United Chuch of Canada services. A woman in the congregation spoke of the pain that she and other members felt about a statement released earlier in the week by the UCC supporting the struggle in Burnt Church. Lena and Joel then attended the Catholic Church on the reserve where the priest addressed a letter also put out the previous week by four Catholic bishops in New Brunswick supporting Burnt Church. After reading the letter, the priest told the congregation that confrontation is not good and will get them nowhere.

In the afternoon, about twenty large non-native fishing boats came into the bay, the RCMP catamaran leading the way. Native fishers in several small boats went out to meet them. There was some verbal confrontation, but the non-native fishers eventually backed off and left at the encouragement of the RCMP.

Monday, September 4
There was a large rally at the band office to recognize those who have come here in support of the struggle. A long procession of cars drove through the reserve, up to Neguac, just short of the DFO office, and back to the learning center where speeches were given by guests and elders.

Tuesday, September 5
The government appointed Bob Rae, former premier of Ontario, as a mediator. The band's request for two mediators, one native, one non-native, which was originally agreed to, was denied. DFO continued to impose pre-conditions for mediation on the band.

Thursday, September 7
Minister Dahliwahl gave a press conference in Winnipeg in which he stated that the band was refusing to agree to a mediator. A community member informed us later that the government had originally agreed to two mediators, then changed their minds.

All of the natives who have been charged in this fishing dispute since June had their court hearings in the morning. Most cases were deferred to October 5, due to lack of lawyers. CPTer William Payne was denied a Mi'kmaq translator on the grounds that he is not a Mi'kmaq speaker. He will attempt to appeal the ruling. Band Councillor Brian Bartibogue asked for action to be taken to return his boat which was seized in the August 13 raid. The judged informed him that he would have to file an application, which would take 7 to 10 days.

A "Vision TV" crew (Canadian program on religion) arrived to film CPT's work in Burnt Church.

William and Lena attended a prayer meeting for peace in Miramichi. They met and introduced themselves to New Brunswick MP Charles Hubbard, but he refused to meet with them

Friday, September 8
The Atlantic Policy Congress chiefs met at the band's school, as an extension of their annual meeting in Halifax, to show support for the community's struggle. After the meeting, Chief Dedam announced that the community has reluctantly accepted one mediator, Bob Rae.

Sunday, September 10
Numerous DFO boats lurked around the islands several times during the day. Community leaders contacted Ovide Mercredi, the advisor to the National Chief, concerning the DFO harrassment. Mercredi called upon the deputy minister to give orders for no traps to be disturbed during the mediation process. There were rumours that non-native fishers might come into the bay again, but they did not.

Bob Rae came to the community to assess the situation and decide if he will accept the role of mediator.

Tuesday, September 12
In the a.m. the RCMP seized two fishing boats and arrested the occupants, including Wilbur Dedam, the chief of Esgenoopetitj. The police initially pointed guns at the fishers, until one person said, "That's the chief!" They quickly put away their weapons. A native ranger boat coming to the rescue was rammed twice and flipped over, its occupants dumped into the water. The EFN "Trophy" boat, used to monitor the native fishery, was also seized. (See press release of August 12.) Tracy Sinclair, an ARC observer, was on the ranger boat that flipped. An officer took her video camera, which contained footage of the incident, from her neck while her hands were cuffed behind her back, saying that it was her property and she would get it back. All later attempts to retrieve the camera failed.

William Payne and Joel Klassen drove to the Neguac wharf soon after the arrests, but were denied access by the RCMP.

William, Joel, and Pierre Shantz went to the police station in Tracadie where 14 of the 16 arrested were being held. Tracy and one Esgenoopetitj ranger were taken to Shippagan. Tracy was soon unhandcuffed and was told she would be transferred to Tracadie, but the ranger, who was still handcuffed, would not. She refused to leave until he was sent with her. She noticed several instances of how much better the RCMP treated her than they treated the native people arrested with her. All 16 were released by late afternoon.

Wednesday, September 13
In the late afternoon, Joel Klassen and Janet Shoemaker went to the DFO office in Tracadie with a group of about 30 women and children who demanded the return of their traps from the August 13 raid. Upon arrival, the chief's wife, Irene Dedam, asked for assistance in claiming their traps. The attendant said, "One minute, please," and disappeared. A half hour later, the RCMP showed up in force. After informing the officer that they just wanted assistance like any other human being, a DFO representative came out and told them that they would not be able to claim their traps here, but must go before a judge. The women informed them that the RCMP has consistently told them that they must come there to claim their traps, and refused to leave until given assistance. By 6:30 p.m., the DFO officers created a form which all the women and children filled out, claiming four traps each. They were told that within 30 days, there would be a court appearance for those who signed. DFO officer Raul Brealt, informed the media that this won't get their traps returned to them, but it will assist in the DFO's investigation against the "illegal" fishing at Burnt Church. The women took the forms home and had over 100 people sign them by the end of the day.
_______________________
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 October 5, 2000 ESGENOOPETITJ UPDATE: September 1-14, 2000 Saturday, September 2 Fisheries Minister Herb Dahliwahl agreed to continue talks with the band. He dropped his condition that the band stop fishing. Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN) and the Assembly of First Nations gave suggestions for mediators. Local non-native fishers renewed their threats to come into the bay and remove traps. The RCMP catamaran cruised the bay, presumably to keep them out. Sunday, September 3 Lena Siegers and Joel Klassen attended the local United Chuch of Canada services. A woman in the congregation spoke of the pain that she and other members felt about a statement released earlier in the week by the UCC supporting the struggle in Burnt Church. Lena and Joel then attended the Catholic Church on the reserve where the priest addressed a letter also put out the previous week by four Catholic bishops in New Brunswick supporting Burnt Church. After reading the letter, the priest told the congregation that confrontation is not good and will get them nowhere. In the afternoon, about twenty large non-native fishing boats came into the bay, the RCMP catamaran leading the way. Native fishers in several small boats went out to meet them. There was some verbal confrontation, but the non-native fishers eventually backed off and left at the encouragement of the RCMP. Monday, September 4 There was a large rally at the band office to recognize those who have come here in support of the struggle. A long procession of cars drove through the reserve, up to Neguac, just short of the DFO office, and back to the learning center where speeches were given by guests and elders. Tuesday, September 5 The government appointed Bob Rae, former premier of Ontario, as a mediator. The band's request for two mediators, one native, one non-native, which was originally agreed to, was denied. DFO continued to impose pre-conditions for mediation on the band. Thursday, September 7 Minister Dahliwahl gave a press conference in Winnipeg in which he stated that the band was refusing to agree to a mediator. A community member informed us later that the government had originally agreed to two mediators, then changed their minds. All of the natives who have been charged in this fishing dispute since June had their court hearings in the morning. Most cases were deferred to October 5, due to lack of lawyers. CPTer William Payne was denied a Mi'kmaq translator on the grounds that he is not a Mi'kmaq speaker. He will attempt to appeal the ruling. Band Councillor Brian Bartibogue asked for action to be taken to return his boat which was seized in the August 13 raid. The judged informed him that he would have to file an application, which would take 7 to 10 days. A "Vision TV" crew (Canadian program on religion) arrived to film CPT's work in Burnt Church. William and Lena attended a prayer meeting for peace in Miramichi. They met and introduced themselves to New Brunswick MP Charles Hubbard, but he refused to meet with them Friday, September 8 The Atlantic Policy Congress chiefs met at the band's school, as an extension of their annual meeting in Halifax, to show support for the community's struggle. After the meeting, Chief Dedam announced that the community has reluctantly accepted one mediator, Bob Rae. Sunday, September 10 Numerous DFO boats lurked around the islands several times during the day. Community leaders contacted Ovide Mercredi, the advisor to the National Chief, concerning the DFO harrassment. Mercredi called upon the deputy minister to give orders for no traps to be disturbed during the mediation process. There were rumours that non-native fishers might come into the bay again, but they did not. Bob Rae came to the community to assess the situation and decide if he will accept the role of mediator. Tuesday, September 12 In the a.m. the RCMP seized two fishing boats and arrested the occupants, including Wilbur Dedam, the chief of Esgenoopetitj. The police initially pointed guns at the fishers, until one person said, "That's the chief!" They quickly put away their weapons. A native ranger boat coming to the rescue was rammed twice and flipped over, its occupants dumped into the water. The EFN "Trophy" boat, used to monitor the native fishery, was also seized. (See press release of August 12.) Tracy Sinclair, an ARC observer, was on the ranger boat that flipped. An officer took her video camera, which contained footage of the incident, from her neck while her hands were cuffed behind her back, saying that it was her property and she would get it back. All later attempts to retrieve the camera failed. William Payne and Joel Klassen drove to the Neguac wharf soon after the arrests, but were denied access by the RCMP. William, Joel, and Pierre Shantz went to the police station in Tracadie where 14 of the 16 arrested were being held. Tracy and one Esgenoopetitj ranger were taken to Shippagan. Tracy was soon unhandcuffed and was told she would be transferred to Tracadie, but the ranger, who was still handcuffed, would not. She refused to leave until he was sent with her. She noticed several instances of how much better the RCMP treated her than they treated the native people arrested with her. All 16 were released by late afternoon. Wednesday, September 13 In the late afternoon, Joel Klassen and Janet Shoemaker went to the DFO office in Tracadie with a group of about 30 women and children who demanded the return of their traps from the August 13 raid. Upon arrival, the chief's wife, Irene Dedam, asked for assistance in claiming their traps. The attendant said, "One minute, please," and disappeared. A half hour later, the RCMP showed up in force. After informing the officer that they just wanted assistance like any other human being, a DFO representative came out and told them that they would not be able to claim their traps here, but must go before a judge. The women informed them that the RCMP has consistently told them that they must come there to claim their traps, and refused to leave until given assistance. By 6:30 p.m., the DFO officers created a form which all the women and children filled out, claiming four traps each. They were told that within 30 days, there would be a court appearance for those who signed. DFO officer Raul Brealt, informed the media that this won't get their traps returned to them, but it will assist in the DFO's investigation against the "illegal" fishing at Burnt Church. The women took the forms home and had over 100 people sign them by the end of the day. _______________________ 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/