Burnt Church-20001/11/21-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTnet
November 21, 2000
ESGENOOPETITJ UPDATE: October 1 - 31, 2000

Sunday, October 1 - Treaty Day
Many people attended Treaty Day from across Canada and the USA. The whole community gathered for a sunrise service, parade, Catholic Mass, speeches, a feast and music. CPTers, in their red hats, joined the parade. Ovide Mercredi (former National Chief), and several chiefs and grand chiefs focussed their speeches on the broken treaties and Canada's broken promises. After the extreme tension of the past weeks, people were able to relax and have fun.

The Canadian government was still present though as two Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) boats appeared offshore at the start of the parade and a Coast Guard helicopter flew overhead at the end.

Monday, October 2
Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN) lobster fishers were out all day checking and setting traps. DFO and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) boats came in 3 times but retreated when confronted. A Coast Guard helicopter hovered low over the fishing boats all day and a DFO surveillance plane was overhead constantly.

Tuesday, October 3
DFO and RCMP boats appeared 3 times and may have pulled some traps the first time. A Coast Guard helicopter and DFO surveillance plane were overhead all day. A Korean film crew arrived to make a documentary.

Several fishers treated the team to a lobster feast and stories of Janet Shoemaker and William Payne's first visit last January and everything that CPT and EFN have gone through together since then.

Wednesday, October 4
Three DFO boats appeared for an hour but did not seem to take any traps. A new United Church pastor has finally arrived in Burnt Church, replacing Dan Kierkegaard who left in June. EFN folk have heard that she wants to continue the Community Dialogue Forum soon but may not be working with the Aboriginal community.

Thursday, October 5
Two DFO planes and the Coast Guard helicopter circled overhead much of the day but it was quiet on the waters. Rumours circulated that a major RCMP raid was imminent after tactical squads were spotted on land and more RCMP boats at the wharf.

Many people were in Neguac court for the hearing of charges against EFN folk. The scene was quite confused as the Crown had failed to provide disclosure documents. The defence lawyer therefore filed for discharges but the judge held the cases over to Oct. 19. Band councillor Brian Bartibogue's trial for "illegal fishing" on May 6 was set for 3 weeks starting Jan. 22, 2001. He was informed of a new charge of assault but had received no summons.

Friday, October 6
Planes and a helicopter flew overhead all day but it was quiet on the waters.

Saturday, October 7
EFN had decided that this would be the last day of lobster fishing for the year. Most fishers had already pulled their traps up. At 4 pm the Listiguj Rangers went out, with CPTer Jamey Bouwmeester as an observer, to pull a few more traps. The Rangers are fishing conservation officers from the Listiguj First Nation in Quebec who came to assist the EFN in patrolling the fishery.

Sunday, October 8
CPTers Nathan Bender and Jim Loney went to Mass at Baie Ste. Anne and then joined the rest of the team for a Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Isobelle Bartibogue. She provided CPT's campsite all year.

Later in the day, the Rangers, with CPT and Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) observers on board, removed all remaining lobster traps from the water without incident, much to everyone's relief. DFO boats and a helicopter hovered in the distance.

Tuesday, October 10
The team began a "Listening Project" in the non-Aboriginal community of Burnt Church. The goal was to learn more about and listen to the concerns of EFN's neighbours. Two CPTers were asked to help with writing and computer work at the EFN Band Office. Two fishers dropped by to express concern that national Aboriginal leaders are now pressuring EFN to sign DFO's "agreement".

Thursday, October 12
The Listening Project interviews continued along with work at the Band Office. Four government boats and a helicopter made an appearance close to shore even though they know that there are no traps left in the water.

Friday, October 13
The last of the Listening Project interviews occurred. In all, the team visited with 22 households. In general CPT found the Burnt Church community traumatized and angry at the Mi'kmaq Warriors, the outside observers (including CPT), the government, the police, and the media. Some people acknowledged the basic issues, but most described the conflict in very racist terms. Few seemed to have any social or other interaction with members of EFN. It became hard to listen to all this invective without responding directly.

Saturday, October 14
Miigam'agan invited the team to a ceremony and feast in honour of her father who died in February. This was followed by a very moving 2- hour talking circle.

Sunday, October 15
Three CPTers worshipped at the local United Church and met the new minister, Gay Smith. During the service, prayers were offered for peace in various conflicted areas of the world, but no mention was made of the immediate local conflict.

Monday, October 16
CPT was called to a conflict involving DFO and aboriginal people over salmon-fishing in the Tabusintac River, 20 km away. It turned out to be a false alarm. The team distributed a letter to the neighbours they met during the Listening Project summarizing what CPT had heard.

Tuesday, October 17
The DFO was present again with 2 boats. The lobster fishing ended 10 days ago. Lena Siegers and Christine Forand visited Big Cove First Nation, and met band councillors, fishers, and community members. Big Cove is about 100 km south of esgenoopetitj. It is the largest Mi'kmaq community and did sign an interim agreement with DFO.

Wednesday, October 18
Siegers and Forand found that some people in Big Cove were frustrated that, of the 50 boats promised by DFO as a benefit under the agreement, only 4 had so far been delivered. Big Cove folk said the band council had only signed because the band was so heavily in debt. They had also seen little of the lobster promised under their food fishery. There is a lot of suspicion of the government's "community based management" which folk say favours big corporate fishers over small inshore fishers. Other Big Cove folk say the DFO agreement is a beneficial long-term deal and will be renewed when it expires in March 2001.

Siegers and Forand also went to Bouctouche and met with a councillor for that small First Nation which also signed an agreement with DFO. He felt the agreement was beneficial and meant the community could survive.

Thursday, October 19
It was another day in Neguac court for the dozens of people charged so far by DFO with criminal and fisheries charges. Because of continuing confusion about lack of disclosure by the Crown and new charges unknown to the accused, it was all held over again until Nov. 16. Included in this were the "obstruction" charges laid against 6 EFN members and CPT Canada Coordinator Doug Pritchard relating to June 12 and now held over for the 4th time.

Friday, October 20
An EFN community leader dropped by CPT's camp and said "there would have been a lot more violence if CPT had not been here this year." He enjoyed meeting all of the CPTers and said they had changed his views somewhat about white people. However, he was confident the community's souls were safe because CPTers did not know their Bibles well enough to get them.

Sunday, October 22
Forand went to the United Church in Burnt Church and Gina Lepp went to the Catholic Mass at esgenoopetitj.

ARC had a final evaluation meeting with EFN as they ended their observer project. Some folk were vocal about not wanting them (or CPT) back, but most said these objectors were a minority who "had their own agenda".

There were rumours of violent encounters occurring between Warriors and DFO over salmon fishing on the Tabusintac River.

Monday, October 23
CPTers joined a small community group for prayer at a sacred fire on the reserve's Diggle Point. Then Siegers and Lepp drove 400 km southeast to Halifax, NS to join an evening Interfaith "Vigil for Peace on the Waters." The vigil gathering was quite small but intense.

Tuesday, October 24
Siegers and Lepp travelled to Indian Brook First Nation at Shubenacadie, NS. Indian Brook is the other large Mi'kmaq nation which did not sign a fishing agreement with DFO. As a result, they too suffered considerable violence at the hands of DFO and the RCMP on their fishing grounds in the south part of the Bay of Fundy. That evening the CPTers were invited to sit in on a meeting of community fishers as they revised their "Treaty Commercial Fishing Standards".

Wednesday, October 25
CPTers met with other fishers and community members at Indian Brook. One fisher said, "It was better before the Marshall decision. DFO and RCMP did not pay so much attention to what we do. Now they take our boats and don't even give us time to take our things off the boats. I lost everything."

At esgenoopetitj, the Coast Guard helicopter made low passes over the community all morning, non-stop. An RCMP cruiser has been driving around the community for the past several days. Children are upset by the continuing harassment and no one can relax.

Thursday, October 26
Siegers and Lepp continued visiting at Indian Brook, meeting people at a "sweat", the band office, the RCMP office, and the Catholic church on the reserve. The Catholic priest was reluctant to discuss any fishing issues. CPTers attended another meeting with the fishers working on their Fishing Standards.

Saturday, October 28
The team returned to esgenoopetitj from Indian Brook and began to close up camp. That night, 6 inches of snow fell. It was hard to say good-bye. People are pessimistic that anything will be resolved over the winter and so have asked CPT to return for the spring fishery.

_________________________________________________
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 November 21, 2000 ESGENOOPETITJ UPDATE: October 1 - 31, 2000 Sunday, October 1 - Treaty Day Many people attended Treaty Day from across Canada and the USA. The whole community gathered for a sunrise service, parade, Catholic Mass, speeches, a feast and music. CPTers, in their red hats, joined the parade. Ovide Mercredi (former National Chief), and several chiefs and grand chiefs focussed their speeches on the broken treaties and Canada's broken promises. After the extreme tension of the past weeks, people were able to relax and have fun. The Canadian government was still present though as two Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) boats appeared offshore at the start of the parade and a Coast Guard helicopter flew overhead at the end. Monday, October 2 Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN) lobster fishers were out all day checking and setting traps. DFO and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) boats came in 3 times but retreated when confronted. A Coast Guard helicopter hovered low over the fishing boats all day and a DFO surveillance plane was overhead constantly. Tuesday, October 3 DFO and RCMP boats appeared 3 times and may have pulled some traps the first time. A Coast Guard helicopter and DFO surveillance plane were overhead all day. A Korean film crew arrived to make a documentary. Several fishers treated the team to a lobster feast and stories of Janet Shoemaker and William Payne's first visit last January and everything that CPT and EFN have gone through together since then. Wednesday, October 4 Three DFO boats appeared for an hour but did not seem to take any traps. A new United Church pastor has finally arrived in Burnt Church, replacing Dan Kierkegaard who left in June. EFN folk have heard that she wants to continue the Community Dialogue Forum soon but may not be working with the Aboriginal community. Thursday, October 5 Two DFO planes and the Coast Guard helicopter circled overhead much of the day but it was quiet on the waters. Rumours circulated that a major RCMP raid was imminent after tactical squads were spotted on land and more RCMP boats at the wharf. Many people were in Neguac court for the hearing of charges against EFN folk. The scene was quite confused as the Crown had failed to provide disclosure documents. The defence lawyer therefore filed for discharges but the judge held the cases over to Oct. 19. Band councillor Brian Bartibogue's trial for "illegal fishing" on May 6 was set for 3 weeks starting Jan. 22, 2001. He was informed of a new charge of assault but had received no summons. Friday, October 6 Planes and a helicopter flew overhead all day but it was quiet on the waters. Saturday, October 7 EFN had decided that this would be the last day of lobster fishing for the year. Most fishers had already pulled their traps up. At 4 pm the Listiguj Rangers went out, with CPTer Jamey Bouwmeester as an observer, to pull a few more traps. The Rangers are fishing conservation officers from the Listiguj First Nation in Quebec who came to assist the EFN in patrolling the fishery. Sunday, October 8 CPTers Nathan Bender and Jim Loney went to Mass at Baie Ste. Anne and then joined the rest of the team for a Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Isobelle Bartibogue. She provided CPT's campsite all year. Later in the day, the Rangers, with CPT and Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) observers on board, removed all remaining lobster traps from the water without incident, much to everyone's relief. DFO boats and a helicopter hovered in the distance. Tuesday, October 10 The team began a "Listening Project" in the non-Aboriginal community of Burnt Church. The goal was to learn more about and listen to the concerns of EFN's neighbours. Two CPTers were asked to help with writing and computer work at the EFN Band Office. Two fishers dropped by to express concern that national Aboriginal leaders are now pressuring EFN to sign DFO's "agreement". Thursday, October 12 The Listening Project interviews continued along with work at the Band Office. Four government boats and a helicopter made an appearance close to shore even though they know that there are no traps left in the water. Friday, October 13 The last of the Listening Project interviews occurred. In all, the team visited with 22 households. In general CPT found the Burnt Church community traumatized and angry at the Mi'kmaq Warriors, the outside observers (including CPT), the government, the police, and the media. Some people acknowledged the basic issues, but most described the conflict in very racist terms. Few seemed to have any social or other interaction with members of EFN. It became hard to listen to all this invective without responding directly. Saturday, October 14 Miigam'agan invited the team to a ceremony and feast in honour of her father who died in February. This was followed by a very moving 2- hour talking circle. Sunday, October 15 Three CPTers worshipped at the local United Church and met the new minister, Gay Smith. During the service, prayers were offered for peace in various conflicted areas of the world, but no mention was made of the immediate local conflict. Monday, October 16 CPT was called to a conflict involving DFO and aboriginal people over salmon-fishing in the Tabusintac River, 20 km away. It turned out to be a false alarm. The team distributed a letter to the neighbours they met during the Listening Project summarizing what CPT had heard. Tuesday, October 17 The DFO was present again with 2 boats. The lobster fishing ended 10 days ago. Lena Siegers and Christine Forand visited Big Cove First Nation, and met band councillors, fishers, and community members. Big Cove is about 100 km south of esgenoopetitj. It is the largest Mi'kmaq community and did sign an interim agreement with DFO. Wednesday, October 18 Siegers and Forand found that some people in Big Cove were frustrated that, of the 50 boats promised by DFO as a benefit under the agreement, only 4 had so far been delivered. Big Cove folk said the band council had only signed because the band was so heavily in debt. They had also seen little of the lobster promised under their food fishery. There is a lot of suspicion of the government's "community based management" which folk say favours big corporate fishers over small inshore fishers. Other Big Cove folk say the DFO agreement is a beneficial long-term deal and will be renewed when it expires in March 2001. Siegers and Forand also went to Bouctouche and met with a councillor for that small First Nation which also signed an agreement with DFO. He felt the agreement was beneficial and meant the community could survive. Thursday, October 19 It was another day in Neguac court for the dozens of people charged so far by DFO with criminal and fisheries charges. Because of continuing confusion about lack of disclosure by the Crown and new charges unknown to the accused, it was all held over again until Nov. 16. Included in this were the "obstruction" charges laid against 6 EFN members and CPT Canada Coordinator Doug Pritchard relating to June 12 and now held over for the 4th time. Friday, October 20 An EFN community leader dropped by CPT's camp and said "there would have been a lot more violence if CPT had not been here this year." He enjoyed meeting all of the CPTers and said they had changed his views somewhat about white people. However, he was confident the community's souls were safe because CPTers did not know their Bibles well enough to get them. Sunday, October 22 Forand went to the United Church in Burnt Church and Gina Lepp went to the Catholic Mass at esgenoopetitj. ARC had a final evaluation meeting with EFN as they ended their observer project. Some folk were vocal about not wanting them (or CPT) back, but most said these objectors were a minority who "had their own agenda". There were rumours of violent encounters occurring between Warriors and DFO over salmon fishing on the Tabusintac River. Monday, October 23 CPTers joined a small community group for prayer at a sacred fire on the reserve's Diggle Point. Then Siegers and Lepp drove 400 km southeast to Halifax, NS to join an evening Interfaith "Vigil for Peace on the Waters." The vigil gathering was quite small but intense. Tuesday, October 24 Siegers and Lepp travelled to Indian Brook First Nation at Shubenacadie, NS. Indian Brook is the other large Mi'kmaq nation which did not sign a fishing agreement with DFO. As a result, they too suffered considerable violence at the hands of DFO and the RCMP on their fishing grounds in the south part of the Bay of Fundy. That evening the CPTers were invited to sit in on a meeting of community fishers as they revised their "Treaty Commercial Fishing Standards". Wednesday, October 25 CPTers met with other fishers and community members at Indian Brook. One fisher said, "It was better before the Marshall decision. DFO and RCMP did not pay so much attention to what we do. Now they take our boats and don't even give us time to take our things off the boats. I lost everything." At esgenoopetitj, the Coast Guard helicopter made low passes over the community all morning, non-stop. An RCMP cruiser has been driving around the community for the past several days. Children are upset by the continuing harassment and no one can relax. Thursday, October 26 Siegers and Lepp continued visiting at Indian Brook, meeting people at a "sweat", the band office, the RCMP office, and the Catholic church on the reserve. The Catholic priest was reluctant to discuss any fishing issues. CPTers attended another meeting with the fishers working on their Fishing Standards. Saturday, October 28 The team returned to esgenoopetitj from Indian Brook and began to close up camp. That night, 6 inches of snow fell. It was hard to say good-bye. People are pessimistic that anything will be resolved over the winter and so have asked CPT to return for the spring fishery. _________________________________________________ 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/