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Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) ArchivesCPTNet by Doug Pritchard After many appearances and postponements, Canadian government officials finally got their charges against 30 Mi'kmaq lobster fishers from Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church NB) into court in Néguac NB on November 30, 2000. However, all Mi'kmaq persons present rejected the authority of Canadian courts over activities on their unceded territories and left the courtroom. Before leaving, Mi'kmaq translator Bernie Francis read a statement on behalf of fisher Martina Parker saying, "Your honour, I will not make a plea in this court. Under the Great Covenant Chain of Treaties and Agreements, including the Royal Proclamation of 1763, all of "New Brunswick" is unceded Mi'kmaq territory. With these Agreements, the Crown promised not to colonize, nor appropriate any Mi'kmaq territory without the full consent of the Mi'kmaq Nation... "Canada violates our rights to be our own nation. Canada is violating this trust by trespassing into our waters, seizing our property, brutalizing and arresting Mi'kmaq citizens in lawful pursuit of their livelihood. These are unprovoked acts of aggression by an invading force... "I will not participate any further by entering a plea in this court of Canada and I call on my nation to address these violations against our authority by this court's government." After those charged left the courtroom, the judge entered pleas of "not guilty" for them, but has yet to set trial dates. The Crown prosecutor then brought forward the charge of "obstruction" laid against CPT Canada Coordinator Doug Pritchard as a result of his June 12 videotaping of Canadian officals seizing Mi'kmaq lobster traps set in Miramichi Bay. Pritchard's representative Terrry Bartibogue entered a plea of "not guilty" and a trial was set for the week commencing Mar. 19, 2001 in Miramichi NB. This will follow the trial of CPTers William Payne and Bob Holmes set for the previous week commencing Mar. 12, 2001. They too were charged with "obstruction" when they attempted to recover traps seized by Canadian officials from Esgenoopetitj Band Councillor Brian Bartibogue on May 6.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Brethren, Quaker and Mennonite
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