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Responses in Opposition to First Nation Activities at Burnt Church (E-mail responses taken and adapted from the CBC site Indepth: Fishing Fury /Your Space) There are many others who feel as you do, but live each day in too much fear to be able to express their options. I know this because I have experienced first hand the horrible details of this issue. Not being allowed out after dark for fear of being hurt or harassed. My family has had property destroyed, and verbal threats made towards us. My whole town lives like a town under siege, living every day in fear. I am from Burnt Church, where the worst of the events are happening. I am a native Canadian, not aboriginal, and I deserve to live my life as much as any one else. It's time Canadians stand up together and say enough is enough. Why the double standard? Why should we pay the aboriginal peoples because of their race? They say we are racist, yet because of their race they believe they can do as they wish, regardless of what the government says. To all of you out there who think you deserve special privileges, remember that thought when there are no longer any Atlantic lobster for you to eat. These people have new cars, their children wear fubu and Tommy clothes, and they get large checks every month from a very young age. All of them are able to attend university for free, yet only a small number ever do. If you were garmented to get a lot of money every month would you really want to work for it? The aboriginals who are causing the problems (not many are, only a select few families) are spoiled kids who think throwing a fit will get them their way. The government should be ashamed of what they have done to these people by treating them like babies. You say they need to fish to live. What about the commercial fishermen, whose only income comes from the lobster fishery? I am currently a university student, with the over fishing we have already seen a big reduction in undersize lobsters. No undersize equals no big ones in the future. How will I be able to attend university? How will my parents provide for themselves and my family? How I ask, when the commercial fishery collapses? What would you do if everything you knew was suddenly in danger of being taken away? Would you sit by and let your world fall apart? Think about it. Jill E. Cassidy
When all the lobster are gone, what will the honorable natives kill next? If these lobster are for their own consumption, they must eat lobster three meals a day. When did warriors trade in their feathers for bandanas? Allan Savoy
I support Mr. Dhaliwal's position, and hope he is able to carry through with his idea of regulating the Mi'kmaq lobster fishermen. The natives of Canada should all have to abide by the same rules as the rest of Canadians, in all our natural resources, or there will not be any resources left for anyone. We have a similar situation here in Manitoba, in that the natives are gill-netting walleye in the spring, as they try to get up the river to spawn, they are in concentrated numbers and so are very easy to gill-net, all you have to do is string your net across the river, and you have a very easy harvest, but these Walleye are trying to get up the river to replenish their species and are loaded with spawn. These natives are not regulated what-so-ever, and when you try and talk to them, they all say it is our treaty right to fish when ever they want. They are only suppose to take as much as they need to feed their families, but there is no way that any reserve can eat as much fish as they are taking. The pleasure fishermen are not allowed to fish at that time of the year, nor are the non-native commercial fishermen. I hope for all our sakes that someone is able to establish laws for the natives before it is to late. Ray Pike
Laws are being broken. Send in the RCMP, navy and army to enforce the laws. Jack Sheedy
How long will my generation have to pay for the mistakes the English made when they established Canada? Regardless of any treaty, or any tradition passed from father to son, the preservation of our natural resources is crucial to our survival as a nation. What ever happened to the native parable: "Who can own a tree? Who can own a rock?" Well, we do now. It's time we stopped renting it from the natives and begin to run our country on our own terms. Generation-X
Burnt Church appears ready to boil over, with insistance by it's citizens that they are above the law. The tactics adopted by the natives of Burnt Church, and the racism shown by the Mohawk band council of Kahnawake in urging non-natives to "vacate our territory immediately" may be gaining support amongst the First Nations people. It may also cause a loss of support from the Canadian citizens that have raised their voice in support of native causes – resulting in less political will to resolve their issues. Emile Paul
If DFO won't take all the traps out of the water, what's stopping the white fisherman from setting ours? After all, we are all Canadians, and should be governed by the same laws. Ya, ya, ya, the treaty… Well, the funny thing is, when it was signed the natives didn't know what a lobster was, so why is our government handing this right to them along with boats and money for gear? No white fisherman was given that option. Talk about racism! Until we are all treated the same, the racism will continue. One more thought, if those native fisherman were white commercial fisherman, boats, vehicles and gear would all have been seized a long time ago and fishermen would be answering to the courts. Racism? Sure sounds like it to me! Dwayne Huskins
A Mi'kmaq native band in LaHave N.S. signed the 1760 treaty which stated that they were to trade only at truck houses designated by King George the IV, now the Crown. Natives are entitled to a moderate livelihood. Some natives are making literally thousands of dollars per day, tax free, with no expenses (ie boats licence, etc). For example, Leo Paul of Indian Brook was caught fishing snow crab in a closed zone in Feb. 2000. His catch of a few days was sold by DFO for $17,000. Recently a handful of natives had their payment of $48,000 stopped by DFO due to the illegal fishing of snow crab. These examples were reported in The Cronicle Herald. There is undoubtably countless other examples of natives' financial greed making well-over a moderate livelihood that did not make the news. DFO has the right to regulate as stated in the Supreme Court's decision: "It has frequently been said that rights do not exist in a vacum, and that the rights of one individual or group are necessarily limited by the rights of another. Absolute freedom in the exercise of even a charter or constitutionally-guaranteed aboriginal right has never been accepted, nor was it intended. Absolute freedom without any restriction necessarily infers a freedom to live without any laws." Significant commercial trading of natural resources by natives is a product of European settlement. Prior to european arrival natives took only what they needed. Dispite its age, the treaty of 1760 is legally recognized although natives of today have divorced themselves of their old take only what you need values. The Marshall Decision is discriminatory to all non-natives under section 15 of the charter of rights: "(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. Some may argue that subsection (2) validates the Marshall decision but actually it does not. "(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability." Subsection 2 is quashed since 1) individual natives make life decisions that forseeably will lead to a disadvantaged lifestyle (ie dropping out of school). 2) The amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged natives will be at the expense of existing commercial fishermen, ie natives with their own regulations. If a non-native dropped out of school, smoked drugs, drank, and didn't work, they would not generate societal sympathy and neither should natives. Fisheries officers that rammed the native boat used reasonable force considering they were trying to avoid rocks thrown by the natives. Remember, a rock hit a fisheries officer in the face and he required reconstructive surgery. The fishery should not bear the damaging ecological effects required to change natives' disadvantaged situation. They should try and earn a living like most Canadians. Any conservation plan created by a renagade native band has money and greed as a priority. They have attempted to make up for all the years of absence from the fishery. Their plans were made in absence of scientific data and their "restrictions" allow for a higher catch than DFO would allow. Natives discredit DFO's managment track record then set seasons and catch limits higher than DFO believes to be sustainable. Chris VanSlyke
My solution to the fishing problem at Burnt Church. I think it's time to take the gloves off with these renegade Indians at Burnt Church. They are making a mockery of the justice system, continually breaking the law while our Prime Minister sits on his hands and does nothing. Herb Dhaliwal must take the appropriate action, right now, to correct the blatant massacre of our lucrative fishing grounds by these outlaw Indians. My solution to this mess? Send in the troops and clean out all of the renegades that are flaunting the Marshall Decision in the face of the law. Arrest every native and/or non-native fisher that is presently breaking the law, put them in jail, do NOT give them bail, try them in a duly constituted court of law, give the proper jail sentences to all concerned, patrol the area on a continual basis, indefinitely if necessary, and take back the lawful control of the fishery. No tribe, group, or any other segment should have the power to hold the laws of the country up for ransom. This "has-been," Ovide Mercredi, is nothing but a trouble-maker, and should be tried along with the other perpetrators and given the same sentence. He is an instigator from way back and is living off the trial and tribulations of the Indian reserve hype. If he, and a few more rebel-rousers were removed from the reservation on a permanent basis, the remainder of the tribe would buckle down and be thankful for the wonderful opportunity they have within the fishing industry, and would thank Ottawa for their good foutunes. I say, It's past time for talking. If we need the army in place to handle the situation, then do it. Trudeau knew how to handle renegades who threatened the very fibre of our country, Chretien must stand up and be counted among men. Rae Matchett
Why is there one law for the natives and another for the non-native lobster fishers? The natives continue to brake the law and laugh at us. For how long? Aaron Kfir
I believe that the "so-called Marshal decision" applies only to those natural resources which were part of natives' lives at the time the centuries-old treaties were signed. Natives were certainly not fishing lobster in those days! Walter Albert
Enough of this double standard! The natives don't live in huts. They live in our modern society with all the conveniences. Quit pandering to them! This guilt trip is crap. How am I responsible for some native's great, great grandfather who screwed himself out of his land in the 1800's? They should abide by the same rules as the rest of us. Brian Kitchen
So I sit down with my morning cup of tea and decide to try and see what is new with the fishing dispute. I am not able to catch the latest news because we are getting ready for our next fishing season which will begin in just a few months. There is much to prepare for. I stumble across this Web site dedicated to fishing fury. Is "fury" a word that expresses how most Atlantic Canadians feel about the situation we are in? Most of us that are from small coastal communities, that depend on the fishery to sustain us are not furious. We are TERRIFIED. Our community has about 700 residents, all with a strong background in the fishery. Our father's father's father supported his family in the fishery. We have seen a decline in our community in the last decade. No in-shore fishery, fish plant are closing, more people living on very Little, picking pennywinkles on the shore to try and survive in what was once a thriving fishing community. We are hanging onto a small portion of what was once a strong and viable source on income. What we have left is our lobster fishery. We fish in southwest Nova Scotia, in the Bay of Fundy and St. Mary's Bay. Our season runs from the end of November to the end of May. We fish with ice on our boats and on our bodies. We work from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Wind, ice, snow and heavy seas are our work place. Long hours on our feet on a fishing boat that if you are really lucky has a washroom and some shelter from the harsh winter elements. When I read the diary that is being written by the Mi'kmaq spokesperson for CBC I am baffled. It appears that this is being portrayed as a fued between the Canadian government and the First Nations people, that the Mi'kmaq people are once again being given the short end of the stick. Well, I don't believe that is the issue. The DFO is protecting the rights of all Canadians. What is to happen to us if our lobster stocks are fished year round? I am a 30-year-old woman, my husband is 31. We have two kids, a mortgage, a vehicle payment and lots of expense. Both of us are fishermen. We go out in 35 foot boats in the dead of winter. On days that most of you are tucked warmly in your homes we fish lobster. We are not rich, we do not own the boat we fish for. We make a moderate living. We do not oppose the native people fishing for lobster, but the fishery cannot stand to be fished in summer and winter. So what it boils down to is simple. Those of you natives that want
to fish, do so in season. The saying around here is Fish in our season. Help in our conservation. I would love to be able to choose what season I fish in but I cannot. Those of the First Nation community that want to fish will be provided for by the government, their boats will be bought, their gear and license paid for by the government. Is that not enough? I guess not. What is to become of us if the last viable fishery in our community is lost? No, fury is not the word to describe this situation. Fear, uncertainty, defeat. These words better describe the non-native's feelings on this issue. We are not a people that are trying to stop natives from fishing, we just want a fair fishery. Every season needs a rest, a time to replenish. We are a diverse country, multicultural, but we are all CANADIANS. I believe this is an issue of payback, for wrongs of the past, time for natives to get back at our forefathers. But that is wrong. No one can change that past, but what about the future? Karen Crocker
Hello, This lobster dispute has already gone too far, and if the governmentt doesn't put their hands on a solution, and fast, we will see the Oka, Qc. Crisis all over again. Coming from a lobster fishing community as I'm from, you really get to understand the value of this industry. (It has put food on the table and a roof over my head all my life.) The problem here does not lie with the natives, but rather the manner at which the government has handled the situation. First of all, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is not a native maritimer, and has already proven that he's incapable of running this department efficiently. What does he know of this livelihood?! The other big goof-up by the government was to declare Rae as a mediator. HE'S FROM ONTARIO! What does he know of this way of life?!? Why not take someone like Frank Mackenna who knows about fishing, and who has dealt with politics in this region successfully for a long period of time? Ottawa needs to realize that people from Central Canada cannot run the DFO. They must take people from the Coast, as before with Tobin and Crosbie. As for the treaty rights of the natives, if they want to make "a moderate living" and "preserve their culture" they can fish using the techniques that were used when the treaty was signed, and not 45-foot, diesel-powered, fibreglass lobster boats. Our lobster fishery finally had a perfect balance, every year the catches were stable. We cannot afford to have anymore traps in the water, so the only way that the natives can fish is if the government steals the licences from the non-native licence holders, and we all know that that won't happen. In conclusion, it is a shame that this has gone this far, and a solution will be impossible to satisfy both sides. But, like always, I can almost guarantee that the loser will be the non-natives. Many of these non-natives are French Acadians (such as myself), and we don't have a treaty with Ottawa; but what the English did to us in 1755 should grant us the same rights as the natives. That is another aspect that will surface if the non-natives loose this battle, and this will complicate the issue beyond repair. Erik Doucet
To all the bleeding hearts in Canada: It must be easy for you to sit back and say give the poor indians all the lobster fishery they want. I still don"t think you understand that they go fishing in the same season we do and make the same money we do but with a big difference – the people of Canada buy it for them. To the people who watch TV and say "well the boats the poor indians use don"t look like they cost a couple of thousand dollars," well wait until these crazy bands sign an agreement and see what kind of boats they have. Why do I say crazy bands? Well, if you were told you could go make on the average of two-hundred-thousand dollars per boat in the season and pay nothing for boats, gear or licence, you would have to be crazy not to take it. So if Burnt Church signed tomorrow it would bring in 17 licences times two hundred thousand dollars. That to anybody has to be a pretty good moderate living. So now who are the greedy people? Now, for the Bleeding Hearts who are so willing to give half of my living away without knowing anything about the complete story, maybe we should make a new TAX for everyone in Canada called the B.H.T. so that every person in Canada pays their fair share to the poor indians, who I am sure my ancesters never hurt anymore than yours did. So, if my share is 50 per cent of what I make then so should yours. I'm already paying mine so I might ask my M.P. to bring this up in Ottawa and see how much crying would go on. I don"t think that the three or four thousand lobster fishermen in Atlantic Canada should have to pay for all of Canada. Kevin Penney
The problems in Nova Scotia could be resolved by presenting the Mi'kmaq with a copy of the current calendar. The date on it will read 2000, not 1431 or whatever date in the past they believe prevails today. World population has increased, the population of the Mi'kmaq tribes have increased, but not the lobster population. Elementry arithmetic will give the Indians an insight into why conservation in lobster trapping has to be practised. If they persist in setting 5,000 traps to catch 2,000 lobsters, someone very quickly will have none and that situation will prevail for some time, quite possibly for the remainder of the existence of the tribe. The behaviour of the Indians is just another manifestation of the sense of greed that prevails nowadays. Carl T. Erickson
As a Canadian tax payer I am tired of supporting the native people of Canada. I ask our government to start spending my tax dollars wisely. Send the army in and stop all illegal fishing by whatever means nesessary. K. Van Raay
The Burnt Church Aboriginals should be permitted to trap lobsters for their own use and that is all! Rulings made centuries ago have nothing to do with life today in the year 2000. If the tribe wants to join with existing fishery businesses and abide by the rules as layed down by the Canadian government, then they should be welcome. Otherwise they should not be permitted to fish for lobster for resale. H. Thompson
Let the Burnt Church people fish all they want in order to earn a living, but when they recieve that, inform them that federal funding has ceased. You cannot have it all ways. Fank McGovern
TA few facts on the Burnt Church situation. Natives have never been excluded from the commercial fishery by statute, regulation or policy. Prior to 1968, anyone who wanted to could obtain a commercial fishing license for 25 cents. At least three natives were fishing in the Pictou Landing area in 1971 and had been fishing for at least two generations. After 1968 and the development of Limited Entry Licensing, anyone could buy out an existing operation from a fisherman who was retiring, moving on or going broke. Several natives in Pictou did so and are hard-working, successful and well respected fishermen today. The Lennox Island band in PEI once had about 20 commercial fishermen in the Band BUT they sold those licenses out to non-natives over time. Now they want free licenses. No commercial fisherman in my thirty years experience in the industry is opposed to native presense in the fishery UNER THE SAME CONSERVATION RULES THAT APPLY to all fishermen. It is not the duty or responsibility of the inshore fishery to redress native wrongs or entitlements. It is the duty of the Nation. The commercial fishery not only predates Confederation but actually predates permanent European settlement in the New World. The commercial fishery is the creation of non-natives. True, natives had a subsistence fishery since time immemorable and that is recognized both by the Sparrow decision and the commercial sector without argument. The Lobster fishery is fully subscribed and the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council estimates that 90% of the lobsters reaching legal size in a given year are caught [killed]. By definition any lobster which survives the Spring fishing season is "conserved" at least 'til next year. The biology of the lobster is such that a lobster which survives the season will moult and grow and if female breed. A lobster which becomes egg bearing in the off season is exempted from the fishery for one to two more years and thus becomes part of the spawning bio-mass or brood stock for future recruitment. You cannot kill the same lobster twice. If it escapes the Spring season it will neither enter the brood stock nor the next year's fishery if you catch it in the Fall. 29 of 34 Bands have signed management plans, or agreements in principle granting them licenses, vessels, equipment, training and infrastructure and there are currenly Bands fishing in both the lobster and snow crab fisheries without incident and with strong support from existing fishermen. Burnt Church was offered 17 vessels with equipment, 75 tons of snow crab [worth approx. $1 million], a new wharf and training programs etc etc. For whatever reason they declined. What could the reason be? The satisfaction of indigenous entitlements has been successfuly achieved in New Zealand with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Settlement Act. It took about a year to negotiate and conclude the deal. Stuart J. Beaton
The same rules that apply to the whiteman should apply to the natives as well, if the natives want to go lobster fishing then they should have to buy a lobster license the same as a whiteman. I am presently living in Calgary (since 1992) and I would love to move back to Nova Scotia and go fishing lobster, but I can't because I do not have a lobster license. My family has been involved in the fishing industry for more than 100 years, but yet I cannot go fishing lobster without a license, then why should the natives be allowed? It's bad enough that the citizens of Canada have to support them for most of their lives and yet they still want everything for free. The boats and gear that the natives are using to participate in this illegal fishery, guess who has paid for these items, WE DID! If any other person wants to get involved in the lobster fishery, they have to pay out thousands of dollars, but yet a native can get a boat and lobster traps for free, given to him or her by us and go fishing without a license, this is b*llsh*t! The citizens of Canada have been paying the natives for their so-called land for years, it's time for the natives to go to work like the rest of us do! We have paid them long enough, how much is "their land" really worth? Gerald Macdonald
In regards to the illegal activities of the Burnt Church fishermen, I say turn it over to the army. Let the army have total power to deal with them. Use whatever force is necessary to stop them in their rebellion and if they become violent then use extreme force against them. Anyone else would not get away with this, and the natvies should be given the message that that the citizens of Canada will not tolerate anymore rebellion from natives or anyone for that matter. And that should go for barricading roads as well as illegal fishing. We are tired of a government that has two laws, one for the Canadian citizen and one for the natives. Aren't they Canadian citizens as well? Dave Geauvreau
I am getting sick and tired of hearing about the noble Mi'kmaq and their selective rights. Have the Mi'kmaq conveniently forgotten their own dismal history (ie. the systematic elimination/genocide of the competing Beothuk aboriginals of Newfoundland)? James
Dear CBC, I'm a fisherman that fishes in the Miramichi and I fished beside natives all spring. To my recollection there were no incidents. But if they keep fishing now, somebody is playing with a bomb. That's the problem – you can't have two sets of rules. Miramichi fisher
Of the many perspectives expressed in this space, there appear to be two camps: one believing that one group is being treated unfairly (whether that is the group on the Burnt Church reserve, or the group across the Bay) and another allowing that the law is the law, though with at least two interpretations of the law. The past is just that: the past. Whatever happened two hundred years ago, happened under circumstances and for reasons which do not apply today, nor can we hope to really understand them. People lived and warred here over territory for thousands of years, the coming of the Europeans around the end of the "first" millenium was just another party. The media likes to observe that the "natives" have such and such a standard of living, or such and such a level of education, and so on. How does this compare to the people of the outports of Newfoundland, or perhaps the fishing villages of the Maritimes, or maybe the northern towns of the prairies? Is life any harder, or easier, for any of them? The idea of reserves and first nation rights is extinct. A community of individuals claiming descent from people who lived here thousands of years ago should be treated just like a community claiming descent from people who lived here centuries ago, or decades, or who just moved here last week. We all benefit from the same federal infrastructures regardless of what province we live in. Different communities have different local infrastructures which affect the opportunities of their members – it's a fact of life. If you live in an outport, you don't have access to ballet companies. If you want that access, leave the outport. If you live in a city, you must deal with crowding and a man-made environment. If you don't like that, leave the city. It's time for the federal government to apply the law, whatever the law is, to everyone. Where there is some inequity in the law, the law must be changed. In most cases that can, and is, being done unilaterally by the federal government. In some cases, there must be some negotiation with other parties. In all cases, the principles of fairness and equity must be observed. No one fishes somewhere that others can't because three thousand years ago one of their ancestors might have. No one sets up road blocks on public roads. If people want to become lawyers, they go to university. If they want to go to university, they work and save and draw on family support, and study in high school. If that person comes from a community from which lawyers don't traditionally come, they may have to work a little harder. This applies to everyone, whether in Newfoundland, Alberta, or BC, regardless of skin colour, regardless of language, and regardless of length of time they personally, or their community, has lived here. We all know that power and wealth are not distributed evenly here, or anywhere else. But we can all enjoy happy and fulfilling lives if we choose to. If we choose otherwise, we reap the fruits (or not) of whatever choices we made. Let's get this behind us, and move on together. Vaughn Cosman
A moratorium on fishing is prudent. Careful evaluation and adherence by everyone to fishing rules will protect the future harvests. First Nations elders have lived & taught living in harmony with nature – now we hear only selfish discord. No one will die if they do not fish as much, they'll just be able to buy fewer toys. Impatience & ignorance will destroy relationships & fishing forever. Work together, help each find happiness for the future, not just this year's harvest. Respect nature's limits for fish and lobster. Your families' futures depend on that. Wishing you all the wisdom that patience and peace brings. Dan Onischuk
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I am absolutely fed up with natives suing the government and everyone else they can get their hands on for things that happened hundreds of years ago. My great, great grandfather may have been killed by Indians in a fight, but do I hate all native Canadians because of that and hold them accountable? No! Mismanagement of funds? Let's not kid ourselves here and call a spade a spade. Many bands have wasted tons of money and destroyed facilities built for their use and pleasure like gym and hockey rinks. Now it's fishing problems back East again. If you want to fish by aboriginal rules alone, great! No more tax breaks (of which there are many) and no more handouts. Go ahead and survive off ther land if that's what you want. Steve mackisoc
I have been watching the standoff at Burnt Church quite closely as well as reading the messages left on the CBC site Your Space. I'm struck by one common statement from the native side of the argument, that the DFO officers that rammed the native boat should be arrested and charged with attempted murder. There is NO comment or mention of the DFO officer who has had to have surgery to reconstruct his face after being struck by a rock which came from the hand of a native. I guess in this instance the law does not apply as it would to a non-native. Kind of reminds me of OKA where a police officer was murdered in the line of duty and no charges were laid. By the way, if the RCMP investigation proves that the DFO officers used excessive force, they should be charged in accordance with the law, how about that rock thrower? That said, how about native rights? Myself, I'm all for native rights and the rights provided by Canada for status natives if and only if they also apply to me and every other Canadian. That's right, if you fish out of season, so should I, if you don't pay taxes than I should not have to pay them either. What a concept, equal rights and laws that apply to all equally. Hopefully the government will see the light, but I doubt that will ever happen, one has only to watch the CBC to realize that it's only going to get worse. Rob Hildebrand
I have lived from one coast to the other and most provinces in between and consider myself to be a CANADIAN. With this in mind it is my opinion that ALL CANADIANS should live by the same laws. No exceptions! When in Rome… well when in CANADA! I realize that in the past, treaties were written and broken, but all this cannot be undone. Also, if one looks into the Indian history they will find that along with treaties there was a time when the Indians were selling off this land to the Americans for a bottle of booze. Again, none of this can be changed and I feel that trying to go back and change the past just revives old wars and disputes. I feel our government (like most) is not perfect, but does try to set standards that are relative from coast to coast and I feel these should apply to everyone who lives here. I AM CANADIAN and if you live here so should you be. All for one and one for all. Considering the vast size of our country I think we have so far done a super job of avoiding the internal wars that other countries experience, but if we start setting aside different cultures within our borders and establishing different laws for each we will also start experiencing the internal conflicts that go with it. Bonnie Gray
A "fish where we want, when we want" prepossesion is absolutely harebrained and self-seeking. I am behind the DFO 100 per cent and I think a positive understanding needs to arise in the minds of native Canadians with respect to their privileges for the future. A more feasible fiscal disposition should be adopted. It is time to enrol every single Canadian in the economy and shunt government subsidies and privileges and re-install that money back into education and health care. Jeremy Gleeson
The Burnt Church fisheries is another case of the means justifying the end. The natives are stealing from Canada, demanding a special kind of racial preference while ignoring the government of Canada. Just because they are poor, disadvantaged and believe they are "victims" does not give adequate cause to break or ignore the laws of the land. If the government gives in to this extortion, what will be the rule of the land? Why does the media continue to provoke this violence? Should the government negotiate with bank robbers who decide it is their right to continue to rob? Perhaps the lobsters realize that it is natives that are harvesting them and as a result, not be negatively affected. Lloyd Novak
I lived in the Burnt Church-Tabusintac area of New Brunswick for one year. It is time that the First Nations enter the commercial fishery like the non-native and work together. I do not see the solution being special treaty rights for the native people. It is time there be uniform laws for all people. It is time there be uniform laws for all the bands, not each band a law unto themselves. This may sound racist, but I hope not. I am sure this native/non-native lobster fight has hit the back page of the China Daily, where I read about it last year. Sincerely,
The government and law enforcement officers can no longer put up with the anarchy and law breaking that our so called "First Nations" people are getting away with. They must be treated in the same way the rest of us are when we break the law. Don't collect $200, don't pass go, go directly to jail. Why do we allow our courts to give fuzzy rulings that can be twisted to anything that anyone wants to interpret them as? Bob Hilborn
I cannot understand why the federal government keeps on bending over backwards to accommodate these ridiculous native claims. For hundreds of years Canada has been giving them special treatment. If anyone else blocked highways, or threw garbage at a federal officer, they'd be in jail immediately. Canada is supposed to be a country where everyone has equal rights. Why is this not so? Jim Derhouse
I am so much more than angry about the native fishery on the Burnt Church reserve. They are breaking the law and should be dealt with. If the natives believe that they have a treaty right to fish year round, then fight it in court. What you don't do is break the law and then complain about measures taken against you. Meanwhile, others are becoming homeless because they can't make any money off of the fishery, and all the time no one seems to care about the ecological repercussions. Simply said, what is remaining is scarce, and they are stealing it. John Burne
I have more of a question than a comment: When the treaty that the Natives cling so clearly to was originally signed, did the Natives even have a lobster fishery? I don't think that even if a lobster fishery was covered in the original treaty that the government would have allowed it given modern harvesting methods and technology. Chris MacKay
I cannot believe what I read in the news, especially from the bleeding-heart liberals in this country. I am ashamed that the Canadian government has allowed this to continue as long as it has. If rocks are to be used against federal officers, then some protection must be given to these officers, whom are risking their lives. I am sure that they all have families back home who are worried sick for their safety. I would like to say to all the bleeding hearts in this country, please don't bore me with your "liberal" visions. If the natives want to fish under law, let them fish under law. I have yet to see a native band that can be responsible enough to regulate itself and enforce laws (you "academics" out there, please don't bore me with your "it's the white man's fault" argument. I think most Canadians are sick of hearing that, probably even you). Therefore, it is not hard to see where the distrust of native leaders comes from. Rules to apply to this pathetic situation: (1) Natives cannot apply "white man's law" when they themselves are breaking it (referring to the demand to have charges laid on the DFO officers at the same time ignoring Canada's right to govern the fishery, as stated in the Marshall decision) (2) Canada must enforce its law, with whatever force is necessary. Again, to all you bleeding hearts out there, if taken to the world court, Canada's right to govern the fishery would be undoubtedly recognized. (3) What if non-natives put up roads blocks to keep the "warriors" from congregating on the reserve. Do you think they are coming to a family reunion or as a war party? (That's a no-brainer). Again laws must apply, these actions would not be tolerated by law enforcement if perpetrated by non-natives. (4) A native lobster fishery licensing quota should be formula based, based on the number of non-native fisher's divided by the local non-native population. Annual tonnage should fall into line with federal quotas. (5) The Canadian government should maintain, enforce and reinforce its hard line. It may not win the respect of the bleeding hearts, but who cares? Darren McCabe
I am in full support of the native aborginal fishermen having free access to fishing grounds at anytime of the year that they choose to fish, with one condition: they must use the technology of their ancestors at the time that the treaties were signed. That means no power boats, no lobster traps, no $40,000 diesel trucks, no electricity, no forced air heating, hot water, television, and no more government handouts, et cetera. Let them resort to the "old ways" from before the Europeans arrived and they can catch all the fish or lobster they want. If the natives don't want to assimilate into the 21st century, that's fine, they can continue to live traditional lives, but they will have to give up all the benefits that Canada and Canadians and the Canadian goverment have given them. I'd like to see them survive even one winter now! I'm just sick and tired of Indians, Aboriginals, natives, whatever they want to call themselves, causing the rest of us hard-working, tax-paying citizens nothing but trouble. Let them fend for themselves without government handouts of tax dollars. That would help to reduce our deficit. I can hardly wait to hear what Stockwell Day has to say on this subject! Fred Montgomery
We have created many natives to be dependent spoiled children, and we seem to want to continue down this road, as do many of the natives. The government bureaucracy encourages it, plus keeps a lot people employed, especially white hunky lawyers who advise. It is overdue for discipline and future planning. Leave the history, good, bad or otherwise in the books. Let these people join the rest of society in the world and in the future, it may not be great but it is better than living in the past. I notice that many natives living in the past do enjoy modern items, eg: E-mail. Gordon Hole
I agree with the majority of the comments below. It is high time that Indians started to be contributing members of our society and stop the "cash drain" on a country that is having a hard enough time finding money for things like education and health care. When the Indians start honestly contributing to this country, then I will start listening to their concerns. But as long as they are a burden to this society their comments will forever fall on deaf ears. Russ Frey
This entire situation could have been avoided if Pierre Trudeau didn't guarentee the natives all these 200-year old bull-sh*t treaties under the constitution. A lot has changed since these treaties were composed. There should only be one nation in Canada and that's Canada. Scott Noseworthy
The substantive truth is that Canadian aboriginals have been assimilated. They wear the same clothes, drive the same cars and trucks, watch the same TV, and want the same money. Except for the most isolated, they speak the same languages as the rest of Canadians. What we are watching is an habituated attitude of entitlement without responsibility created by successive federal governments, not the intrinsic merit of noble ideas or virtuous concern. These aboriginal groups could not exist without the government of Canada, government-paid income from the taxes of Canadians, and the wealth created by the work of all other Canadians. Special status? Why? For what? For merit? Not likely! What I see in Burnt Church is lawlessness, selfishness and a willingness to abuse the environment. This Liberal government is soft on Indians and soft-headed on Indian policies. Further CBC coverage of Burnt Church has been one-sided and biased in favour of the Indian demands. I hope that the catalysis of this confrontation leads to huge and fundamental revision of the full range of government/aboriginal relationships that leads to Indians recognizing their responsibilities as Canadians first and foremost. D.G. Davies
This excuse for a country continues to embarrass me. Who in God's name is in charge of this mess? Where is the prime minister? Has he ever made a decision in his life? That yet another lawless pack of Indians would be allowed to disgrace an entire nation on the world stage is pathetic. Do these leaches have any idea how they would be dealt with while tampering with fishing or off-shore regulations in Norway or Japan? A long-time friend of mine works aboard a US Coast Guard cutter out of Pensicola, FL. There, they give one radio warning, then blow a hole through the hull with the deck gun. This whole mess reminds me of the Newfoundland cod situation – stupidly pillage the species until there's not likely to be any left in short order, then howl at the law when there's "no more." Why not throw in "cultural" distinction just to stir the pot? No self-respecting cattle rancher would ever jeapordize the long term health and survival of the herd. Frankly, as a Canadian, every last cod or lobster in Canadian water belongs to me just as much as any other Canadian, regardless of their location, colour or creed. Oh, I forgot, I'm a native Albertan, I'm only good for my wallet – I'm only consulted when you need more money to pay for this circus. Has anyone been charged with the cop killing at Oka yet? Duane W. Berke
The Indians have a right to do what they want, yes. But they do not have a right to do something that others cannot. I agree that they can set all of the lobster traps that they want. And if it is out of season, fine. HOWEVER, none of those lobsters can be sold for commercial profit. If they want commercial profit then they want to live in "white man's" world. And in the "white man's" world there are rules. These rules are not in for the gain of the Canadian government, but for the gain of all of Canada. If the Indians rot out the lobsters then nobody wins. It is a short term gain for the Indians. Christian Gross
1. History has shown that a "Working Nation" can never have a sub-society within a society. 2. Sometimes a parent can "kill with kindness" 3. Giving a favouring advantage to one child over another child is a recipe for envy and racism. 4. A child who has been properly disciplined, when required, and taught the value of an honest day's work will most likely grow up to be productive member of society. 5. A spoiled child who has never been disciplined and continually handed the silver spoon will ALWAYS grow up to be a burden on his own parents and the rest of the family. 6 The parent of a long-time spoiled child should not be surprised when the child comes back asking for more & more & more. The parent would not have to take such severe drastic disciplinary measures if he had consistently done so during the early years. The parent, and unfortunately the rest of the kids, will have to reap the ills that the parent has sown 7. Shame on the parent!, you can not blame a spoiled child for his ways, blame the parent. Dean
I have watched the natives in the area I live in and in other places across Canada. They are out of control and they have entered into lawlessness and it must stop. This has been brought about by our goverments, past and present. The people of Canada must stand up together and say no more. When people break the law they must bear the consequences. I don't care who you are or what race you are or when you came to be in this country. Can you picture this in 5 or 10 years? It won't be solved. Rights, pride and greed just grow. Look back ten years to see this truth. K. Fawdrey
Wake up Candians! When is this going to stop? What makes the natives think they can come in and start fishing now that the prices are up? In the '60s and '70s, when lobsters were selling for cheap, they weren't scrambling across the wharf to get out there to fish. When the weather is 20 below they aren't out there fishing with the rest of the fishermen. I have no problem with the Indians fishing, if they follow the same procedures the whiteman has to. You should have to earn the money to buy a boat and licence by the sweat of your own brow. A lobster boat and licence costs a white man about $300,000 to $500,000. There are fishermen in some areas who can no longer afford to pay the mortgage on their boats because the fishing is poor. Rather than lose everything they own, they must sell their boats. The government often purchases the distressed fisherman's boat and licence. Then the government turns around and GIVES these boats and licenses to the natives. These outdated treaties say the natives are allowed to fish to support their families. Obviously the non-native fisherman wasn't allowed to support his family with that boat and licence. If he wasn't able to afford the mortgage on the boat he would have lost it. No one gave him a licence. He had to start at the back of the boat and earn enough money to hopefully get a loan to buy the boat so he could attempt to support his family. However, if he had been born a native, he wouldn't have had to spend all those years trying to earn the money for that boat. He wouldn't have watched his hard earned money being taken off his paycheque in the name of income tax. He could have been handed the half-million dollar boat and licence that some poor white fisherman couldn't maintain. Every person in Canada can have some sort of a claim in the name of injustice, racism, or whatever you want to call it. My French ancestors were deported from the shores of Nova Scotia in 1755. These are the same people who were once considered pionneers and settlers. They were put in little boats and pushed off into the Atlantic with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. I should be asking for special treatment/consideration because the loss of my ancestors has caused me to lose some of my culture and language. But I won't ask because I am Canadian and I (my forefathers) have adjusted to the situation. I have more respect for myself and my forefathers than to grovel and complain to the government about something that happened hundreds of years ago. It's high time the native peoples started to join the rest of Canadians. Why should my tax dollars pay for native people to sit around playing bingo, drinking whiskey and fight? I live within 30 miles of a native reserve. I know full well what goes on. I see it every day of my life. I'm tired of these bleeding hearts saying how sorry they are for the native peoples' situation. The people who are saying the natives are hard done by obviously have never had any real contact with Indians. They are a burden on our society. They don't pay anything towards social programs whatsoever, yet they bleed these programs dry, then ask for more. Every time you turn around there is another land claim, mis-management of funds claim. Money, money, money, every time you turn around that is all you hear them asking for. They want money because they say they were sexually assaulted in the 1950's at private schools (white sexual assault victims can only hope their assailants are found guilty, they are never awarded monetary compensation). What does money do for you when you have been sexually assaulted? The natives refuse free counseling, they continue to demand monetary compensation. This is a whole other story. Close the whiskey bottle, pick your head off the table and start acting like a Canadian, eh! Chris Deveau
The crises at Burnt Church is disgusting, if it was a community of any other ethnic group defying the DFO and laying as many traps as they want, they would all be in jail by now. Because it's a native band this will not happen. Why? Because Canada has a two-tier system of justice when dealing with native issues, where the laws of Canada don't seem to apply in the same way as they would to non-natives. I realize that some may call me racist when I call on the federal government to do away with native self government and the reserve system and start enforcing the laws of Canada equally no matter what your ethnic group. At least that's my opinion, and I'm entitled to my view since I pay taxes. Rob Hildebrand
I'm hearing the natives complain all about how there are two separate laws in Canada. One for natives and one for non-natives. The last I heard was if anyone was caught poaching, they would be arrested. Poaching is illegal. That includes fishing out of season. As for laying attempted murder charges against the DFO who are trying to uphold Canada's laws, the natives seem to think that our laws do not apply to them. If the natives want to be protected by our laws, they should OBEY THEM. Why should they get special treatment when they commit a crime? Any other citizen of Canada would get locked up, be they Asian, Indian, Arabic, Hispanic, African, European, whatever. It's only the natives that seem to feel that nothing is illegal for them. DFO, keep up the good work. Our natural resources need to be protected. I want my children and grand children to be able to enjoy this great country. If the natives keep going the way they are, Canada will be nothing but a used up hulk, unable to support life. The government gives the natives enough, and puts up with a ton of crap. The natives break the law, and when they get punished, like any other citizen would in the same situation, they scream racism, they scream "there are different laws." GET REAL. Those fishermen, or more accurately POACHERS, were breaking the law. The DFO runs over that little boat. I don't suppose anybody noticed that the officers were trying to avoid getting hit by whatever those natives were throwing. If these natives want to be protected by our laws. If those natives are so innocent, why would the fisheries officers need sheilds to protect themselves? This madness has to end. Arrest the criminals, lock them up, revoke their "status" so they have to survive like anyone else. Ron
All wars on earth since man came into existence, ended with a so-called winner and a loser. Each picking up the pieces afterward and moving on. However, in the case of natives, they have seen fit not to become educated, socially, secularly or vocationally. They have continually become like barnacles on the backs of society, ever whimpering like spoiled children and never being satisfied with anything, only then to demand back what was lost long ago. It's too costly to continue this way and I don't mean only monetarily. Yes, the white man came and caused wars against you and you were defeated. That was inevitable as there were more of them than you. That was long ago and I'm not proud that my forefathers were part of those wars, as I'm not proud of any wars what-so-ever. However; because I'm white, I will not feel guilty about those actions of yesteryear and I will not apologize for being educated and having a job. My white forefathers had to scrape the bottom of the barrel as well, in order to teach their children about education and being a responsible provider to their families as did my own father. I feel proud that, all that I have (ie.a family, kids, a job) I've worked hard to pay for and asked for nothing in return from the system that I support. I'm sorry to say, that you cannot say the same thing about who you are, as a responsible citizen or as a people of leaders for tomorrow. But you can be. I recognize that the governments of today have not treated you fairly either. You have got to learn that the governments will gladly offer you money in order to appease your current plight, but money, as we all know, is not the answer. Putting yourselves above the law is not the answer, it sends a message to us, that you are indeed INDIANS, not natives. Teach your children to become educated in the ways of the world, while maintaining your culture & language, as many others had to do. The world is full of anger at present, and when we, as non-natives, see the way that you present yourselves in these situations. It re-enforces the prejudices from within each of us, and it becomes increasingly more difficult to be empathetic. Please don't look at me and tell me that I don't have problems like you do. My car rusts, I bleed red blood when cut, my dollar is not worth a damn, the government has taxed everything I have, I have kids who just don't seem to turn out the way I had envisioned, they, in turn have all kinds of social pressures, even to the point of considering suicide, and to tell you the truth, there are days when "I" feel like packing it all in. But we're part of it all, just like "you" and if we don't support it, she'll all go down hill very fast and I'm better than that. Are you? Stephen Albert
I think it is utterly ridiculous to believe that one cannot pillage the land or seas based upon history or culture. When we have fished the last lobster out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it won't matter if it was a native or a non-native who set the trap. We have seen the collapse of how many fisheries on the east coast? How can we still be debating this? The native/non-native issue is completely a red herring. This fishery need protection, treaty or no treaty. Does it matter what blood flows through your veins? If you're raping the ocean, you're raping the ocean. K. Scott Huntley
Hi, I hate to to segregate or discriminate against any race for any reason. But when people demand to be treated "special" because of race, then I'm assuming racial segregation is being requested. I think that the bottom line here, and I'm biting my tongue as I write this, is as follows: As long as something is deemed "illegal" by the body that governs it, it must enforced unprejudiciously, not based on race, colour, or language. If you murder someone, but they were a terrible person, are you still a murderer? Yes. As an example: I want to smoke marijuana regularily. I feel I have that right because my forefather's were allowed to. It is defined as being illegal "unless" you've been given "special" permission by the federal government, the body that regulates this. Now, given that I see no reason why I shouldn't be able to, and the supreme court has ruled that the current laws are unconstitutional, why can I not do it? Simple. It's against Canadian federal laws. So, if I decide to do it, and then decide to chase down any police with my car who try to stop me, and then stand in their way when they're chasing me and force them to run me over, is this acceptable? No! If you break the law, you must be punished. The law isn't based on who is right and who is wrong! If it is wrong, you have the law changed. If you feel you are in the right, then you fight it legally, not by jumping in front of a moving car then trying to sue. This isn't the 1600's. We have a civilized society with laws to ensure the safety and well being of all of us. We, as Canadians, expect our government to uphold these laws. The only injustice in Burnt Church is that there are still ILLEGAL lobster traps in the water and the DFO doesn't appear to have the man power to completely and unequivocally enforce the laws which our nation is based on! Timmy
I for one am confused about the concept of losing territory in a war and two centuries later whining to have it back. Whining with a gun in one hand and a whiskey bottle in the other impresses no one. We have gone way too far in giving back what they "lost." There should not be reservations, no-tax privileges, or hunting and fishing grants far beyond every other citizens rights. One only needs to see the natives over catch their limit and sell to non-natives to finance their bingo halls. What the kind of game is this? They should mix with the general population under ALL the same laws and sink or swim. Wayne Colegate
The lobster fishery issue in Burnt Church is one big joke. The Mi'kmaq are contradicting their elders. First Nations peoples used to say "people live on the land, use the land but no one can own the land." Now some say we stole "their" land. They used to say that "Man must live in harmony with nature." Now some say they can fish, hunt anytime, anywhere for profit. This, to me, does not seem harmonius. It seems like some of the First Nations peoples are only thinking of themselves, and they have become just as greedy and underhanded as the "White Man." How long is it going to be before the Mi'kmaq wake up and smell the new millennium. Things have changed a lot since these treaties were signed, and I for one agree with everyone who says that following treaties signed in the 1700's is utter stupidity. Every time a band thinks it's being treated unfairly, they bring up the treaties. If the First Nations peoples want these treaties enforced then we should all, Canadians and First Nations alike, take a long look at these treaties, and abide by every detail set forth in them. If even one detail, no matter how miniscule, is deemed unfair or outdated by any party, then it stands to reason that the whole treaty is outdated and in dire need of an overhaul. I applaud the DFO and Herb Dhaliwal for standing their ground. Our natural resources need to be protected if ALL of our children and our childrens' children are going to have a world to live on. On the subject of excessive force, sure everyone sees boats being rammed by fisheries officers, but everyone forgets, that before the rammings, the Mi'kmaq in the little boats are throwing stones to purposely injure or kill the DFO officers. Now the Mi'kmaq want attempted murder charges laid? They should look a little closer to home before they point fingers. It's time to stop allowing the abuse of Canada, time to stop allowing First Nations to sponge off of the system. It's time for us to stop being bullied by First Nations when they don't get their way. Mistakes have been made on both sides since the begining several centuries ago. It's time to move on, time to move into the new millennium. Ronald Steenhuizen
I agree with the natives, there are two laws — one for natives and one for non-natives. If there wasn't, the natives would be in jail already charged with illegal fishing. The natives seem to forget that the law works against you as well as for you. Perhaps if they followed the other bands and signed with the government, they wouldn't be in this situation. Greed is funny that way, eventually it catches up with you. Bill McCardle
When will the foolishness stop in the ongoing confrontation with native bands? The natives want to have it all their way with no rules or boundaries. It does not work like that for anyone. If I were to take my rifle and block a road on some reserve because I felt I was being treated unfairly by the government, I would be stopped with whatever force was required and no one would think anything of it. For some reason the natives think they can do whatever they want and it is fair game. The only way we will ever achieve equality is for everyone to be teated equal. Mike Atkinson
So, regardless of which side of the fence anyone may be standing on, the recent violence we've seen is not good. However, the fisheries officers are trying to uphold Canadian law, and are getting no response. They would have to respond to breach of law no matter who the perpetrators are, and perhaps even use the same tactics in order to get their attention. It must be terribly frustrating to be dealing with a group of people who are demanding special rights, for whatever reason, while at the same time complain about duplicity in the way they are being treated. The following quote drives me absolutely nuts given that it is the exact root of the whole issue. It's both what they are demanding and what they are complaining about... "Sommerville said if the RCMP don't lay charges, it would be
proof that there are two laws in Canada, one for natives and another
for non-natives."
I am writing in regard to the Burnt Church Fisheries dispute. What the DFO did today, ramming boats, is unacceptable. With that said however, I must side with the federal government on this issue. Your story said "Karen Sommerville read a statement from Chief Wilbur Dedam. It called the ramming "a flagrant assault." She said native leaders want the fisheries officers to be charged with attempted murder. Sommerville said if the RCMP don't lay charges, it would be proof that there are two laws in Canada, one for natives and another for non-natives." There are of course two laws in Canada when natives are involved — two tax laws. According to the Marshall Decision, the natives have the right to earn a moderate living off fishing but the federal goverment can regulate that fishery. Well, if the natives want to get some benefits being native, tax differences, out-of-season fishing, they must also except some rules. It comes down to natives knowing their so-called rights, and not enough about their responsibilities. Joel Steacy
A First Nations women stated on the news tonight that there are two types of laws in Canada: one for First Nations and one for the rest of Canada. The reason there may seem to be two types of laws is because the First Nations people do not want to be treated like the "rest of Canada." We need to stop favouring the First Nations and start treating them like the rest of us. I do think that the DFO's actions yesterday were a little excessive, but what do you expect when people break the law and assault officers? "If the protesters were "white people," they would all be in jail. When do we stop treating natives differently? Have we not paid enough?" Paul Venn, Winnipeg I totally agree with the above quote. I was born and raised in Canada, and am totally fed up with the way our government tolerates the defiant actions of First Nations people. There are laws for a reason. I understand that they were taken advantage of hundreds of years ago, but I wasn't one of the people to take advantage of them, and none of the people who were taken advantage of are alive today. It's time to stop paying for something we didn't do. Why should we "the rest of Canada" have to put up with the First Nations getting everything they want? The fishing at Burnt Church is illegal and has nothing to do with their heritage, it has to do with money. S. Johnston
I would just like to say that these natives are Canadian citizens and they should follow the laws of our great country. We are all protected by the law but we also have to follow the law as law-abiding citizens. These people are going out and doing what they want with our fisheries resources with no regard for conservation or the laws of nature. This blatant disregard for our resources is what I thought the natives of CANADA were trying to protest against for many years. The only solution is to follow the regulations as they are and sit down and negotiate as fair and peaceful citizens of CANADA. In NEWFOUNDLAND we have had our resources raped over the years with little or no benefit to our people. I wish you good luck in your protest but talk is better than violence. G. Frank Power
There should be only one set of rules in this country. I'm getting real sick of all this bickering. I find it strange how a lot of these problems go away for a while when money is doled out. It seems that all you have to represent is a special interest group and the rest of Canada is to bow down to you. Well I say, get a life and get on with it. Randy Wilkinson
The views in the letter from Blair Mahaffy regarding the fishing dispute is probably shared by many people, myself included. Richard Macey
I believe I've been reasonably sympathetic to the First Nation land claims issues and their struggle to gain control of some share of the country's resources. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time getting up much sympathy for the Burnt Church group. To even suggest murder charges against government officials in this case is simply disgusting. The First Nation fishermen made a conscious decision to drive their boats in front of the fisheries boats in an effort to stop them. The First Nations boat operators could just as well be charged with reckless endangerment and obstruction of justice, as would happen with anyone else in this country who tries to stop a peace officer. Of course "Canada accepts this to be a normal thing to be done out there to First Nations people." I'd also expect it to be a normal thing to be done to any group of white fishermen who flagrantly disregard fishing quotas and laws laid down by our government. Trying to stir up sympathy by making some sort of claim of racism in a case like this is just going to stir up anger among many people. If the people of Burnt Church, and Ovide Mercredi, want public support on their side, they are going to have to understand that Canadians are going to want to see equality — not a condition where First Nations people can simply ignore the laws of our land when it is convenient for them to do so and then scream racism when someone tries to enforce the laws. The fact is, we all have to share limited resources. The DFO and the quotas they establish serve the purpose of protecting both the stocks and the interests of those who rely on them for a living. Can you imaging if DFO just said to the First Nations "Go ahead and fish what you want."? We'd have open war on the water overnight. Blair Mahaffy
The Natives need to be assimilated into the rest of the population. The treaties written 100 + years ago should be anulled and they should simply have to work and pay taxes like the rest of Canadians. They are offered cash as a means to "shut them up" on a regular basis. This does not work. Close the reserves (which are little more than havens for drug and alchohol abuse) and have these people contribute to Canada. You may argue that they do contribute, I say, making pretty "dream catchers" for sale at the local farmers markets and fighting on a continuous basis with law enforcement and non-native members of our community is not a contribution. I live in Toronto now, but was raised in Nova Scotia. The reserves are a disgrace. We give these people new houses and they destroy them. We offer them cash for "training" but can't afford to offer anything to non-native Canadians. (Except Quebec, but that's another argument). Get with it politicians! Listen to what the rest of the people in this third-world country are saying. Yeah, yeah, I know, that won't get you any votes. No wonder your taking away our guns, too. That way we have no power to stop you guys from doing whatever you want to us! Shades of Nazi Germany. I'm sure a thousand bleeding hearts out there will argue up and down about how wrong I am. But, this is my opinion. There, I think I touched on most of the topics in the poor nation that I felt the need to vent on. Thanks for listening. Stephen Alexander P.S. Lower my taxes.
I've been following the developments currently taking place between the DFO and the people of Burnt Church for quite some time now, and to be quite frank, I'm getting sick and tired of all the native backdoor antics. The last time I checked the criminal code, it applied to ALL Canadians. Like it or not, the members of Burnt Church, like each and every other native tribe member living in Canada, ARE Canadian citizens, whether they like it or not. So why do they feel that Canadian laws don't apply to them? What gives them the right to defy the law and endanger the lives of innocent people? The answer is very clear. We give them the right by not putting a foot down to the crimes being committed. All this talk about treaties made 300 years ago is a big load of garbage. Talk about selective reading. If anyone bothered to really read the treaty, it also stipulates curfews for natives and restrictions on the use of firearms and other metals. Yet these points are deemed to be outdated by the native peoples, while others, like fishing rights, are still valid after all this time? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that fish stocks 300 years ago were far larger than they are today. All things change over time, and maybe the native groups in Canada should start getting with the times themselves. Canada has been supporting native causes and peoples for far too long. They have become the 40-year-old son that just wouldn't leave home. How much do we have to pay, and how much to we have to bend before we can't do it anymore? If the native peoples here in Canada think that they have been getting a bad deal, maybe they should try getting a job and paying some income tax for a change. Must be a really tough life indeed. They never had it so good. So the next time anyone even thinks about supporting these groups, maybe they should try visiting the local native casino. Steven John Stronach
Mark Pokorski
If I was invited into a home to help in a crisis, then was asked to meet angry neighbours, I would leave for another more sensible opportunity to assist. Mr Nault firmly did the correct thing in departing Burnt Church. It is too easy to abuse a guest for momentary entertainment, regreted later and too late. This opportunity was wasted. Jim Livingston
Herb Dhaliwal and the DFO are justified in their use of force in order to enforce the law. Accusations of unnecessary force are unfounded in this reader's opinion. The traps were put out there with the full knowledge that it was against the law and that the ministry would attempt to remove them. Stubborn First Nations people: Stop whining and start negotiating. Scott Roberts
I find myself wondering "how" verbal (and written) agreements made between two parties (natives and colonials) over 100 years ago, could be construed by anyone to be binding in the year 2000. I know that many outrageous acts have been perpetrated against the native peoples of this land, but that was a long time ago. We have got to find ways where ALL OF US (Aboriginal or otherwise) can live under the same laws, rules, expectations, etc. Just because my great great grandfather and his cohorts committed what we today consider terrible errors in the way they dealt with the native people, doesn't mean I should have to continue to pay the price. I was not there. I did not "belittle" the natives. We can't re-write history. If we had known then what we know now, we would have done things differently. All Canadians, native or otherwise must receive the same benefits, advantages, etc. No more "special cases." We are all a special case. I'm sorry our forefathers treated the natives so poorly, but we can't be expected to live in the past anymore. Sorry — you are now Canadians — we can't change that. Welcome to the 21st Century! Alyson Brown
I think what the natives are doing is extremely unfair. They already have so many privileges that white people don't. It's unbelievable! In my opinion, they're abusing their rights and I do think that the DFO has a right to do what they're doing. They're protecting the area, and doing a good job. If they set up that many lobster traps, what about the regular economy out there? Brandi-Lee Warner
NOTHING. The natives in this country are owed absolutely nothing. I didn't steal "their" land. Neither did my my great grandfather, my grandfather, or my father. It is called civilization. If Canadian Indians think we screwed them somehow, let them revert back to their hunter/gatherer ways. Take away their government cheques. Take away their health care. Send them back to the dark ages if that's what they want. Their leaders tell us publicly to prepare for confrontation? One day, the rest of Canada will get sick of this B.S. Indians in Canada have more rights and benefits than anyone else in this country, yet the suicide, unemployment, alcohol and drug addiction rates are far above national averages. This is largely due to poor self-esteem. What natives need are less handouts and more jobs. Support them with education and training, and wean them off of welfare and the reserves. Is it so difficult to understand? Rich Porayko
Regrettably, Ovide Mercredi fails to comprehend that, in any civilized society, the majority rules and that the First Nations, while here first, should meet federal officials on their turf. Also regrettable is the fact that First Nations STILL have no leadership and will never have it as long as the interests of individual natives supercede the interests of all First Nations! Bruce Hartman
I am so incredibly sick of Native Canadians who think that the laws of this land do not apply to them. The department of fisheries must protect the stocks for all fishers, and as far as I'm concerned, if they are breaking laws they should go to jail. Why do they think they are more special than anyone else? They have a right to fish as there forefathers did — but that's the point. Their forefathers didn't drop hundreds of traps or nets in pursuit of commercial profits. If natives want to be in business like other Canadians, they have to follow the same rules. As far as land claims go, do I have a right to return to Ireland and claim 1000 acres that was appropriated from my family by the British? GET OVER IT. Any time a group of individuals believe that they are entitled to special rights that are not enjoyed by the majority, doesn't that make them racist? Native Canadians and Quebecers will never be satisfied with their participation in Canada. What is so wrong with being equal with all Canadians? Alan Taaffe
Hey, did you know that if you are a native, you are special? You can ignore all the laws of the country you inhabit when and where you want. You don't have to listen to reason, you don't have to obey the laws of the land, you can lie, smuggle, cheat, steal, not pay taxes like everyone else in Canada. It is about time Canada, and Canadians got tough with natives. There is a core group of native who control the reserves. They have the money, the power and don't do anything to improve the standard of living of natives in these areas. It is operating like the mafia with the power and control in the hands of criminals. The fact that a fisheries officer was injured should result in severe punishment for the persons who inflicted his injuries. These natives know that our legal system is weak and they abuse the system and can basically act at will to injure our law enforcement officers. As far as I am concerned, these people receive millions in benefits from the Canadian public and it is about time that they started to respect the laws of the land. They receive many benefits for being natives and if they continue their violent behavior, they should lose their special status. It is time to forget the past and move on to the future! Ken Chartrand
As a consumer, I would be interested to know where the illegal lobster catch is being sold. With thousands of traps in the water, there must be some large-scale buyer who has no qualms about purchasing lobster caught out of season. I have no interest in buying these lobster, and would very much like to know which stores buy illegal lobster, so that I can avoid them. Thanks so much for the opportunity to make my views known. Darren White
I still don"t believe the people of Canada really see what these Indians are doing. When I read some of the letters written here, I know that nobody could say these Indians are not permitted to use their rights if they knew the truth. The truth is these Indians just finished a lobster season with the real fishermen and made as much money as they did, but with with a big difference. They go with free boats and gear that the people of Canada paid for. And they say they are not Canadians, don't want to be Canadians. We must be stupid to buy millions of dollars worth of boats and gear for people from another country to come fish lobsters in Canada. They call fishermen the greedy ones. Well, we make a living in the season so why can"t they? About the so-called food fishery good joke, here in Yarmouth for the last four summers we watched six or seven boats go every day and catch on the average 1000 to 2000 pounds of lobster. And that's not for all the boats together, that's just for one boat. So every day 7,000 to 14,000 pounds of lobster was going for food and ceremonial purposes? HA HA HA. Must be some fat Indians some where. All the real fishermen ever asked for was for them to fish in the same season we do. Leave the lobsters alone in the summer when they are breeding and sheding their shells to grow. I do know that the DFO had better keep on doing what they are doing, if they don't then it's up to the fishermen to protect their livings and I know it would not be as peaceful as what DFO is doing. I'm sure when you get put in a position that you have to fight for something you worked all your life for, someone could be killed. So to the people who are telling the DFO to leave the poor Indians alone, it could get much worse if the fishermen show up. Kevin Penney
All right, here's my two cents worth. Some may agree with me, some may not. Everyone has their own opinion. #1: Where in history does it show that the natives fished for lobster? Hmmm.... can anyone answer this question? And show proof? I think not. #2: Years and years ago, when lobster were first caught in nets, what was done with them? Were they eaten? Were they sold for profit? From what I've been told, they were considered a nuisance, a poor man's food, and used for fertilizer on gardens, etc. #3: Who developed the market for lobster? Was it the natives? I don't think so. Who invented the trap to catch them? Again, was it the natives? The answer to that is simple… NO! It was the white man. What it all boils down to is that the white man invented everything used to catch them, and developed the market, and now the natives want to use the white man's technology to catch them (out of season, where I'm from) and profit from it. I think this is very wrong! If they want to fish for lobster, they should have to fish the same season as we do, and abide by the same regulations. It seems that there are only a couple of groups of natives that are unwilling to agree with this. If other bands of natives are willing to agree with this, why can't the others? Simple answer: they want to fish when, #1 they can have it all to theirselves (no competition from the fisherman that rely on it for a living), and #2 they want to fish when the weather is warm and not have to worry about contending with the harsh weather and the cold in the winter that we have to. I have to give DFO credit this year, they are trying to stop the illegal fishing in this area (St.Mary's Bay) and are doing a good job of it. That's just my two cents worth. Signed,
I am writing this letter in response to the disputes between the DFO and native peoples and their claims to rights to fish for lobsters. I believe if the natives are willing to buy a lobster licence and a boat to fish it, then they have the right to fish for lobster, just like anyone else. They do not have the right to fish out-of-season for these lobsters. Their interpretation of the Marshall decision is wrong. Why, I ask, is the lobster fishery the only way out of the depths of depression for these natives? They have ample opportunity to advance themselves that are unavailable to many. Free college and university tuitions and tax exemptions. That seems to give lots of options for natives. If university is out of the question for them, they can get into the work force and bring home every cent they make. If I were able to work at a job and not pay taxes, I could work for less money and survive very well because what I made I could keep. I'm sure if a company can call themselves "equal opportunity employers," then they will have no trouble hiring a native to fill a position, provided he is capable of doing that job. Why do the many of them insist that they want to fish for lobster? Just because of a poorly-interpreted court ruling? All of a sudden they decide they want to work? They have know for years that they could enter any work force and do so without paying taxes. Why now? I have to question their sincerity on the issue of trying to get out of poverty by going lobster fishing. I have some knowledge on this issue! I grew up in a fishing village in south-west Nova Scotia and was involved in the lobster industry most of my life. My father was a lobster fisherman and my brother is still a lobster fisherman in the area. I left Nova Scotia in 1998 because I realized I didn't have $350,000 to invest in a lobster license, and all the jobs in the industry were filled. Now I see these natives from bands like Indian Brook fishing off-season in the waters near my home and I am 5000 kilometres away trying to make my way in a new industry, of which I have no experience. Where is the fairness in that? I talk to many friends still involved in the industry and hear their fears of losing their livelihood as well. What do I say to them? Should I make up some spare beds for them to come out here and try starting over? These natives claim to be peaceful and fair yet they put titles on themselves like "warriors" Does that sound like peaceful? They are out for nothing but trouble. They realized that they can get what they want by causing a stink and every time the government seems to give in. It has to end somewhere and I think this is the ideal place to start. If force is necessary to stop them, then SO BE IT! You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything. Stop the illegal fishing! Thank you
I was in the army when the OKA crisis broke out. I was on standby with my husband to go and offer assistance if needed. That was 11 years ago. So far, I can't say as we have made any progress since then. Does being a member of First Nations give you the right to own and operate illegal hydroponics operations, gun running, prostitution rings, drugs etc, etc, etc?? On top of all this, they want free housing, GST exempt purchases, wholesale gas prices, and rights to fish wherever and whenever they want to?? The way I see it, it's a seperate society that lives off the backs of (most of the time) honest taxpayers. Here in Alberta, I am not allowed to fish certain fish. Next year, I will only be allowed to get one trout. But if I was a member of First Nations, then it wouldn't matter how much fish I took or where. Being of military background and an advocate for fairness, I say that if the First Nations decide to blockade major roads, then what is stopping us from blockading them onto their reserve? Why do they have the "right" to do whatever the heck they want to do? Why can they cause chaos and nobody puts them in place? Why didn't we drop a firebomb on their "pot" field, or storm their reservations? Don't hand me this human rights crap either. I think it is total crap that these people believe that we "OWE" them. Owe them what??? I have to work to put my kids through school. Maybe if I managed to get myself a First Nations card then I wouldn't have to. The government pays for it all. Why is the government so interested in keeping these people happy?? Is it "white guilt?" Whining doesn't get the rest of the country anywhere, but it sure works with the First Nations. Haven't we figured out that the demands for hand outs is never going to end? When are we going to say, "Enough!! If you want to live here in Canada, then you darn well have to pay your own way and pay taxes like everyone else!" I think that they should have to abide by the CANADIAN FISHING AND WILDLIFE REGULATIONS just like any other Canadian citizen. I think that they should have to limit the fish that they take out of the ocean and rivers and lakes, just like any other Canadian citizen. I can't help but feel for the demonstrators that are non-native during this as fishing is their way of life. If the white man has to cut down on the amount of fishing that he does, then it is only fair to preserve the fish so that there is enough for everyone, that the native people comply as well. For a small group of people, they sure do have the government bent over a table. Julie Yaskow
Thanks for the chance to express our views. Of all the statements made I haven't read one on behalf of the "Lobster." I have been part of meetings regarding conservation and the crisis in the Yarmouth area last October, when over 600 lobster vessels came to the harbour to protest the out-of-season lobster harvest. Why were the people/community leaders, lobster fishers, crews, families of the above involved in the week long gathering at the Yarmouth wharves? The answer is simple — we care for our lobster fishery. Most of the regulations that are in place were imposed by the industry and are enforced by the DFO. Conservation is # 1, and any out-of-season fishing is a threat to practically the only fishery that is still viable. This so-called food fishery HAS to become part of the regular commercial lobster season. The bands that have been in the news, Indian Brook and Burnt Church, both have access to the commercial lobster fishery. We as commercial fishers have to save legal lobsters, cook them and freeze them for our food fishery for out of season. Why can't the natives do the same? Oh yes their right — well their right does not mean the ruin of another fishery. Lots more could be written, for example, around 1970 the lobster fishery was wide open and a license was only 25 cents, I had one and was fishing, where were the natives? Thanks for the oppurinity to express some of my views. Thanks, P.S. This fishery cannot stand an out-of-control, out-of-season illegal fishery. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, keep up the good work!
You really must see two sides from each story. It is really getting difficult to deal with the way the natives in this country blockade and protest and seem to think that everyone that is non-native owes them something. I am part native and I think it is time that we all work together, stop this blockade/protest garbage and get on with it. What would native communities think if the reserves were blockaded. All I can say about the lobsters is everyone should be careful as to not over fish. Soon there will be no lobster, fish or anything. I wonder how the native people would feel about having their fair share of NOTHING! Brian Allan Hunt
ter·ror·ism (tr-rzm) n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. This definition comes to mind every time I hear of a new blockade on our national highways by a First Nations band. The use of these road blockades are no longer seen as a protest of injustice by the aboriginal people, as it was five years ago, it is now to the point of ridiculous self-servings by a select few. Why the road blockade in Burnt Church? Because these group of people do not want to participate in conserving the fish and lobster stock that we have. The Canadian government is not trying to oppress the members of this band. They are trying to divide the lobster fishery EQUALLY among the lobster fishers. It is my belief that members of the Mi'kmaq Band are greedy and refuse to play by the rules that make up a civilized society. It is now to the point where we have ARMED Native fisheries officers floating around in boats ready for who knows what? Are these fisheries officers not suppose to uphold the law like any other fisheries officer in Canada. I think they have lost site of what their job is, protecting fish! For too long the politicians have allowed this form of Canadian terrorism to go on and allow the people perpetrating these acts to get the results they want. Why the tolerance? If any other Canadian attempted this show of civil disobedience, they would be hauled off in shackles by a emergency response team, approximately ten minutes after dawning our first piece of combat gear and hoisting our first barricade. The Mi'kmaq continuously speak of the inherent right to fish for food. It is not their right to block access to roads and pillage the ocean of its resources. Hooray to Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal for not backing down. James Towle
I Have lived in Canada all my life and have never seen the Canadian Indians help build this country. The infrastructure was built by many different groups. After 125, years the Indians want what others have built and in some cases died for, like the Chinese who built the Trans Canada Highway! Come on First Nations, stop blaming the Canadians. You didn't help build this great nation so why should you have special right, because you where here first? Please, that excuse is old. I saw Sudbury Indians get free homes and a check for over 125 years. Do you not think we've paid enough? You've never paid taxes. Now you want more! Jeannie Moreland
It strikes me as tragic that the natives and the DFO are fighting with each other over this issue, given so many avenues of solution available in such a free country as Canada. Natives of the area, for the past several generations, are Canadians. Just likes the other ethnic groups that have come to call this land home. It no longer matters who was where first. We are all of the past three generations, making us equal inhabitants, stewards, and inheritors of the land. One of my native friends told me that several years ago when we were kids, and I still agree with him today. A far more constructive and interactive method for natives, in all parts of the country, would be to work in coordination with the system, rather than continuously fight it. Leaders inspire people after all, not bandits. Let us remember that the Iroquois inspired the political system here. It would be disappointing to see the natives abandon the system they demonstrated to us. The natives should train their people to become parks officials, or DFO officials, or Environment Canada scientists. Then, their beliefs could directly influence how their children will live in this country, just like everyone else's. Maybe, the natives should train themselves as consultants, educators, or politicians so they can teach other Canadians about the importance of preserving all of this, including culture, as a Canadian way of life. Many businesses now include plants, fish, and who knows what else inside their halls, all of it unthinkable only fifty years ago. I am willing to bet that the natives and "everyone else" share many similar beliefs, and such actions would work out well. The down time, if one calls it that, would be approximately 6 years of education, training, and placement. In such an open-minded society (compared to several other countries) you would think natives would be jumping at the chance. Many people might say that the above won't work, that there are too many prejudices. Possibly. But many people, such as myself (a software engineer and manager) don't think like that. We encourage the natives to interact as Canadians. Canadians are Canadians, no matter their skin, language, beliefs, and all else. Period. Were the natives to make a good public attempt at this they would win the respect of a great many people, including their own. Respectfully,
This situation is going exactly as I predicted a few days ago. There is no headway being made by either side. The DFO is trying to enforce the law, while the Native fishermen say that no law applies to them. They say that the government should "just listen to what we have to say," yet they refuse to negotiate with the government. They deserve their "fair share" of the resource? They don't want the resource, they want a share of the 1/2 billion dollars involved. What is a "fair share?" It seems that their fair share is whatever they want to take, when they want to take it. What they do not realize is that this industry is not 1/2 billion dollars of profit. Each fisherman goes into debt for upwards of a million dollars to secure boat, gear, crew and a licence (which costs more than a new boat). When the season is over, these fishermen are not swimming in money. Some are able to make a good living, others are not. Plus, the DFO is very rigid in its imposition of restriction on both plant operators and fishermen. But the natives "deserve" to bypass all of this. They claim to be the poorest of the poor. But why is this? Is there somebody that is oppressing these people, keeping them poor? What is restricting them from working just like millions of other citizens of this country? Nothing. There is absolutely nothing keeping a native citizen from going out and finding a job. I am positive that a native person is equally as capable of working, starting his/her own business, and being successful as any other Canadian. As for being the poorest of the poor, watch what you say. Just last summer we were all witness to the uncovering of a native band near Yarmouth, NS, where the band chief was collecting close to $500,000 in that one year for the privelege of being the leader. While the rest of his band, who he is supposed to be responsible for, suffers in poverty. How do you justify this? There is no justification. Nathan Blades
If the protesters were "white people," they would all be in jail. When do we stop treating natives differently? Have we not paid enough? Paul Venn
I think what the Burnt Church natives are doing is wrong. They say the "white man" has stolen their resource. HOGWASH! If memo |