CPTnet
August 15, 2002
by Bob Holmes

NEW BRUNSWICK: CPT ends commitment at Esgenoopetij

The Band Council of the Esgenoopetij First Nation (EFN) and Canada's
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) have agreed in principle to end the 
three year standoff over the exercise of Mi'kmaq Aboriginal fishing rights
in Burnt Church, New Brunswick, rights protected by treaties, entrenched in
the Canadian Constitution Act and recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada.

The exercise of these fishing rights in the summers of 1999, 2000 and 2001
was the source of sometimes violent conflict between the native and
non-native lobster fishers. Federal fisheries officers responded to the
Mi'kmaq's fishing with repressive enforcement of government regulations.
The EFN invited Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) to Esgenoopetij in 2000
and again in 2001, in an attempt to reduce the violence--physical and
structural--imposed on this small native community.

I visited Esgenoopetij at the end of July 2002 to assess the need for a CPT
presence this summer. The Band Council, newly elected in May after a
contested and annulled election last fall, was held ³behind closed doors."
Rumours of an agreement were in the air everywhere. In the midst of a warm
welcome by our Mi'kmaq fisher-friends, I sensed a resignation -- equal parts
disappointment and relief -- that the fishing war was over. People
expressed gratitude for CPT's solidarity but clearly this year, with an
agreement imminent, a team would not be needed.

After gracious good-byes and arranging for the sale of the CPT trailer, I
departed for Ontario. By the time I arrived, the agreement-in-principle was
announced. The EFN Council has agreed to respect the federal right of
regulation. The federal government in turn recognizes its treaty obligation
to provide for a moderate living. It will give the EFN community another
twenty-one commercial licenses for the spring lobster fishery (they have 13
presently), increase their quota of snow crab, pay for more native boats and
underwrite training. A fall fishery for food and ceremonial purposes only,
not for sale, will be limited to 13,500 kilograms. The cost to the
government for the deal is estimated at between 20 to 25 million dollars
over two years.

Is it a good deal or a bad one? Is it a re-negotiation of treaty rights or
an extinguishing of Aboriginal fishing rights? Will it bring peace or will
the conflict continue - with angry non-native fishers, with dissident native
fishers? Whichever, CPT respects the right of the members of the EFN
community to decide their own future and is grateful for the opportunity we
were given to stand with them in their lonely, courageous fight for their
way of life.

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Canadian and U.S. churches committed to active peacemaking, which prepares small teams to intervene in violent and militarized regions using active nonviolence. Contact CPT, PO Box 72063, 1562 Danforth Ave., Toronto ON M4J 5C1, ph 416-423-5525, fax 416-423-9213, email cptcan@web.ca; or CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, ph 312-455-1199, fax 312-432-1213, email cpt@igc.org.  To join CPTNET, visit us on the WEB: www.cpt.org