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Esgenoopetitj Update: September 17-30

Sunday, September 17
Two CPTers attended a rally of non-native fishers and their families that was open to all people of good will in Neguac. The MP who spoke at the rally said that the federal government was doing everything they can, and was heckled. Several non-native fishers stated that if the government didn't do their job and remove the traps, they would do it.

Monday, September 18
Therewas a lot of tension in the community of Esgenoopetitj as a result of the threats from Sunday's rally. Pierre Shantz and a member of the Aboriginal Rights Commission Observer team (ARC) went to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) station to hold the authorities accountable and demand that they investigate the threats made at the rally.

Tuesday, September 19
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced that they would be removing all traps from the water in the near future. There was no action on that threat. Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, who accepted the role of mediator in the dispute, met with all parties long into the night.

Wednesday, September 20
The band agreed to work with RCMP and DFO to remove all untagged traps from the bay. In the community, it is thought that most of these untagged traps belong to non-native fishers (most Native traps have Esgenoopetitj First Nation tags).

The CPT team learned that hundreds of white fishers tried to take off from Neguac wharf on Tuesday night for an assault on the Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN.) The RCMP blocked the wharf and no one took to the water. Today, Jamey Bouwmeester and Shantz went to check for any activity on the Neguac wharf. They were immediately recognized by the RCMP officers stationed at the entrance to the wharf and were barred from going further. "You have no business here," stated one officer.

A press conference was held on the water. Chief Dedam condemned the government for lacking patience and flexibility in negotiations. Former First Nations' National Chief Ovide Mercredi called on everyone to pray for peace. Several CPTers called home to start prayer circles among their home communities.

Thursday, September 21
Bob Rae abandoned the mediation process and left the community. He said that the parties are too far apart on the issues for an effective mediation. DFO Minister Dahliwal set a deadline of Friday at 11:00am for all native traps to be pulled from the bay, after which the DFO would come in to confiscate any that were left. Tension rose as word came that the Canadian army was on standby, ready to come into Esgenoopetitj if there was any confrontation.

The Clan Mothers made strong appeals for peace and asked that people from EFN stay off the water if DFO or RCMP come to pull traps. They made it clear that they did not want any confrontation or violence on the water.

At 4pm, there was an attempt to do a trap count. Observers from ARC and CPT, a chartered accountant, and the Esgenoopetitj Rangers were involved. The RCMP was supposed to participate, but after initial agreement, DFO objected to RCMP involvement in the counts. The trap count had to be called off after only a few minutes because of rough weather.

Friday, September 22
The community was called together to the Learning Centre to organize a human chain along the shore of the bay for a prayer service. At 11 am (DFO;s deadline) the service began. Hundreds of people participated -including representatives from First Nations across Canada.

Saturday, September 23
In the very early morning there were reports of shots being fired at the school in Esgenoopetitj. The shots were fired by non-native fishers, who were taken into custody by the RCMP. Three firearms, alcohol and marijuana were confiscated from the fishers.

Monday, September 25
The DFO raided at 10:40 am. Fourteen boats and two helicopters participated in the raid, including several coast guard vessels and RCMP boats carrying officers in full riot gear. The DFO pulled traps very quickly for ten minutes, until several boats from Esgenoopetitj went out to meet them and they retreated en masse. It was soon discovered that the DFO and RCMP had called a press conference in Neguac at the exact time of the raid in order to draw the media away from the bay.

Thursday, September 28
Another one hour raid occurred, consisting of the DFO boats circling and drawing community boats further from shore. Scott Morton spoke to Canadian Press photographer who expressed his disgust at the waste of time and money by DFO and RCMP.

Friday, September 29
William Payne went to court to set a date for the trial (Payne and Bob Holmes are facing charges for civil disobedience when they tried to reclaim Esgenoopetitj lobster traps stolen by the DFO). The trial will be held in Neguac, March 12-16.

Two more raids occurred, with the RCMP boats circling Esgenoopetitj boats at high speed. There were several near collisions.