CPTnet
September 23, 2000
ESGENOOPETITJ Urgent Action: Fishery under threat

At 11:00am on Friday morning several hundred members of the Esgeno�petitj
First Nation (EFN) prayed at the shore of Miramichi Bay along with their
supporters from across Canada. Community elders gave blessings and offered
tobacco; the entire gathered assembly joined hands and sang the Mi'qmac
honor song.

The prayer ceremony took place against a backdrop of potential violence.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had set 11:00am Atlantic TIme
as the deadline for EFN fishers to have all of their lobster traps out of
the water. Herb Dahliwal, head of the DFO, continued to threaten the use of
force, insisting that the DFO would remove the traps if native fishers did
not. The Canadian army has been put on standby and could raid or blockade
the community at any time.

With the possibility of imminent violence here, the Esgeno�petitj
community and elders have asked Christian Peacemaker Teams to send this
urgent action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

--The community is requesting volunteers to act as third party
observers. The local gymnasium is being cleared for sleeping space and
meals will be provided. If you can come, bring sleeping gear and any
personal items you will need. For more info, contact the CPT
Esgeno�petitj team at 1-506-779-5886

--Contact the Canadian officials below and express your concern about the
excessive force that the DFO has been using and has threatened to use in
this dispute. Let the officials know that you are following the situation
and express your desire that it be resolved peacefully.

WHOM TO CONTACT:
--Ottawa Command Center
613/993-4970
ask for Burnt Church Fishery

-- Wayne Wouters, Deputy Minister of Fisheries
tel 613/236-5265
fax 506/773-5416

-- Jim Jones, Regional DFO Head
tel - 506/773-5412
fax - 606/851-9536