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MARCH 21, 2001

First Nations Chiefs in the maritimes are protesting new fishing rights agreements proposed by the federal government and on Tuesday said they won't sign them unless changes are made.

Last year, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans signed one-year agreements with a number of Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations regulating their treaty-protected fishing rights. Now, DFO wants the First Nations to sign three-year agreements which they say go too far.

The leaders are giving DFO Minister Herb Dhaliwal until Thursday to consider their position.

The Supreme Court in 1999 ruled that Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations have the right to earn a moderate living from lobster trapping and other fishing. The Court, however, said the government could regulate the right.

Get the Story:
Atlantic chiefs opposed for now to signing federal fisheries agreements (AP 3/20)

Relevant Links:
The Marshall Case, Department of Fisheries and Oceans - www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/COMMUNIC/Marshall/marshall_e.htm
The Burnt Church Support Site - www.tao.ca/~beinglightbeing/burntchurch
Fishing Fury, from the CBC: cbc.ca/news/indepth/fishingfury/index.html

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