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JULY 7, 2000

The Nation of Acadian Métis Indians plans to challenge their right to fish by setting lobster traps in a secret location off the coast of New Brunswick.

Fishing rights for Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations have been upheld by the Supreme Court, although recent contention over the regulation and management of fishing has led to disputes between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Burnt Church First Nation.

Being mixed-blood, the Metis are not considered Indian by the Department of Indian Affairs. Acadian Grand Chief John Williams said "We don't believe in the idea that we're part-Indian. What part? Our toes?"

In a related note, the British Columbia Court of Appeals upheld the government's right to offer First Nations a separate commercial fishery. The group who challenged the government, the British Columbia Fisheries Survival Coalition, is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Get the Story:
Métis chief an unlikely champion of fishing rights (The National Post 6/7)
B.C. Court of Appeal upholds native commercial fishery (CP 7/6)

Indianz.Com Treaty Rights Coverage:
Fishing dispute gets heated (First Nations 06/14)
Treaty rights battle heads to court (First Nations 06/06)
Treaty rights battle continues (First Nations 06/02)
Govt seizes traps (First Nations 05/22)
Mi'kmaq test limits of treaty rights (First Nations 05/10)
Natives defy government (First Nations 05/08)
Treaty rights face test (First Nations 05/01)
Peacemakers arrive at fishery (First Nations 04/05)

Relevant Links:
From the CBC: Fishing Fury