Anglican Communion News Service

The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples has condemned "the violence, threats of violence, and intimidation tactics used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans" in the Burnt Church lobster fishery dispute, in a statement released here today.

"Such control tactics disrespect the human rights and endanger the lives of the people of Burnt Church, while undermining the very possibility of establishing an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and resolution of the dispute," the statement reads. "In this day and age, such antiquated 'Cowboys and Indians' approaches...cannot be tolerated."

The Rt. Reverend Gordon Beardy, bishop of the Diocese of Keewatin, visited the Burnt Church community at the end of September. The statement was prepared after members of the Council had heard his eyewitness account, which they say confirms that Burnt Church is "a community under siege." Although the immediate crisis appears to have passed, the statement notes "the deep tensions and injustices underlying the dispute at Burnt Church are far from over."

"Bishop Beardy witnessed firsthand children being traumatized by the continual presence of helicopters circling overhead," the statement reads. "He heard stories of women who watched in horror as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans rammed native boats, threatening the lives of native fishers, and confiscating their traps. He spoke with young men who were nightly harassed and intimidated by the RCMP, and with community members who lived in mounting fear of violent reprisals from non-native fishers."

The Council says the government "should fully inform Canadians concerning the historical and legal facts related to the dispute at Burnt Church."

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a treaty gives the Mi'kmaq people the right to fish, but the government has continued to act as if no such right exists. It says the government must move immediately to conduct nation-to-nation negotiations "to ensure an equitable sharing of resources between First Nations and the larger Canadian society."

The 19-member Council represents Indigenous Anglicans in 17 dioceses (regions) of Canada. It works to renew Indigenous spiritual and cultural traditions and support self-determination for Indigenous peoples.