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der=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%> First Nations Briefs
MAY 8, 2000

NATIONAL:
A majority of Canadians polled say Christian Churches must pay restitution for Native victims abused at residential schools. 53% believe the churches should sell property to pay abuse claims, but 80% believe Ottawa should help the Churches if they fall into bankruptcy. The Anglican Church is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Anglican Church relying on Ottawa for financial survival (CP 5/7)
Churches must pay abuse victims: poll (The National Post 5/6)
Related story: Children used as guinea pigs (First Nations 4/26)

SASKATCHEWAN:
Margie Pratt Turo and Cheryl Soucy apologized for their widely publicized shouting match outside a Saskatoon courtroom where two white police officers faced charges over an incident involving a Native man. Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Federation of Police doesn't want the two officers to lose their pay until they are convicted. The federation wants the Saskatchewan Police Act changed. The officers are currently on suspension without pay.
Apologies offered over racially-charged argument (CBC 5/5)
Cops shouldn't lose pay unless convicted: association (CBC 5/5)

NEW BRUNSWICK:
Native fishermen kept on fishing this past week, setting lobster traps and defying orders by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The DFO continues to try to negotiate with native leaders over issuing tags to lobster fishermen throughout the maritimes.
Native fishermen set lobster traps in N.B. (CBC 5/7)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
In related fisheries news, the Abegweit Mi'kmaq band is giving back its lobster licenses to the DFO. The band said non-Native fisherman have threatened to sink their boats and cut their traps. The license was part of a federal government buy-back program designed to increase Native participation in the fishery.
Native band abandons lobster license (CBC 5/5)

BRITISH COLUMBIA:
First Nations residents held a march along the Pacific Rim Highway in protest of Clayoquot Sound being designated a UN biosphere reserve. Native protest greets Chretien (CBC 5/5)