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TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2001

The Burnt Church First Nation in New Brunswick late Monday night rejected a proposal to enter into a fisheries agreement with the federal government.

Chief Wilbur Dedam said the proposal did not respect Mi'kmaq treaty rights to fish. The offer from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans only allowed lobster fishing for food and ceremonial purposes.

The Marshall Supreme Court decision upheld the right of Mi'kmaq and Maliseet fishermen to earn a moderate living from fishing. The Court has subsequently held the government may regulate the right.

Get the Story:
Burnt Church natives turn down latest offer from Ottawa (CBC 8/28)

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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