http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=n110217A November 2, 2004 - 16:14 N.B. government demands native loggers get permits, or face prosecution
CHRIS MORRIS FREDERICTON (CP) - The New Brunswick government says aboriginal loggers will have to abide by a new permit system for harvesting wood, or face prosecution. Keith Ashfield, New Brunswick's natural resources minister, said Tuesday the province is concerned that some native loggers are abusing treaty rights upheld in recent court decisions by cutting wood for personal gain rather than personal use. "If they are not willing to go ahead with a permit system, we will bring charges," Ashfield said. Native leaders are furious about the province's get-tough stance. They say they were not consulted ahead of time, though Ashfield disputed that on Tuesday, saying there have been discussions about the issue. "It's not acceptable," said Chief George Ginnish of the Eel Ground First Nation, demanding that Ashfield meet with the chiefs. "We're willing to try and work out something that's mutually acceptable, but don't try to enact something by yourself and then expect us to support it." Ashfield said he is willing to meet with the chiefs. Last week, Ashfield sent a letter informing native communities that they must immediately stop all harvesting of trees for personal use unless they first obtain a permit from the province. Ashfield said provincial enforcement officers have observed native loggers taking wood that is clearly for commercial use. Recent court decisions in New Brunswick, which the province is appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada, have upheld treaty rights for aboriginal people to harvest wood from Crown lands for their personal use. The New Brunswick government wants the Supreme Court to define what is meant by personal use. But until that time, Ashfield said he is trusting the observations of enforcement officers who say some native loggers are taking more than their fair share. "The permitting system allows us to designate areas where people can go in and cut," Ashfield said. "We have no objections with them (native loggers) harvesting for personal use but it's very important that we have a system in place where there's some control in order to guarantee sustainability." The minister made his comments as he emerged from a special sensitivity training session for members of the New Brunswick legislature and government officials. Last month, T.J. Burke, the only aboriginal member of the legislature, complained that some government members were taunting him by calling him names like "Tonto" and "Teepee." The sensitivity session was to educate elected members on the history and culture of First Nations people. Ashfield attended the session. Burke, a member of the Opposition Liberals, said New Brunswick's Conservative government will never be able to settle disputes with the province's First Nations communities until it is ready to enter into meaningful dialogue. "The treaty has been the permit, historically speaking, and the courts have said this," Burke said. "The province ought to know that without proper consultation and without sitting down with the chiefs, no real solutions will be attained in terms of allowing access to the forests." Rolland Pangowish Advocacy Associates Indigenous Policy Development 1436 Cheverny Crescent Orleans, Ontario K4A 3C8 Telephone: (613) 830-2398 Cellular: (613) 324-4649 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/xLHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Interesting websites or pages. www.kahonwes.com Best Mohawk Site on the web www.frostys.qc.ca Website of Computer Products www.kcnativecommunity.org www.globeandmail.com www.canadianaboriginal.com Ecellent Site www.tuscaroras.com http://pub61.ezboard.com/biroquoistrail16914 www.tekanews.com http://nativenewsonline.org/ www.indigenations.com/index.shtml www.indiancountry.com http://dreamkeepers.net www.transformcolumbusday.org www.owlstar.com www.nanews.org www.redwiremag.com www.treatycouncil.org www.destination.ca/~curybuck ( French Language ) www.ubcic.bc.ca www.nativeheritage.net www.un.org/News/ www.bloorstreet.com/200block/rsparrow.htm www.bloorstreet.com/200block/rguerin.htm www.indigenousmedia.org www.nativegiftbaskets.com/ Material for read-only purposes and may not be further distributed, published or broadcast without prior written permission of the owner. Please use links as much as possible and subscribe to them to get complete details. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frostysamerindian/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
