The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy

September 18, 2001

The Right Honourable Jean Chretien
Prime Minister's Office
Ottawa, Ontario
Fax: 613-941-6900

Dear Prime Minister Chrétien:

We are writing to share with you The United Church of Canada's concern about the ongoing lack of resolution of the treaty fishing rights of the Burnt Church / Esgenoopetitj First Nation. We are concerned that the lack of resolution of this issue is once again leading to escalating tensions and violence in the region, and the very real possibility of the loss of human life, as evidenced in the gunfire exchange on the evening of September 16.

At its 37th General Council (national gathering) in August 2000, The United Church of Canada adopted the following resolution:

That the 37th General Council of The United Church of Canada:

2. Exhort the Government of Canada to sit down respectfully, Nation to First Nation, and develop a fishery policy which acknowledges the Sparrow and Marshall Supreme Court decisions, and the right of both Nations to a fishery in Canada [... and]
4. Express our regret and shame that the Government of Canada has caused fear and insecurity in the community of Esgenoopetitj.

We are concerned that the lack of resolution about the Mi'kmaq treaty right to a fishery for a moderate livelihood, affirmed in the Marshall decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, is contributing to current escalating tension and violence at Burnt Church. We are gravely concerned, furthermore, by reports that despite public commitments made in August by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that they would ensure everyone's safety in this situation, the RCMP (along with Fisheries Officers) have stood by while violent confrontations (including exchange of gun fire) occurred on September 16.

We call upon the federal government to continue and expedite good-faith negotiations with the Esgenoopetitj and other Mi'kmaq communities, to resolve the treaty fisheries issue in accordance with the direction of the Supreme Court in Marshall. We also call on the federal government to ensure that the safety of the public, and particularly that of the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in surrounding communities who report being subjected to gunfire. It is imperative that the federal government send a clear message, before lives are lost, that violence in this situation will not be tolerated.

We offer our prayers and commitment to help build public understanding and support for a non-violent response and solution to the crisis at Burnt Church. We urge you, in turn, to put every effort into negotiating a process towards a non-violent, speedy and just settlement.

Respectfully Yours,
Marion Pardy

c.c. Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
and Hon. Robert Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs