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[The Gilly]

Check out the Vancouver Sun today.  A very interesting article on the Cheam band's chief telling the Williams Inquiry that they won't cooperate with DFO, they won't follow the rules set forth, an they won't allow inspection of their catch.  Funny, I've always been told that if you are obeying the law , you have nothing to hide.  Seems to me that the Cheam are their own worst enemy.  If they would cooperate and work with the system, there would be no (or very few) fingers pointed their way.  They are part of the overall problem, but, not all of the problem.  I hope this Williams Inquiry finds some answers and forces the Feds to act responsibly. 

[Terry Bodman]

In another area of this board both Lew and I have expressed our frustrations after attending much of the inquiry. While Williams had his objectivity questioned prior to the start of the iquiry, I now have great empathy for him specifically and the inquiry board generally. How do you have a positive meeting when the opening remarks by two speakers at the Chilliwack session accused the board of "aboriginal bashing" and "racial profiling." These kinds of remarks certainly set the tone, don't they?

 Immediately following the remarks noted above came the statement, "welcome to our territory." As an observer, I found it very difficult to remain objective through the remainder of the day.

These remarks came despite Williams making it very clear that the inquiry board through evidence is charged with the responsibility of fact finding regarding the missing fish in four areas:

1. Effect of the purported high temperatures.
2. Accuracy of counting at Mission.
3. Whether or not there is illegal fishing
4. The quality of fisheries management by DFO

As stated earlier, I have my doubt that the recommendations made by this Inquiry Board will be specific enough to actually address their mandate. The big question, will government act at the conclusion of all this? 

[2:40]

Cheam band to defy fishing bans on Fraser

Scott Simpson
Vancouver Sun

Tuesday, February 22, 2005


CHILLIWACK -- A Fraser Valley Indian band will continue to reject all efforts by the federal Fisheries Department to protect Fraser River salmon, even if the government orders fishing closures as a means of protecting stocks threatened with collapse or extinction, a fisheries review panel heard Monday.

Former Cheam chief June Quipp told a review panel headed by retired B.C. Supreme Court chief justice Bryan Williams she is concerned the panel's work is casting an unreasonable amount of suspicion that first nations are responsible for the failure of about 100,000 Stuart River sockeye to reach spawning grounds last summer.

She said the Cheam have already begun fishing around the clock and will continue through November. She said they will do so in defiance of government-ordered openings and closures -- and that the 400-member band does not "have the kill-power to deplete or extinguish the stocks."

So far the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been unable to explain why only 9,000 early-run Stuart sockeye made it to spawning grounds in northern B.C., even though review testimony in Kamloops and Prince George suggested the migrating fish were in good shape when they travelled through lower parts of the river.

It was the lowest return in 60 years.

Quipp said allegations about intensive poaching by the Cheam are inaccurate and said accusations are "racial profiling of the worst kind."

"I'm really hoping this is going to be a fair review," Quipp told Williams and 12 panel members representing commercial, sport and aboriginal fishers and conservation groups.

The review opened earlier this month in Kamloops and continues today in Richmond.

Williams said panelists are seeking to flesh out four "rumours" about the reasons the fish failed to reach their spawning grounds on the Stuart River in the north. The panel is also charged with looking at other potential sockeye migration failures in the Fraser system.

Higher-than-normal water temperatures are alleged to have caused massive die-offs among salmon already stressed by the rigours of migration.

Other suggestions include the possibility that fisheries scientists grossly overestimated the size of the return.

Illegal fishing, which Williams described as a "big factor," is also being examined, as are allegations that the federal government does not provide enough funding to effectively monitor the fishery.

Under questioning from Williams, Quipp revealed the band does not allow fisheries officers to attend Cheam fish-landing sites along the Fraser unless the officers first contact the band and announce they plan an inspection.

Fisheries officer Scott Laverty suggested there was no distinction between the so-called food fishery, designed to deliver a modicum of salmon for food, societal and ceremonial purposes, and Indian commercial fishing.

The review also was told the department is struggling with a major shift in the way aboriginals fish the river with drift nets. Drift nets ride the current down the river and catch more fish than traditional nets that are anchored to specific location.

Officers seized 171 illegal nets in 2004 compared to 130 in 2002 and 125 in 2003.

The department ceased all policing of Cheam in May, 2003, after two officers were pepper-sprayed and confined inside their vehicle for several hours when attempting to arrest a Cheam member for illegal fishing.

The department has gradually reintroduced enforcement against the Cheam, with the aid of RCMP.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005

[Fish Assassin]

I'm sick to my stomach reading this crap from the Cheam Indian Band

[Addicted To Steel]

Are we not all people of this Earth? Why should any one group of people be treated differently than any others? We should all have to go by the same rules, laws and principles in order to protect this fine land water and air we all share. It is discriminatory for our government to enforce laws on some and not others. When will they see the light? If it is not solved soon things are going to get ugly. The government needs to grow some balls and DEAL WITH THE B.S.!

[Rodney]

Nice.... This will be an interest summer.

the 400-member band does not "have the kill-power to deplete or extinguish the stocks."

^Based on what evidence?

Quipp revealed the band does not allow fisheries officers to attend Cheam fish-landing sites along the Fraser unless the officers first contact the band and announce they plan an inspection.

^What country is this I am in right now?

She said the Cheam have already begun fishing around the clock and will continue through November. She said they will do so in defiance of government-ordered openings and closures.

Gilly Said, Seems to me that the Cheam are their own worst enemy. and that's exactly right. So much for making attempts to compromise so all user groups can ensure the resource is sustainable.

[Steelhawk]

These natives know how to play the card of the 'white guilt'.  They play it to the Canadian public, and to the world.  They just know that our government does not have the stomach to stand up to them, for fear that another Indian standoff will make it to international press, and tarnish our reputation as a fair, gentle, and peaceful country. At what price, salmon extinction. Who in the world care if our salmon go extinct. But if our government bear down on the natives, the world press/opinion will cream this country and no politicians want to bear the responsibility. That is why the natvies are acting the way they are. Amen to the salmon. When they are extinct, the natives will be tree huggers and claim all forests belong to their forefathers. 

[The Gilly]

Amen to the salmon. When they are extinct, the natives will be tree huggers and claim all forests belong to their forefathers. 

Then they'll clear cut it for profit.  The poachers I mean, not all natives.  Lets be clear about this.  This issue is not about native rights, it's about profit.  A small group of natives claim a right to wipe out the fishery so they can make a profit.  The rest of the natives should be outraged and stop supporting this group under the guise of "native rights".  Native rights should only uphold the right to fish the traditional way, making room only for safety and modern equipment like synthetic nets instead of cedar or leather nets.  And no rights extended to any other native from any other part of the country.  No Metis or Mohawk should have the right to fish in BC.

[keithr]

Addicted to Steel got it right:  "The government needs to grow some balls."  You guys are pretty easy to bluff.  There are probably only about a dozen of these abusers who need to have their butts kicked up between their shoulder blades, and EVERYBODY would be better off for it."  No matter the color of the skin, a fish hog is a fish hog, and only other fish hogs don't detest them.

[reeler]

It's the way we are as a Country. We love to be held to ransom by squeegee kids, pitbull owners and fish poachers. It won't change. The last thing the feds want is a bloody confrontation on the Fraser .Once again this summer, DFO will make a token show for the media and then turn their backs on the groups who will "fish" around the clock with drift nets. How many eggs from the 9000 returning fish will hatch, survive  and return. They don't care. It's not a "food" or "ceremonial fishery",it's fish for sale while they last. Every year, Ottawa wishes that this annual pain would just go away,  the salmon disappear and we all get used to farmed fish. When the provincial liberals are re-elected in a couple of months, hundreds of pending fish farm licences will be fast-tracked. Enjoy it while you can....and don't be moving those shopping carts from the lower Capilano!- they might get mad enough to block the Squamish highway in 2010.
While your'e at it- get ready to cut a big cheque to compensate the Musqueams. After all these years, now that the River Rock casino is doing so well....that's right- they want it.  Happy days.

[pepsitrev]

   sick and tired of all this cheam poop.they should get a grip and get on with life.see waht happens when you drink coke.lol