Where does it stop? Setting a precedent like this is very disturbing to me as a Canadian citizen and avid angler, hunter, outdoorsman and father of children who I hope will carry on my beliefs about the protection and love of our valued lands and waters. An injunction like this is like opening a can of worms. There are plenty of other bands in Canada who will be keeping an eye on the success of this injunction with hopes of accomplishing the same in their areas and their claims. Perhaps we will see the same come hunting season. What is to stop them from putting an injunction against the hunters of Canada. I'm sure they need to eat all of those animals up in the hills to right?
Perhaps not though, they will have a tougher time selling wild animal meat, unlike the quick windfall of money they make from the illegal fish sales.
If the RCMP, DFO and other governing bodies took the time to watch, assess, and enforce the amounts of fish the Natives took from our waters and what they did with the fish after the fact, the sport and commercial fishers would not have as many ill feelings towards the natives as they do. The fact is, the Natives have been given to many fish and too much freedom to do what they want with that fish.
The enforcement needs to be two fold; make sure the Natives take what they are allowed, and make sure they use the fish for what they are supposed to be used for.
100% food and ceremonial use is B.S. and we all know it. Sure there is the need for that, we don't argue this, but the amount of fish they want and take far surpasses what they could possibly need for their food and ceremonial needs.
Thanks to all who take the time to keep us all informed on what is going on with these issues.
We're all Canadians, stand up for our rights, and support the ones who fight for them on our behalf.