By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress

Published: May 11, 2010 8:00 AM
Updated: May 11, 2010 8:19 AM

0 Comments

First Nations on the Fraser River from the Interior to the coast are calling for the resignation of federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea for failing to take immediate action to save early-run chinook.

The call for resignation was in a May 4 letter signed jointly by several community leaders after attempts failed to get DFO to completely close saltwater-based sport and commercial salmon fisheries from April to June to protect endangered chinook.

First Nations along the Fraser agreed not to fish chinook from April to June to protect the stocks as they migrate to spawning areas.

“We’ve done everything we can, and are still doing what we can to hold a unified position on this,” said Grand Chief Ken Malloway of the Sto:lo Tribal Council.

“It’s tough because our people want to go fishing.”

They’ve been holding off on fishing out of respect for the request last month to do so by Nicola Chief Fred Sampson, even though they normally start fishing in February.

“Regrettably, DFO has steadfastly refused to adopt the sweeping and necessary measures demanded by the First Nations,” according to the May 4 letter.

A spokesman for the fisheries minister said DFO continues to be “very concerned” with the decline of Fraser chinook stocks.

As a result, specific new fisheries management measures have been put in place to protect and conserve the stocks.

“The new measures will focus on fisheries that have the highest potential impacts on chinook stocks of concern, including the recreational fishery in specific areas of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Fraser River and Thompson River, as well as First Nation food, social and ceremonial fisheries in the lower Fraser River,” said DFO spokesman John Morris. “These measures will include targeted fisheries closures and other restrictions.”

The closures are seen as the best way to go.

“DFO, based on the available science, believes these measures offer the best solution to effectively protect and conserve chinook stocks of concern, with the minimum possible disruption to fisheries that have low or no impacts on these stocks.”

But the spot closures simply aren’t enough, Malloway said.

The joint letter stated the First Nations leaders “want and expect” DFO to shut down all marine sport and commercial fisheries that could impact the chinook resource.

Many believe the chinook stocks have plummeted to the point where some could face extirpation if something is not done immediately to protect them, Malloway said.

They have, however, agreed to wait and hold off from fishing until meetings with DFO officials get underway in Richmond next week.

The fact is they’ve been dealing with serious chinook concerns for a few years now, he underlined.

“We used to fish three days a week, and were asked to cut it down to two, and then again down to one day. We agreed to that.”

Then came the request to cut off eight weeks in the first part of their fishing season.

“It’s very frustrating.”

i don't think they should be allowed to fish salmon in the river the ancestors didn't have gillnets.stay out of the river and everything will turn out ok.it's not the sportfishers catching a few out of the straights.Scooping them out of the river by the truckload prespawn,for what,ceremonies,for money, we all know it just nobody has the balls to put it on them.

Well I have to disagree with you on a couple points. Firstly first nations DID gill net way back. The nets were made of cedar that was woven and corks were drift wood ect. and rocks lashed on for weight. These nets were made for beach seining also. Of course dip nets, spears and fish weirs were also used. Just correcting you.

Secondly, as a sport fisherman i think we all have to conserve . We are out on the water also and that adds to the chinooks being taken.


This conservation measure is for all to obide by. If first nations ,sportys and commercial guys don't, say good bye to the chinook and other salmon species.

Also, first nations are not the only ones fishing on the Fraser. Heavy poaching is also being done by NON- natives too. Its not just one race leading to the extinction of the chinook. The demand for fraser river salmon is high and both native and non- native want to make money.

If first nations want salmon for ceromonies its there ancestry right to go out an get some..providing there are enough..I have a few friends that are native and i can tell you the fish being taken are going to these ceromonies(potlaches). Sure there are some dishonest natives out there, but not any more than any other race.

It sounds to me you have some issues with the natives and are just plain against them in general.

The first nations people i know will not fish if there are not enough spawners to make it upstream. they understand the importance of conservation and not to take from the sea if the species are not in abundance.

True, there are a few sto-lo and and few bands up the fraser that don't listen and still take, but generally most natives conserve.

As stated, I have a few bros that are native and they only fish when DFO says they can.

lets all get along

Good post and points fisherboy, but you might be reading into something that isn’t there?

Nets, yes! Traps, yes! Various other methods, yes! Gill nets, NO! If not mistaken, while gill netting has been around for over three thousand years, gill nets were first introduced by immigrant fishermen from northern Europe and the Mediterranean in the salmon fisheries of Columbia River in the 1860s. There were no ‘gill nets’ prior to that on the North American Pacific Coast. I not sure it is appropriate to compare, relate, or call, “North America, aboriginal fishermen used cedar canoes and natural fibre nets, e.g., made with nettels or the inner bark of cedar. They would attach stones to the bottom of the nets as weights, and pieces of wood to the top, to use as floats. This allowed the net to suspend straight up and down in the water. Each net would be suspended either from shore or between two boats”, to a synthetic gill net - not developed until the 1960s? But, that is IHMO!

Concerning the Stó:lō First Nation. There would not be a Native American that is a Stó:lō, rather they are a Band member belonging to that organization and there are two different ones. Both are very much a ‘political’ organization formed by the different bands of the Fraser Valley. It is quite a complicated and an interesting story! Some are part of the treaty process (Stage IV) and others have withdrawn all together – but none currently has a treaty with Canada. Depending on which members you are discussing. If they are part of the Sto:lo Tribal Council (Chawathil, Cheam, Kwantlen, Kwaw-kwaw-Apilt, Scowlitz, Seabird Island, Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation, and Soowahlie) they have chosen NOT to participate in the treaty process at this time.

http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/firstnation/stolo/default.html
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/prodis/grtco ... x4-eng.asp
http://www.stolonation.bc.ca/useful-lin ... -links.htm

I very much agree with... "lets all get along"!

Good post and points fisherboy, but you might be reading into something that isn’t there?


I am only responding to the other posters negative comments on the natives. Period.

As for the gill nets. Personally, it doenst matter the method off the harvest for these people its is there ansestry right to fish and get these fish in any means possible. Gill nets were used well before the 1960's believe me.

You got to remember pre-european, the natives had a abundent amount of fish of all species.Fish weirs,spears and dip nets did a very good job of getting the fish needed, so nets were not needed right away. However, through the years it was developed as a alternate means to catch fish. Nets were not used in all areas either it was just in a few places.

It was the europeans who over fished with the new equipment,boats nets ect ect ect. that led to the dimise of the salmon and all other ocean species that is eatable. And this still goes on today. These natives are a minority when it comes to fishing.

Now, the runs have depleted so badly people are blaming the natives. Go figure.
These people are only doing what they've done for thousands of years, Fish and try to survive through the winter.

I just get sick and tired of people blaming these people for all that has gone wrong in the fishing industry. The blame is everywhere.

have a good day

I understand that and agree there is no reason to blame the natives. In fact, in recent years most First Nations, Tribes, Bands, and Indians are doing more than Canada (DFO), trying to save the salmon! And, this is more for clarification and information than anything – I am NOT disputing or condoling anything!


As far as gill nets prior to 1960… that would be the use of synthetic gill nets not developed until the 1960s? If I am not mistaken… gill nets were first used in the 1860s? So I do assure that gill nets were in use prior to the 1960s! I am NOT disputing or condoling their use either. They have a place and a purpose, but should NOT be misused!


I will throw in the ‘ancestry rights’ here! Is it an ancestry right to continue the decimation of an entire species? (e.g. Fraser 4 sub 2) I personally do not believe anyone has that right and would also venture to say – neither does many of the First Nations and others trying to save the runs; however, to anyone thinking it is their given ”RIGHT”, is WRONG!


No, commercial fishing actually started with the Hudson Bay Company, where do you think they got their fish? The demise of the fisheries is the blame of “ALL” of us, especially through the mismanagement of the resources and one can’t blame the natives for that! However, who’s fixing the problem?

If you think natives are a minority when it comes to fish… you might want to start looking closer? They very much have priority, with the exception of conservation. That’s already been to the Supreme Court.

Now… the pre Europeans, and again referring to rights. One might want to do some reading on that, also? Who actually discovered Americas and who was the first here is NOT as clear-cut as some believe and is debated as we speak. Where does one really want to start? Does anyone really know? One can start reading here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovis_culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_Hill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Caves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topper_(ar ... gical_site)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadowcroft_rockshelter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Verde
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cueva_Fell

Alternatively, one can just skip to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solutrean_hypothesis
So who REALLY knows knows? But, I would NOT use “I” was here first anymore!


So do I! As stated – the blame is with us ALL!

Now if you really get bored and want to see just how complicated things are regarding “Indian” rights? I suggest you start reading the Proclamation of 1763! It diffidently gives the First Nations, Tribes, Bands, and Indians “RIGHTS”, still NOT currently resolved!

You have a great day, also!

Are you a lawyer by chance..lol


First Nations have PRIORITY for salmon, this is true. Providing there are sufficient numbers of fish to sustain a food or cerimonial fishery. This will always be the way, is what I was getting at. Aboriginal Ancesters have been fishing BC waters for thousands of years pre european...It is there right!
They should get priority and the government of Canada ..agrees.

Sorry, I dont have the time to quote all the native rights as you've done.Great job.good research.


No, commercial fishing actually started with the Hudson Bay Company, where do you think they got their fish? The demise of the fisheries is the blame of “ALL” of us, especially through the mismanagement of the resources and one can’t blame the natives for that! However, who’s fixing the problem?

If you think natives are a minority when it comes to fish



Who do you think the Hudson Bay company was run by? hehe.. they were of european decendency...right? oh dam maybe i should have checked.

Natives are a minority in Canada just over 1 million nation wide..now you dont have to look up the exact Number and correct...hehe it a ESTIMATE.

Natives fishing are a MINORITY on the west coast..I dont know whats happening back east but here its a minority.

The NON Natives far out number natives out on the water fishing for sure. True, they have first priority, but the numbers are GREATLY in favour of us non -natives.
This creates pressure on the runs and there sustainability.

Its is just a matter of time before the natives are given exclusive rights to fisheries coast wide(dependent of run size). Its comming. There are far to many boats(commercial,sport) on the water putting pressure on excisting stocks. DFO would probably like to eliminate the non native commercial sector in the future and have a native only commercial fishery in the future. This is much easier to monitor the run size with smaller fleet and the cost factor way down. This is already taking place on the Fraser with a native only commercial openings. It will eventually spread througout the coast.

If the run size is only big enough to allow for a food fishery from the natives, this is what will take place. Sport and commercial closed, if run size not big enough to sustain. This bothers alot of people as we our all suppose to be equal, which we are, but these people were here first and its there resource to manage with the help of DFO.

The buy backs of commercial vessels licences from the federal government is evidence of this inevibility.The government has a plan, not a very good one but they have a plan of how the fisheries will go in the future. They offered a way out for starving non native fisherman and force to sell out. Piss poor managemant in the 80's and 90's and fleet size way to large helped kill the industry.

How many large fraser river runs has DFO allowed the commercial sector to fish in recent years..Non hardly..20+ million sockeye a few years back and still no openings. what does that tell you...DFO is not as stupid as they want you to think. They have a plan. Starve the non natives out of the fishery.

The only problem is they've starved some natives out also. This means fewer boats for them to fish.

DFO always has a excuse of why fisherman cant fish. Even if its a record run size.



Peace and lets all conserve

You think they have rights… you obliviously have NO idea of the rights they have, or claiming! If you keep advocating their rights, maybe they will give you a break when YOUR rent comes due – TO THEM! LOL

Let me start you off with this quote, “We have never ceded or surrendered title to our lands, rights to our resources or the power to make decisions within our territory.” http://www.squamish.net/

If you think this is just about hunting and fishing, I highly suggest start doing some reading. These RIGHTS have already gone above British Columbia, the United States, and Canada, can you say the United Nations. Yes, I did include the U.S. – Some First Nations asked for amnesty and was denied. Maybe I should ask (based on UN interpretation)… How does it feel to be part of an occupying country?

If you happen to start reading you will find the Douglas Treaties 1850-54, were 14 treaties made by Governor James Douglas on Vancouver Island, with Songish, Sanetch (a subdivision of Songish), Sooke, and Nanaimo -- all interior Salishan tribes. Here’s a problem as you will also find THE government and Hudson's Bay Company blocked further BC treaties after 1854. Canada treaty-making with native tribes. had essentially ended by the early 1900's. Inuit people received no treaties. The First Nations in most of the vast northern expanse east of James Bay had no treaties, and most of the First Nations in British Columbia did not.

Now here is one for you… Guess what, British Columbia just seems to have forgotten about all the legal stuff – and they didn’t bother to buy or sign any treaties for all that land THEY kept settling, occupying, and selling? Well, when the good ole Constitution Act of 1982 included those RIGHTS given in the Proclamation of 1763, that might have created a wee-bit of a problem for British Columbia – they had NO treaties to speak of! Yep, every Indian in Canada has rights by treaty, or Proclamation of 1763! Glad that one is your problem – told you it was complicated!

Now to complicate it more the Maritime Treaties: Land taken before the 19th century was either taken without any treaty-making or by British treaties, made with peoples of the Maritime provinces and New England in the east from 1693 - 1763 . In 1763, some eastern Canada land had been designated "Indian Country" in the Royal Proclamation of 1763. Some of this on the 19th century treaties map -- is also subject to land claims and disputes. The Maritimes treaties were the pre-Canada treaty map showing the Royal Proclanation of 1763. So, does the Royal Proclamation of 1763 really apply to British Columbia? And, if it didn’t… Why did Canada put it the Constitution of 1982? Yep, you guys have a MESS!
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/royalproc.html

So, all of that just to answer the “They should get priority and the government of Canada ..agrees.” The government of Canada – may NOT have the right to interfere, even concerning conservation issues, unless they have a treaty in place! LOL

The Hudson Bay Company did indeed by salmon from the natives, and I don’t think either back then was worried or concerned about conservation, do you? Btw if you are a lover of the HBC maybe you should also do a little more research there? They were very much part of the English government. And, was the beginning of the demise of the Columbia River salmon.


There is not much in the above statement true… IHMO! I think, the only thing I can say there is WAKE-UP! The majority of British Columbia salmon are being taken by nets in their natal streams – this is proven! This is from a study completed by the University of Washington in 2009. I believe the Natives are getting the bulk of those!



Now why would say or believe that? LOL
The ‘buy-back’ of the WCVI commercial fleet, was bought and paid for by the United States… to the tune of about $100 MILLION dollars paid Canada between 1985 and 2009! And during the last treaty negations, Canada did NOT allow one representative from BC, BC commercial fleet, or First Nations. Yep they know what they are doing alright! That had/has nothing to do ‘AT ALL’ with BC salmon, WCVI commercial fleet, or the First Nations… and everything to do Canada being paid!
http://www.psc.org/pubs/treaty.pdf


You really do need to start reading? May I ask what DFO is doing to help the Fraser River ecosystem?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news! The Fraser River ecosystem is dying, which means your salmon are doomed, unless “EVERYONE” gets involved to help save it! And, THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS STOP DRAINING ALL THE WATER FOR IRRIGATION, STOP POLLUTING IT, AND QUIT DUMPING ‘RAW’ SEWAGE IN IT! Yep that is part of DFO’s responsibility and they are real smart there – they do know exactly what they are doing! Get rid of the salmon, get rid of all their other problems (including treaty negotiations enrolling salmon)… and then they are free and can concentrate all efforts on their “REAL” “MANDATE” - increase British Columbia’s Atlantic salmon FISH FARMS!

Here is some more links for you! Enjoy the read! And with this, if you don’t have it by now… I AM DONE! LOL
http://www.labrc.com/documents/Text-of- ... gement.pdf
http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/final.html
http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/legislation.html
http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/services/down/ ... s_2009.pdf

Have a great day!

Wow, you seem to have alot of time on your hand to read..lol..Lots of C@P..Sorry, I have a family to support have to work. Maybe your retired DIA worker. You seem to know alot about the treaty process.


I am simply giving my point of view. Now, I disagree on alot of your points but hey this is Canada..land of the free...BS readings or not.


True, the sockeye are on a collision course with being extinct. I know more of the Fraser than any shit you read. Ask me anything?....I am well aware of the high tempetures on the fraser and its tributaries . This leads to low dissolved oxygen and parrasites taking over and fucking with the sockeye. These fish have it tough. Its also happening at Alberni also right now.. High tempetures in the river and the world is not getting any cooler. This will continue to be a problem in the future. All creatures in the ocean are in jeapardy IMO. I never read it, i just thinked this opinion.

You seem to have your own opinion also of what the government is doing in respect to fish farms with out proof. Do you seriously think the government wants to kill off wild fish in BC to make room for fish farms....??? Sure, it would make life more easier. Land claims ect ect. But come on. Fish Farms are not welcome in most native territories.Sure, they have em on the west coast but the poor natives there have no work and fish farms offer some. Now, before you go read somewhere else and look shit up and contradict my shit, hear me out.

Why may I ask is DFO contributing funds for restoration(not much) but they are along with other fisheries projects throughout the coast. Why is the Pacific Biological Station open then? what is there purpose? DFO is a huge. They have a building I drove by in Ottawa that has 5000 workers there I was told.

The public would be in a up rise much like the nut MORTON who goes around with fish with sea lice that who knows were they were collected. Morton had no permit to collect the fish she claims were sea lice infected. Sea lice have been around forever..look it up..lol...its nothing new. The farms make a mess on the bottom, thick sludge is what is there..Ive seen it first hand. They combat this problem by moving the site from time to time to let the bottom CLEAR up as they say. The bottom feeders move in and clean the shit up the rest dispenses.


If there is enough sockeye in the Fraser the natives there are entitled to it as food. Conservation is number one of course. If theres 2 million sockeye available for example for harvest the natives can take it..period. Numbers dont mean shit...DFO puts numbers out and we all know how good DFO is at predicting run sizes ect ect. Do you wanna know how they come up with run size. A guy DFO hired sits in a office in Ottawa looks at outgoing migrating smolts counts out of the Fraser(they have floating counting traps). Comes up with a ocean survival rate(dont know how they do this) and BAM the sockeye runs size is set..He pulls the figure 12 million sockeye out his ass. of course there is only 1 million that shows up and he and DFO looks like a fool...sound familiar. This is how its done. This is right out of a DFO workers mouth(not myself) so take it for what its worth.

If you wanna believe the propaganda DFO puts out there its your choice.

Hey there Fisherboy..better get ALL your facts right before you hash it out with CHARLIE