Premier Danny Williams is slamming comments by Quebec Innu leaders, accusing them of "inciting violence" and saying the government will not tolerate illegal activity.
The premier was responding to published reports earlier this week quoting Real McKenzie, chief of the Matimekush-Lac-John Quebec Innu community.
According to Canwest News Service, McKenzie said, "It's a war that is getting underway. We are ready to fight."
Williams said the provincial government will not be intimidated.
"These words which conjure up images of violent behaviour are completely unacceptable to me personally and to our government," the premier said in a news release. "Furthermore, threats to economic development activity such as the Lower Churchill and mining projects will not be taken lightly by our government."
Meanwhile, deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale defended a decision not to send in conservation officers to stop last week's Innu protest hunt.
She said the government acted on the advice of police, because of concerns for the officers' safety.
Officials decided "the best strategy was to fall back, gather evidence and observe," said Dunderdale, who also serves as minister of natural resources.
"We were not going to go in and put human life at risk for the sake of a caribou, as valuable as a caribou might be."
Last week, an estimated 150 Quebec Innu killed roughly 250 caribou in the Cache River area of Labrador.
The hunt took place in a closed zone. The endangered Red Wine caribou herd lives there year-round. The George River herd migrates into the area.
Dunderdale said the province will continue to work on convincing Quebec Innu to respect the closed zones for the sake of conservation.
She acknowledged this has been an issue for at least four or five years, and the government has yet to convince them. "All I can do is keep on trying," Dunderdale said.
The minister referenced calls for "more radical action," but said the province is not prepared to do anything more right now.
"People say, 'Bring in the army, bring in whatever.' We're certainly not prepared to go there at this point in time."
But would she in the future?
"That's not what I'm saying at all," Dunderdale said.
"That's not where I am. I mean, people keep saying, 'You have to do something.' Well, we have to stay within the law to do whatever it is we're going to do to protect these animals and to protect human beings," she said.
The government has come under fire for the perception that Quebec Innu are going unpunished for violations that would lead to sanctions for residents of Newfoundland and Lab-rador.
But the Department of Natural Resources said since 2003, eight Innu from Labrador and 12 Innu from Quebec have been charged, with a number of files currently ongoing.
Dunderdale said Quebec Innu have previously been convicted of illegal hunting, but the department could not provide information before deadline on the number of those convictions.
rantle@thetelegram.com
Quebec Innu 'inciting violence'
Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale speaks to reporters Wednesday about the situation involving Quebec Innu crossing into Labrador to hunt caribou. - Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram
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Published on
March 4, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Rob Antle
Dunderdale defends province's handling of controversial hunt
Premier Danny Williams is slamming comments by Quebec Innu leaders, accusing them of "inciting violence" and saying the government will not tolerate illegal activity.
The premier was responding to published reports earlier this week quoting Real McKenzie, chief of the Matimekush-Lac-John Quebec Innu community.
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Comments
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- Paul
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:53
To Some People. The Americas used to belong to various disparate tribes. But it was conquered by Europeans. It no longer belongs to the previous occupants and people should get used to that reality. What has been made since is a country called Canada that provides benefits the previous inhabitants did not have, such as the ability to move all over the country to get work. Try hunting a few caribou in Cree territory back before and see what would be the penalty!!
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- Anon
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:47
They came from Russia and whiped out the Dorset. We came from Europe and nearly whiped them out. So they kill a few carribou what odds.
Hunters in this province always complain that they cant go out and their moose by but they're so quick to jump down the throats of natives who want to do the same thing.
They've been managing their own hunt longer than white men have even lived in North America I think we should just let them be. -
- mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:35
Well, I certainly think the Innu leader made the RIGHT choice of words, 'war'. The need of food, the fight for the food, it's a war. Live or dead.
No one is innocent in both side, especially those standing there making speeches. -
- Garry
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:06
Both the federal Gov and N L Gov are afraid of the all the Indian tribes.
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- member of the 20%
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:04
Minister Thunderdale, you are powerless. The Williams administration cannot call on the Feds to step in to assist as it has absolutely no rapport with Ottawa. It's as much of a national issue as it is a provincial matter and without any relationship with our Federal counterparts, we're on our own. And no-one in this province or country has the intestinal fortitude to grow spheres big enough to deal with the issue. NOTHING will be done now or in the future; look to the past...tough talk, no action. You are way in over your head in this matter and while Little Man Dan is trying to score political points by talking tough, Justice Minister Collins has all but conceded defeat by stating that it's difficult to tie an individual hunter among many, to any one of a number of slaughtered animals. My question though is, On an anonymus tip, how does a charge stick and how is a conviction gained, when a white poacher bags a moose out of season; butchers it, stocks it in his freezer, and, is fined, loses his gun, his ATV and his truck? No double standard here, no 'by.
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- mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:08
once they leave the haven of their reservations . the should come under the laws govered bythe law makers not their chiefs.
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- lb
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:03
Am I hearing everything correctly here? I can't believe what is going on. What gives anyone, regardless of race, the right to slaughter innocent animals in a closed area. I wonder who these people think they are. I don't care if you are Innu, caucasion etc etc. it really doesn't matter. I hope the Quebec Innu don't think that they have a huge fan base here in this province for what they are doing because I believe that they don't. It is time to give up and go home Quebec Innu, we don't want you here.
And as for the two levels of government, for heaven's sake, I wish someone would step up and do something. This just cannot go on and on, year after year. It is so frustrating to sit back and watch what's going on and know that nothing is being done. I can't believe it....
All I can say is: what a shame to see all those caribou lying dead in the snow and the smiles on the faces of the Quebec Innu. -
- M
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:02
You know every time i hear a story of this nature or read a report i get sicker and sicker. Why is such a big deal being made now by the govt. Who do they think they are kidding? The natives of Labrador and all across this country can do what they want and kill what they want and not be held accountable. Remember it is in there right. It is there land afterall. Us poorly whiteman took it from there forefathers and fathers before that. Isn't that what is always being slapped into our faces . Frankly i am sick of it. You have families of whites who if get caught with a spare cod from the food fishery you are fined and not allowed to fish again. We get caught with a quarter of illegal moose we lose our house not only our shirts. Do anyone see justice with this. Not me. I think it is time for us little white man to pay back and take back. Let the natives get a taste of what we are all about and the govt stay the hell out of it. They have done nothing for the past hundred years to fix this problem so why all the fallpin lips now when nothing will be done once again.
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- Rosie
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:01
Heather and Some people remarks..
My opinion is solely based on her public speaking and how un-professional she is at speaking, afterall she is Deputy premier of our province. and to Heather, how can you conclude that Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. You must be lacking something to complain about... I only voiced my opinion of how terrible she speaks in public.... If you ever took any classes in Secondary school you would have to agree with me on the Ahh thingy she has going on.... -
- Nasty
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:42
Rather then hearing these self serving political hacks spouting off at the lips, maybe they take some action for a change. I have heard far more then is needed from all levels of government and nothing else. Either put up or shut up. Your face offends me in print and television. You are not needed to be seen nor heard till you do the job properly that we the people elected you to perform.
Danny Do Little and DummerDale need to get on the plane head up there and put a little action behind these threats and intimidation. No one is falling for the talk either of them spew forth.
Failing that your resignations will be accepted. -
- Edward
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:33
Again I challenge this paper to investigate what happened to the 250 animals harvested. Should be pretty easy to determine.
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- Nasty
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:01
Newfoundland does not want an Indian Summer. Ask BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. They all have had to deal with land claims and calling in either the Army or National Police Force to deal with it. Guess what happened. After the shootings and road blocks that cost all people millions of dollars the courts side with the Native groups because the invading white people to Canada were wrong and continue to abuse power. Face it, we as non-natives are guests in this country. We took it by cheating and lying to the Natives. We continue on this path even today. No wonder we have problems.
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- Gen X
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:34
Natives and the French...
Awhile ago they lost in Wars with the British and yet today we are getting kicked around because they lost... Only in Canada does that type of idiocy occur... Take away their 'special' status and THEN see how will want to play by the rules like all the rest of us english taxpayers. -
- Frank
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:32
T from NL....your're hearing right and let's go one step further. Dunderdale also states we must stay within the law to resolve this issue. A little one sided don't you think....we must, they don't. We should do what other governments do worldwide when another nation goes it alone . Impose sanctions....simply put, No More Handouts! Maybe then the Innu will get the message.
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- jack
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:33
I doubt the Innu will have any respect for Canadian laws, we've had no problem breaking our own rules and laws when things were to our advantage.
I guess in the end they lost and so should submit to our morally superior will. -
- Proud Canadian
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:29
For any one that truly believes that the natives are stewards of the land, you are fooling yourself and perpetuating a dangerous myth. All across this nation there are blatant abuses of their so called right to harvest the land as their anscestors did. Unfortunately they are fully modernized and have become as greedy, if not more, than the white culture they learned from. No one has any right to abuse the natural resources that are dwindling around the world. If you must hunt, eat what you take and no more, this goes out to all of the cultures in the world.
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- Tim
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:31
I don't get your point Peace Pipe Smoker from Labrador.
Do you want NATO to protect the caribou? They're the guys with the jets that practiced low flying over the herds, which caused stillbirths. Bosnia is still ethnically cleansed as hundreds of thousands of Bosnian refugees never returned home. NATO is a failure. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and now it's going broke and borrowing from China. It can't afford to help the caribou. It's another failure. I still think the UN is the best bet. -
- Member of the 80%
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:58
I think it's important to remember who is breaking the law here, who is destroying the animals. It's not Ms Dunderdale, it's people from Quebec.
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- labrador non native
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:44
I say cut off all payments to them and let them live off the land....see how long it is before they comes crawling back looking for handouts!
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- Rosie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:36
Well I would certainly rather read an article then to listen to you speak it aloud.... when someone is talking and all you hear is AHH, AHH AN another AHH it makes it very boring to listen to... as I was told in college when doing public speaking do not use that word, and several more unacceptable boring words....Dunderdale obviously do not know how hard that is to listen to...nor does she know how to speak in public... I say she should avail of some public speaking courses...
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- P
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:35
She said the government acted on the advice of police, because of concerns for the officers' safety - ummm....isn't that what police officers are paid for.....to enforce laws and it is well known that this job may be dangerous?
All I can do is keep on trying, Dunderdale said - keep on trying what? Watching and doing nothing? Seems like an excellent strategy.
Well, we have to stay within the law to do whatever it is we're going to do to protect these animals and to protect human beings, she said - Right.....ummm....isn't using a police force to enforce the current laws in place staying within the law? I'm not asking you to go in and kill them....maybe just arrest them. I dunno....is that too simple? -
- Yikes
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:11
......McKenzie said, It's a war that is getting underway. We are ready to fight.
This is still Canada right ? -
- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:44
Grow some gonads government for the love of god. No wonder Quebec still has control of Churchill. And from the abuse that happened to the Conservation Officer that took too long to give back a poachers truck, well I woudn't be getting involved either. What a laughing stock we are, and then theres Cathy Thunderalde who don't know the antlers from the arse of a caribou
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- mark
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:46
Kathy Dunderdale- typical slacker comment just sit back and watch for 5 years . A endangered species is being attacked.. Thats wrong. Oh well... I guess it's human nature to destroy nature.
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- dave
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:14
Is shooting the caribou similar to the seal hunt?Where's Greenpeace when you need them
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- Victor
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:02
i always admired our native peoples for their stewardship of the land and natural resources.
That view has been dashed by the irresponsible actions of the Quebec Innu.
To endanger the survival of a caribou herd, to make a political statement is ludecris.
Additionally, the Quebec Innu say this political move is motivated because they were not included in the NL- Labrador Innu development agreement on the Lower Churchill.
So, were the Labrador Innu included in the Quebec Innu's agreements with the Province of Quebec, Hydro Quebec or the federal government?????????
Of course not. -
- A Little Respect Is
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:41
Really Member of the 80% it is the people from CANADA that committed this act. The Native People of this land do not all follow Provincial boundaries. They are a white-mans invention forced onto a sovereign people. I see this whole situation turning very ugly, very soon if not managed properly.
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- CJ is grumpy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:38
aaaaaaaa-hahahahahahahahahahaha
OMG that's funny
ForestHobbit - you da funny man! -
- Some People
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:32
Heather from Newfoundland writes: Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. As for the natives, both the Provincial and Federal governments need to take firm action to stop them from raping 'OUR' land.
Your land? I hope you have a native past to make a claim like that. You are more then likely a descendant of immigrants that came to this land and locked up and stole from the first peoples of Canada. Think they have just a few more rights to claim this land and resources then anyone of us. Your ignorance speaks volumes. -
- Tim
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:09
Newfoundland should report the Quebec Innu to the UN. Those caribou have rights and they must be protected. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Caribou Herds should be applied to the situation immediately. What's the use of Canada being a member of the UN if it's not going to uphold UN conventions?
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- Scott
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:29
Well, the Beothuks, surely a distant relative of the Innu, were bounty-hunted by the British until they extinction. Danny Williams, surely a relative of those British officials, is now red-faced because a bunch of Innus are threatening the existence of some caribou herd.
What's that Premier Williams the trader really up to? They're not inciting violence Danny boy, no boundary exists for the native people as land belongs to everyone. It's the white man who introduced this territorial concept to America.
Go back to the United States for more treatment Danny but this time get the best shrink the States have to offer. -
- L
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:16
What we are seeing is not a traditional use of animals by Aboriginal peoples. We see over hunting by Outfitters and that is not conservation. If the herd is endangered, it's endangered. It's endangered for everyone. Aboriginal people historically practiced conservation in keeping with their survival. Conservation rules are to be respected by everyone when it comes to an endangered species.
However, if this issue is bigger than conservation then let's all be honest and speak to the real issue (s). -
- I C Clearly
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:11
Stop - or we'll say ''stop'' again!
True to form, this government is long on rhetoric and short on action. Words and posturing plays well for the popularity numbers, but only action will result in meaningful change.
5 years of saying 'stop' has accomplished nothing. The toothless dragon Williams has only succeeded in adding another item to a long string of non-accomplishments.
But hey, kudos for consistancy! -
- where's
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:28
Anyone else would be heavily fined and lose whatever they got for so blatantly breaking the law.
Perhaps we could get Paul Watson or Pam Anderson to give them a stern talking to... lol! -
- Ned
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:12
One small problem. The American Indian are a conqured people, however in Canada we made peace with them under the BNA Act. This why it is such a grey area. They have signed Treaties.
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- Jean
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:18
Forest Hobbit, best one yet. Priceless!
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- mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:17
I totally object to minister Dunderdale making light of the killing of the caribou especially since there is an endangered species involved.I find it abhorrant to kill so many animals to prove a point of protest.Shame on the innu people who took part in such a slaughter,because slaughter it truly was not a hunt.The real harm done here is an invasion of our privacy comparable to a home invasion,the material things can be replaced it is the emotional harm where we lose trust in our fellow man and at times in the justice system when the criminal gets off scott free.If those criminals are not brought to task then nothing is sacred,today our animals tomorrow our forests the next day our fisheries.About time our politicians took off the rose colored glasses before the sun goes down over newfoundland and labrador.I think that i would be remiss if i didnt chastise those individuals out there who criticise the english and grammar of people making comments i am proud of them at least they are concerned enough to make comments,we are not running a popularity contest and anyone with half a brain can understand them perfectly.Remember if only the birds of the forest who could sing sang then the forest would be a very quiet place
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- Jose
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:54
To ..Gen X...
asleep in history class ehhh??? -
- Mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:38
Blunderdale needs to check the books.
Every year the Quebec innu engage in a hunt in a Labrador closed zone. Evey year the gov't says that they will monitor the hunt and charges will be laid..blah blah blah.
Williams, Blunderdale and Collins should put up or shut up. either step in and charge th 100 or so that you have pictures of shooting, dragging or cutting up illegally shot caribou...or shut up and admit impotence.
Why haven't we heard from Pottle and Hickey? Should'nt they be leading the charge against the status quo. -
- Eli
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:45
Dunderdale and Williams firing verbal cannons after the fact. They didn't say a thing when the slaughter was in progress.
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- Jean
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:12
How long are they gonna say THEIR LAND ?....If they want it that way...then they should not want any government funding....they do not abide by our rules....It's ancient history...get over it.
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- robinottawa
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:42
This is great. All these wonderful law-abiding citizens wanting the Innu to get spanked for being bad. They should first ask why these animals are in such a bad way. They find it wasn't the Innu who have ruined nature, but it likely was all of us.
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- Tristan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:34
I wonder what will happen if we from this province stepped on Quebec grounds and started hunting an animal? To be honest I can see Quebec making a big deal about it and having Labradorians banned from hunting in their area, so why can't we do the same?
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- Native Rights!
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:24
Let them do their traditioanl huntings but: 1) do not use white-man guns 2) walk or dog-sled, no skidoos 3) preserve the meat, just don't use electricity 4) navagate by the land and stars, not GPS 5) etc
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- T
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:10
Ok, so what she's saying is that they're crossing our border and breaking the law, but we'll keep trying to convince them to respect our laws. Am I hearing this correctly? A law means nothing if it's not going to be enforced.
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- Frank
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:53
DOUBLE STANDARDS
It is time for white hunters to gather together and do the same thing to also make a political statement.
THIS GOV HAS TO GO -
- brad
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:47
Well lets cull the moose population by getting a few hundred hunters together and shoot anything within 10 miles of the highway. We could say that we are protesting the illegal hunt by the Quebec Innu. I bet we'd all get away with it right?
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- billy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:25
It's a native issue and it will never be addressed. The govt have no guts to deal with it. Why not bring the army or police force, they are knowing breaking the law.
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- Dee Gee
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:21
I wonder what the govt. seems to be so afraid of? If you give this group a ft. they will take two. This is just another stunt by Quebecers to laugh in our faces again. Did we not arm our different law enforcements to tackle these types of situations? If you cannot control the Innu in the terms of the law then cut off their subsidies. The statue of justice is supposed to have a blindflod. I guess she took it off and saw who she was dealing with. Let's grow a spine people!!
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- Steve
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:27
Laws are eing broken, it's time to step up and enforce the law. No one is above the law, Premier Williams should be well aware of that. Although there is no money in it for the province to fight, its time to put this to rest and enforce the law and protect what is ours!
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- Heather
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:30
Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. As for the natives, both the Provincial and Federal governments need to take firm action to stop them from raping 'OUR' land. They continue to claim they can take from nature what and when they want; but it appears this means they can destroy it.
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- Heather
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:27
How can this government claim these Quebec Innu are inciting violence and do nothing about it ? They are making themselves look even more incompetent than they really are. Imagine if you or I were so-called inciting violence in downtown St. John's ? What would happen then ?
There is no police force in Canada who can go head to head with a relatively small group of skilled hunters in the wild. Not one. This is successful domestic-politico-ecological terrorism at it's finest. From the natives perspective - an excellent play. We may as well cut them in on the New Dawn Agreement. -
- Huh?
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:22
'the government will not tolerate illegal activity.' Isn't that exactly what gov't has been doing for the last few years.
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- Ned
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:52
Here's a curiousity I'm not sure anyone considered . Where are your animal rights groups now ???? No concern about a truly endangered sub-species, no they'd sooner try and save a population of over 4 million that produces cuddly white babies . No money in that for them !!!! Hypocrites !!!
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- Lloyd
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:44
Well, I certainly think the Innu leader made the wrong choice of words, namely, 'war'.
I really have no idea whether he meant a 'hot' war but I sincerely doubt it. 'War' is like many words, grossly overused and is not essentially any different than the word 'fight' really. All our politicians, interest groups, legal people all use the word 'fight'. We apparently all 'fight' for our rights and/or beliefs. I'd suggest we stay away from such words as 'war'.
I think there's probably legitimate concerns on all sides of this one as is often the case.
Ultimately, it seems to me it is about resource development with the poor caribou caught in the middle - right where the natural world is always caught in these situations and as always the natural world loses. Except for the fact of the closed zone, and the possibility of hurting the protected Red Wine population, the number of caribou is not particularly high. The sports hunt total numbers are no doubt higher. The moose hunt (in Nlfld) is much higher. Local hunters take far more than that. Not to mention other animals.
Again, it is clearly against Provincial government Acts and Regulations and if it is indeed illegal and if it is in their jurisdiction then it is not only up to them but is in fact their Responsibility to deal with it. It is not within Federal jurisdiction. If agreements cannot be reached then (and that seems obvious), since we are supposedly a nation of laws, then they have to find a way to get it into the court. It surely doesn't appear that the people who participated are hiding it so I doubt they will deny their actions in a court of law. The only question, then, remaining is whether is in fact 'illegal'. Since there is no agreement between the two (or three, or more) sides the only way out is via the courts and a few learned judges. Time to go for it. Rhetoric won't help much in the long run. -
- Peace Pipe
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:25
UN conventions are principles, not laws. They are NOT enforced by anyone, never have been and never will. The UN is a farce in its entirety. NATO invaded Yugoslavia to end ethnic cleansing, there was no U.N. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after 9/11, there was no U.N. Saddam Hussein violated 17 U.N. resolutions; The U.N. was asked to join the war in Iraq. The U.S. invaded, Ha! there was no U.N. Libya bombed a discotheque in Berlin killing Americans, there was no U.N. Iran funds Hamas, and attacked the U.S. in the seventies, there was no U.N.
......See my point? -
- Paul
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:47
To Some People. The Americas used to belong to various disparate tribes. But it was conquered by Europeans. It no longer belongs to the previous occupants and people should get used to that reality. What has been made since is a country called Canada that provides benefits the previous inhabitants did not have, such as the ability to move all over the country to get work. Try hunting a few caribou in Cree territory back before and see what would be the penalty!!
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- Anon
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:46
They came from Russia and whiped out the Dorset. We came from Europe and nearly whiped them out. So they kill a few carribou what odds.
Hunters in this province always complain that they cant go out and their moose by but they're so quick to jump down the throats of natives who want to do the same thing.
They've been managing their own hunt longer than white men have even lived in North America I think we should just let them be. -
- mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:28
Well, I certainly think the Innu leader made the RIGHT choice of words, 'war'. The need of food, the fight for the food, it's a war. Live or dead.
No one is innocent in both side, especially those standing there making speeches. -
- Garry
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:50:50
Both the federal Gov and N L Gov are afraid of the all the Indian tribes.
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- member of the 20%
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:50:48
Minister Thunderdale, you are powerless. The Williams administration cannot call on the Feds to step in to assist as it has absolutely no rapport with Ottawa. It's as much of a national issue as it is a provincial matter and without any relationship with our Federal counterparts, we're on our own. And no-one in this province or country has the intestinal fortitude to grow spheres big enough to deal with the issue. NOTHING will be done now or in the future; look to the past...tough talk, no action. You are way in over your head in this matter and while Little Man Dan is trying to score political points by talking tough, Justice Minister Collins has all but conceded defeat by stating that it's difficult to tie an individual hunter among many, to any one of a number of slaughtered animals. My question though is, On an anonymus tip, how does a charge stick and how is a conviction gained, when a white poacher bags a moose out of season; butchers it, stocks it in his freezer, and, is fined, loses his gun, his ATV and his truck? No double standard here, no 'by.
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- mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:27
once they leave the haven of their reservations . the should come under the laws govered bythe law makers not their chiefs.
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- lb
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:18
Am I hearing everything correctly here? I can't believe what is going on. What gives anyone, regardless of race, the right to slaughter innocent animals in a closed area. I wonder who these people think they are. I don't care if you are Innu, caucasion etc etc. it really doesn't matter. I hope the Quebec Innu don't think that they have a huge fan base here in this province for what they are doing because I believe that they don't. It is time to give up and go home Quebec Innu, we don't want you here.
And as for the two levels of government, for heaven's sake, I wish someone would step up and do something. This just cannot go on and on, year after year. It is so frustrating to sit back and watch what's going on and know that nothing is being done. I can't believe it....
All I can say is: what a shame to see all those caribou lying dead in the snow and the smiles on the faces of the Quebec Innu. -
- M
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:16
You know every time i hear a story of this nature or read a report i get sicker and sicker. Why is such a big deal being made now by the govt. Who do they think they are kidding? The natives of Labrador and all across this country can do what they want and kill what they want and not be held accountable. Remember it is in there right. It is there land afterall. Us poorly whiteman took it from there forefathers and fathers before that. Isn't that what is always being slapped into our faces . Frankly i am sick of it. You have families of whites who if get caught with a spare cod from the food fishery you are fined and not allowed to fish again. We get caught with a quarter of illegal moose we lose our house not only our shirts. Do anyone see justice with this. Not me. I think it is time for us little white man to pay back and take back. Let the natives get a taste of what we are all about and the govt stay the hell out of it. They have done nothing for the past hundred years to fix this problem so why all the fallpin lips now when nothing will be done once again.
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- Rosie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:15
Heather and Some people remarks..
My opinion is solely based on her public speaking and how un-professional she is at speaking, afterall she is Deputy premier of our province. and to Heather, how can you conclude that Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. You must be lacking something to complain about... I only voiced my opinion of how terrible she speaks in public.... If you ever took any classes in Secondary school you would have to agree with me on the Ahh thingy she has going on.... -
- Nasty
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:43
Rather then hearing these self serving political hacks spouting off at the lips, maybe they take some action for a change. I have heard far more then is needed from all levels of government and nothing else. Either put up or shut up. Your face offends me in print and television. You are not needed to be seen nor heard till you do the job properly that we the people elected you to perform.
Danny Do Little and DummerDale need to get on the plane head up there and put a little action behind these threats and intimidation. No one is falling for the talk either of them spew forth.
Failing that your resignations will be accepted. -
- Edward
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:28
Again I challenge this paper to investigate what happened to the 250 animals harvested. Should be pretty easy to determine.
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- Nasty
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:47:35
Newfoundland does not want an Indian Summer. Ask BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. They all have had to deal with land claims and calling in either the Army or National Police Force to deal with it. Guess what happened. After the shootings and road blocks that cost all people millions of dollars the courts side with the Native groups because the invading white people to Canada were wrong and continue to abuse power. Face it, we as non-natives are guests in this country. We took it by cheating and lying to the Natives. We continue on this path even today. No wonder we have problems.
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- Gen X
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:07
Natives and the French...
Awhile ago they lost in Wars with the British and yet today we are getting kicked around because they lost... Only in Canada does that type of idiocy occur... Take away their 'special' status and THEN see how will want to play by the rules like all the rest of us english taxpayers. -
- Frank
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:02
T from NL....your're hearing right and let's go one step further. Dunderdale also states we must stay within the law to resolve this issue. A little one sided don't you think....we must, they don't. We should do what other governments do worldwide when another nation goes it alone . Impose sanctions....simply put, No More Handouts! Maybe then the Innu will get the message.
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- jack
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:34
I doubt the Innu will have any respect for Canadian laws, we've had no problem breaking our own rules and laws when things were to our advantage.
I guess in the end they lost and so should submit to our morally superior will. -
- Proud Canadian
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:26
For any one that truly believes that the natives are stewards of the land, you are fooling yourself and perpetuating a dangerous myth. All across this nation there are blatant abuses of their so called right to harvest the land as their anscestors did. Unfortunately they are fully modernized and have become as greedy, if not more, than the white culture they learned from. No one has any right to abuse the natural resources that are dwindling around the world. If you must hunt, eat what you take and no more, this goes out to all of the cultures in the world.
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- Tim
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:41:54
I don't get your point Peace Pipe Smoker from Labrador.
Do you want NATO to protect the caribou? They're the guys with the jets that practiced low flying over the herds, which caused stillbirths. Bosnia is still ethnically cleansed as hundreds of thousands of Bosnian refugees never returned home. NATO is a failure. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and now it's going broke and borrowing from China. It can't afford to help the caribou. It's another failure. I still think the UN is the best bet. -
- Member of the 80%
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:54
I think it's important to remember who is breaking the law here, who is destroying the animals. It's not Ms Dunderdale, it's people from Quebec.
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- labrador non native
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:52
I say cut off all payments to them and let them live off the land....see how long it is before they comes crawling back looking for handouts!
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- Rosie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:40
Well I would certainly rather read an article then to listen to you speak it aloud.... when someone is talking and all you hear is AHH, AHH AN another AHH it makes it very boring to listen to... as I was told in college when doing public speaking do not use that word, and several more unacceptable boring words....Dunderdale obviously do not know how hard that is to listen to...nor does she know how to speak in public... I say she should avail of some public speaking courses...
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- P
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:37
She said the government acted on the advice of police, because of concerns for the officers' safety - ummm....isn't that what police officers are paid for.....to enforce laws and it is well known that this job may be dangerous?
All I can do is keep on trying, Dunderdale said - keep on trying what? Watching and doing nothing? Seems like an excellent strategy.
Well, we have to stay within the law to do whatever it is we're going to do to protect these animals and to protect human beings, she said - Right.....ummm....isn't using a police force to enforce the current laws in place staying within the law? I'm not asking you to go in and kill them....maybe just arrest them. I dunno....is that too simple? -
- Yikes
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:05
......McKenzie said, It's a war that is getting underway. We are ready to fight.
This is still Canada right ? -
- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:16
Grow some gonads government for the love of god. No wonder Quebec still has control of Churchill. And from the abuse that happened to the Conservation Officer that took too long to give back a poachers truck, well I woudn't be getting involved either. What a laughing stock we are, and then theres Cathy Thunderalde who don't know the antlers from the arse of a caribou
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- mark
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:37
Kathy Dunderdale- typical slacker comment just sit back and watch for 5 years . A endangered species is being attacked.. Thats wrong. Oh well... I guess it's human nature to destroy nature.
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- dave
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:45
Is shooting the caribou similar to the seal hunt?Where's Greenpeace when you need them
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- Victor
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:13
i always admired our native peoples for their stewardship of the land and natural resources.
That view has been dashed by the irresponsible actions of the Quebec Innu.
To endanger the survival of a caribou herd, to make a political statement is ludecris.
Additionally, the Quebec Innu say this political move is motivated because they were not included in the NL- Labrador Innu development agreement on the Lower Churchill.
So, were the Labrador Innu included in the Quebec Innu's agreements with the Province of Quebec, Hydro Quebec or the federal government?????????
Of course not. -
- A Little Respect Is
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:37
Really Member of the 80% it is the people from CANADA that committed this act. The Native People of this land do not all follow Provincial boundaries. They are a white-mans invention forced onto a sovereign people. I see this whole situation turning very ugly, very soon if not managed properly.
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- CJ is grumpy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:31:48
aaaaaaaa-hahahahahahahahahahaha
OMG that's funny
ForestHobbit - you da funny man! -
- Some People
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:31:37
Heather from Newfoundland writes: Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. As for the natives, both the Provincial and Federal governments need to take firm action to stop them from raping 'OUR' land.
Your land? I hope you have a native past to make a claim like that. You are more then likely a descendant of immigrants that came to this land and locked up and stole from the first peoples of Canada. Think they have just a few more rights to claim this land and resources then anyone of us. Your ignorance speaks volumes. -
- Tim
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:30:54
Newfoundland should report the Quebec Innu to the UN. Those caribou have rights and they must be protected. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Caribou Herds should be applied to the situation immediately. What's the use of Canada being a member of the UN if it's not going to uphold UN conventions?
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- Scott
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:53
Well, the Beothuks, surely a distant relative of the Innu, were bounty-hunted by the British until they extinction. Danny Williams, surely a relative of those British officials, is now red-faced because a bunch of Innus are threatening the existence of some caribou herd.
What's that Premier Williams the trader really up to? They're not inciting violence Danny boy, no boundary exists for the native people as land belongs to everyone. It's the white man who introduced this territorial concept to America.
Go back to the United States for more treatment Danny but this time get the best shrink the States have to offer. -
- L
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:31
What we are seeing is not a traditional use of animals by Aboriginal peoples. We see over hunting by Outfitters and that is not conservation. If the herd is endangered, it's endangered. It's endangered for everyone. Aboriginal people historically practiced conservation in keeping with their survival. Conservation rules are to be respected by everyone when it comes to an endangered species.
However, if this issue is bigger than conservation then let's all be honest and speak to the real issue (s). -
- I C Clearly
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:21
Stop - or we'll say ''stop'' again!
True to form, this government is long on rhetoric and short on action. Words and posturing plays well for the popularity numbers, but only action will result in meaningful change.
5 years of saying 'stop' has accomplished nothing. The toothless dragon Williams has only succeeded in adding another item to a long string of non-accomplishments.
But hey, kudos for consistancy! -
- where's
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:05
Anyone else would be heavily fined and lose whatever they got for so blatantly breaking the law.
Perhaps we could get Paul Watson or Pam Anderson to give them a stern talking to... lol! -
- Ned
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:36
One small problem. The American Indian are a conqured people, however in Canada we made peace with them under the BNA Act. This why it is such a grey area. They have signed Treaties.
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- Jean
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:17
Forest Hobbit, best one yet. Priceless!
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- mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:14
I totally object to minister Dunderdale making light of the killing of the caribou especially since there is an endangered species involved.I find it abhorrant to kill so many animals to prove a point of protest.Shame on the innu people who took part in such a slaughter,because slaughter it truly was not a hunt.The real harm done here is an invasion of our privacy comparable to a home invasion,the material things can be replaced it is the emotional harm where we lose trust in our fellow man and at times in the justice system when the criminal gets off scott free.If those criminals are not brought to task then nothing is sacred,today our animals tomorrow our forests the next day our fisheries.About time our politicians took off the rose colored glasses before the sun goes down over newfoundland and labrador.I think that i would be remiss if i didnt chastise those individuals out there who criticise the english and grammar of people making comments i am proud of them at least they are concerned enough to make comments,we are not running a popularity contest and anyone with half a brain can understand them perfectly.Remember if only the birds of the forest who could sing sang then the forest would be a very quiet place
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- Jose
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:06
To ..Gen X...
asleep in history class ehhh??? -
- Mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:36
Blunderdale needs to check the books.
Every year the Quebec innu engage in a hunt in a Labrador closed zone. Evey year the gov't says that they will monitor the hunt and charges will be laid..blah blah blah.
Williams, Blunderdale and Collins should put up or shut up. either step in and charge th 100 or so that you have pictures of shooting, dragging or cutting up illegally shot caribou...or shut up and admit impotence.
Why haven't we heard from Pottle and Hickey? Should'nt they be leading the charge against the status quo. -
- Eli
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:08
Dunderdale and Williams firing verbal cannons after the fact. They didn't say a thing when the slaughter was in progress.
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- Jean
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:21:02
How long are they gonna say THEIR LAND ?....If they want it that way...then they should not want any government funding....they do not abide by our rules....It's ancient history...get over it.
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- robinottawa
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:09
This is great. All these wonderful law-abiding citizens wanting the Innu to get spanked for being bad. They should first ask why these animals are in such a bad way. They find it wasn't the Innu who have ruined nature, but it likely was all of us.
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- Tristan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:55
I wonder what will happen if we from this province stepped on Quebec grounds and started hunting an animal? To be honest I can see Quebec making a big deal about it and having Labradorians banned from hunting in their area, so why can't we do the same?
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- Native Rights!
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:38
Let them do their traditioanl huntings but: 1) do not use white-man guns 2) walk or dog-sled, no skidoos 3) preserve the meat, just don't use electricity 4) navagate by the land and stars, not GPS 5) etc
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- T
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:14
Ok, so what she's saying is that they're crossing our border and breaking the law, but we'll keep trying to convince them to respect our laws. Am I hearing this correctly? A law means nothing if it's not going to be enforced.
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- Frank
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:18:45
DOUBLE STANDARDS
It is time for white hunters to gather together and do the same thing to also make a political statement.
THIS GOV HAS TO GO -
- brad
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:18:33
Well lets cull the moose population by getting a few hundred hunters together and shoot anything within 10 miles of the highway. We could say that we are protesting the illegal hunt by the Quebec Innu. I bet we'd all get away with it right?
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- billy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:53
It's a native issue and it will never be addressed. The govt have no guts to deal with it. Why not bring the army or police force, they are knowing breaking the law.
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- Dee Gee
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:46
I wonder what the govt. seems to be so afraid of? If you give this group a ft. they will take two. This is just another stunt by Quebecers to laugh in our faces again. Did we not arm our different law enforcements to tackle these types of situations? If you cannot control the Innu in the terms of the law then cut off their subsidies. The statue of justice is supposed to have a blindflod. I guess she took it off and saw who she was dealing with. Let's grow a spine people!!
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- Steve
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:16:26
Laws are eing broken, it's time to step up and enforce the law. No one is above the law, Premier Williams should be well aware of that. Although there is no money in it for the province to fight, its time to put this to rest and enforce the law and protect what is ours!
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- Heather
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:48
Rosie should avail of some writing and grammar courses. As for the natives, both the Provincial and Federal governments need to take firm action to stop them from raping 'OUR' land. They continue to claim they can take from nature what and when they want; but it appears this means they can destroy it.
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- Heather
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:43
How can this government claim these Quebec Innu are inciting violence and do nothing about it ? They are making themselves look even more incompetent than they really are. Imagine if you or I were so-called inciting violence in downtown St. John's ? What would happen then ?
There is no police force in Canada who can go head to head with a relatively small group of skilled hunters in the wild. Not one. This is successful domestic-politico-ecological terrorism at it's finest. From the natives perspective - an excellent play. We may as well cut them in on the New Dawn Agreement. -
- Huh?
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:34
'the government will not tolerate illegal activity.' Isn't that exactly what gov't has been doing for the last few years.
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- Ned
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:50
Here's a curiousity I'm not sure anyone considered . Where are your animal rights groups now ???? No concern about a truly endangered sub-species, no they'd sooner try and save a population of over 4 million that produces cuddly white babies . No money in that for them !!!! Hypocrites !!!
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- Lloyd
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:38
Well, I certainly think the Innu leader made the wrong choice of words, namely, 'war'.
I really have no idea whether he meant a 'hot' war but I sincerely doubt it. 'War' is like many words, grossly overused and is not essentially any different than the word 'fight' really. All our politicians, interest groups, legal people all use the word 'fight'. We apparently all 'fight' for our rights and/or beliefs. I'd suggest we stay away from such words as 'war'.
I think there's probably legitimate concerns on all sides of this one as is often the case.
Ultimately, it seems to me it is about resource development with the poor caribou caught in the middle - right where the natural world is always caught in these situations and as always the natural world loses. Except for the fact of the closed zone, and the possibility of hurting the protected Red Wine population, the number of caribou is not particularly high. The sports hunt total numbers are no doubt higher. The moose hunt (in Nlfld) is much higher. Local hunters take far more than that. Not to mention other animals.
Again, it is clearly against Provincial government Acts and Regulations and if it is indeed illegal and if it is in their jurisdiction then it is not only up to them but is in fact their Responsibility to deal with it. It is not within Federal jurisdiction. If agreements cannot be reached then (and that seems obvious), since we are supposedly a nation of laws, then they have to find a way to get it into the court. It surely doesn't appear that the people who participated are hiding it so I doubt they will deny their actions in a court of law. The only question, then, remaining is whether is in fact 'illegal'. Since there is no agreement between the two (or three, or more) sides the only way out is via the courts and a few learned judges. Time to go for it. Rhetoric won't help much in the long run. -
- Peace Pipe
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:12
UN conventions are principles, not laws. They are NOT enforced by anyone, never have been and never will. The UN is a farce in its entirety. NATO invaded Yugoslavia to end ethnic cleansing, there was no U.N. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after 9/11, there was no U.N. Saddam Hussein violated 17 U.N. resolutions; The U.N. was asked to join the war in Iraq. The U.S. invaded, Ha! there was no U.N. Libya bombed a discotheque in Berlin killing Americans, there was no U.N. Iran funds Hamas, and attacked the U.S. in the seventies, there was no U.N.
......See my point?
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