Cold Lake fishing continues

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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

The situation at English Bay on Cold Lake, where local Indians continue to fish despite an order-in-council barring fishing, remains unchanged.

Since the late afternoon meeting between MP Jack Shields and members of Cold Lake First Nations on April 12, there have been no efforts by Fish and Wildlife officers to remove Indian fish nets.

Sunday and Monday (April 13 and 14) were quiet and without incident. The Indians continued to exercise what they believe to be their Treaty right and have, consequently, been keeping their nets in the waters of Cold Lake.

At press time (April 15) "Windspeaker" was informed of a morning meeting between the Cold Lake First Nations and government.

Spokesman Allen Jacob said that "the situating is the same. We've just met with Ray Makowecki and Dennis Surrendi, the deputy minister of Fisheries for Alberta. They voiced their concern, we voiced our concern. Nothing was resolved."

"We'll continue to set our nets under the Treaty right," we have, said Jacob. He further mentioned that they have the full support of the Treaty Six Tribal Chiefs Association. For Premier Getty and Indian Affairs Minister Crombie, there has still not been any response from their offices.

When questioned by "Windspeaker about whether Fish and Wildlife might now proceed to try and confiscate fish nets, Jacob informed us that if they do," they'll have to build a bigger jail because we'll continue to set nets."

"Windspeaker" will keep on top of this story to provide its readership with particulars of what is occurring as information becomes available.