Davis Inlet stalls return of judge

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Innu leaders in Davis Inlet, Labrador have succeeded in stalling Newfoundland Justice Minister Edward Roberts' attempts to reinstate the sitting of the provincial court in that community.

The Innu blockaded the lone airstrip into the community on Sept. 6, frustrating the government's plan to fly in court officials.

The Innu set up dozens of oil drums on the airstrip and the people of the community, occupied the strip, making it too dangerous to land.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 7, RCMP and the Canadian military remained on alert in Goose Bay preparing for movement into the community. This despite an offer from Innu leaders to call a 30-day cooling off period so that negotiations might get back on track.

The dispute began last December when Provincial Court Judge Robert Hyslop

was ousted from the community by former chief Katie Rich. She and other community members questioned the quality of justice the Judge was dispensing. She announced the court no longer had authority in Davis Inlet and it has not operated since.

The community of Davis Inlet has 77 outstanding criminal charges to be heard. since the dismissal of court justice, matters have been administered by Innu peacekeepers, Chief Simeon Tshakapesh and his council.

Efforts have been made to establish, with the federal and provincial governments, a justice system that will be sensitive to the cultural needs of the community.

The possibility of a settlement of the situation broke down Sept. 2 when Roberts objected to the participation of Rich in the negotiations between the province and the Innu. Roberts then ordered the RCMP to prepare to force their way into the community with the court officials.

"The court will sit in Davis Inlet and the rule of law will prevail," said Roberts.

A spokesman for the Innu said Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin has been in touch with Innu leaders, assuring them that Canada does take their fiduciary responsibilities to the Innu seriously.

Roberts had not responded to the offer, as of Wednesday morning, Sept. 7, saying it had not been submitted in writing to his office.

"Roberts has created a crisis where no such situation existed," said Tshakapesh.

"Our people are learning to heal their own commun ity, free of an alien system of punishment and incarceration. Our people will not allow the progress we have made in healing our communities to be derailed by the re-imposition of the provincial court system and the RCMP," said Tshakapesh.