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[itosh]

"The Fraser River’s aboriginal people are now engaged in a desperate struggle to catch and preserve salmon to avoid hardship this coming winter," Crey said. "The DFO should not make matters worse for them by exposing them to violent and abusive anglers plying the river."


This has got to be one of the best lines from the article!  He always makes it sound as if there was no sockeye salmon to eat, all his people would starve to death. 

Do his people not have the ability to go to the supermarket?  Or is he insinuating that if his people don't legally and illegally sell sockeye, that they won't have money to go to the supermarket?  I wonder how many days a year, especially in winter, Mr. Crey eats sockeye or any salmon.

They should just let the natives have free reign over the sockeye run.  Either they will have no more sockeye to fish for in a few years due to their own greed and ignorance, and would have nobody else to blame but themselves (and they will all starve during the hardships of winter ) or the natives above Hope and along the Lillooet/Birkenhead systems will get really pissed off and hopefully demand the Chilliwack area natives to smarten up!

Either way, recreational harvesters will probably get the shaft but maybe this is the best option for the resource regardless how common and shared it is.

Just my thoughts.

Shane

[Frankey]

Mr Crey for sure is a Drama Queen no doubt about it...he makes it sound like a life and death struggle for the Natives harvesting Sockeye.Now its the sporties harrasing the natives not the other way around so he wants all the sporties off the river this weekend for the upcoming opening..interesting to see how this will all play out!

[Rodney]

Mr Crey for sure is a Drama Queen no doubt about it...he makes it sound like a life and death struggle for the Natives harvesting Sockeye.Now its the sporties harrasing the natives not the other way around so he wants all the sporties off the river this weekend for the upcoming opening..interesting to see how this will all play out!

So, what are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like? Beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group.

It's not as difficult as it seems.

[speyghillie]

This made the newspapers in Scotland this morning, a picture of Chief willie charlie and saying they are hunting two Scottish guy believed to have shot him in the face and cutting nets with knifes.
I will post detail if there is anymore in the newspaper, but it was on page 33 and i guess it might not be followed up at a later date.
Gordon.

[Rodney]

Personally, I try to treat all people on the river equally.  I have even stopped at dark-dusk on my way back to the boat launch to check on a couple of First Nations fishers that were having trouble starting their motor.  Waited into until their boat was running before carrying on.  I waive to them when I pass by boat, and move out of their way when they drift close.   One day I hope to see the same respect from them.  We must make it clear to First Nations people that we are not against them as individuals or nations, but against the present 'system'.

That's good Morty. At the personal level many also practice what you do to make it an enjoyable environment for all users. One should also realize that most First Nations fishers also conduct themselves in similar manner, by netting away from congested sportfishing areas so their nets wouldn't get in the way of anglers. Of course, it only takes a few who choose to cause problems on both sides to escalate possibly conflicts. Many First Nations also share the same concerns as anglers. Most cannot conduct their fishing during the week so openings are usually set on weekends, when the river is the most heavily used. Many First Nations fishers do their fisheries with family members and there are always concerns of young family members being hurt by the few inconsiderate anglers who have a tendency to become rude or even violent.

When a conflict such as what has happened last weekend, it's easy to sit there, point fingers and accuse lying on the other side until the river closes for sportfishers. A much more challenging, but appropriate approach would be to become a leader and develop options to resolve the tension. The result is better PR for the sportfishing sector and a river that remains opened for all to enjoy.

Here's the question again for those who still have not answered it.

What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?

[Geff_t]

Well I just choose not to fish that area of the river. In fact I do not fish past Mission if I fish the fraser. I also treat everyone and I mean everyone I meet with respect no matter what, as life is way to short for confrontations. I like to enjoy the limited fishing that I do. I also put in countless hours during the year with a hatchery and DFO to ensure fish for the future.

[Rodney]

I guess I should further clarify the question some more. While putting in volunteer hours at the hatchery is great and more people should do it too because it's beneficial to the resource and a great learning experience, it doesn't really solve the problem between the sportfishing sector and Lower Fraser First Nations.

Here's the revised question, what are you, the sportfishing sector as a whole, doing to resolve the conflict with First Nations in order to get what most sportfishermen would like? It'd be nice to see opinions at both the personal level (such as what Morty and Fly Guy have expressed) and also ideas that can be put forward for future use if the sportfishing sector can get organized enough to start a dialogue process with First Nations when conflicts such as this occur.

[alwaysfishn]

What are you doing to resolve the conflict in order to get what you'd like, beside continuously pointing out the faults of a percentage of individuals in the other user group?

The conflict that happened on the weekend is rare. These conflicts are often blown out of proportion in the media including the internet. As individual sportsfishermen we can do nothing to about that. Writing to the paper to present another side would probably just escalate the issues. As others have suggested, treating everyone with respect and sometimes turning the other cheek goes a long ways to getting along.

I personally believe that the system we have is perceived to be unfair and unequal and is resented by both parties. The only way the conflicts can ultimately be resolved is by the law makers and the law enforcers. I have written my MP on at least a couple of occasions and I do vote.

[dennisK]

I guess I should further clarify the question some more. While putting in volunteer hours at the hatchery is great and more people should do it too because it's beneficial to the resource and a great learning experience, it doesn't really solve the problem between the sportfishing sector and Lower Fraser First Nations.

Here's the revised question, what are you, the sportfishing sector as a whole, doing to resolve the conflict with First Nations in order to get what most sportfishermen would like? It'd be nice to see opinions at both the personal level (such as what Morty and Fly Guy have expressed) and also ideas that can be put forward for future use if the sportfishing sector can get organized enough to start a dialogue process with First Nations when conflicts such as this occur.

Rod, do you know the difference between a moderator and a censor?

Seriously I know it's your site and all, but a little humour on this heavy thread maybe what it needs.

You took off the funny photos and gave no reason why.

Lighten up a bit.  We can criticize, right?

[Rodney]

Yeah it was funny, but replies followed were starting to derail the topic. I am both a moderator and a censor, so I've been told many times.

Anyway, point taken of course and will always reconsider in the future as usual.

[DragonSpeed]

Yeah it was funny, but replies followed were starting to derail the topic. I am both a moderator and a censor, so I've been told many times.

Anyway, point taken of course and will always reconsider in the future as usual.

I was wondering what happened to that post    By the time I posted my reply I looked kinda dumb (more than usual)

[arimaBOATER]

Once on the river trolling in our boat not too far from natives drift fishing...suddenly I heard a "WHISTLING NOISE ZIPP BY" ... sounded like those things ya hear on Oct 31.  I assumed it could of been a 22 bullet ....but I may be wrong. Can't think of what else could of made that noise. ---but the majority of natives I have found are friendly....but like in all races "THERE ARE BAD APPLES" -------------- I wave to the natives & other boaters on the water...... as the boating crowd are a friendly bunch. Remember the natives who helped out when the ferry was sinking....after it ran aground.  ---- (l10% of the natives wave back...90% do not return the wave BUT that's ok...no problem) ---- As far as answers... maybe from Pitt Meadows eastword.... have natives fish on odd numbered days & sport fishermen on even numbered days. ------- River is wide Pitt Meadows west so problems should not occur.  Anyways as a belliever in the Lord... really God's will for me is to love ...forgive.....................................................................................voilence etc...will not solve "things". Personally I just never see this problem ever getting solved as some "people" just will do it their way.... like the song "MY WAY"... Like one Nasa person said from space.... "looking down at the beautiful earth just sitting there in orbit.... that it is hard to believe there's so many problems on it"

[PistolPete]

Is this a story? Meaning did this acutally happen?

[casinoJim]

Some fatherly advice...take it or leave it up to you.

The few times I have met FN people on the river, the situations have been friendly, respectful, even fun.

I have many times, especially during Sockeye "Combat" season (but Fall Coho, and July Spring as well) been in & witnessed stressful, aggressive situations, people crowding, others "defending" their spot.... 4 aught hooks whipping by my ears, hooked in my waders. Cussed at, seen others cussed out. The littering on and in the river makes me ill.

From what I have seen no "race" is immune to this stupidity. When you think about it show me any "race" without sin.

While I am at it...  considering your fellow humans in terms of "race", is well stupid... Literally...  It is far more important to the development of your character, the culture and environment within the immediate, local and national community in which you are raised than the part of the collective gene pool from which you are drawn. This can never be determined through the identity of your "race". I have traveled the world and found kindness, civility and honour everywhere I have been.

But I digress...
My point is that your collective sport fishing communities character is a disgrace. This you can not deny. Stop looking to other groups for solutions. Start looking in the mirror.

In fact this is partly why I have not a huge interest in fishing much anymore, figured out over time that as presented to me continuously for many years in this part of the province. If I had to make a general statement it would be that I am very aware of this fishing communities lack of character. As it sits now I am not certain you have something to offer and share with my children... instead I have chosen (for the most part) to hunt and raise my children in that culture and community.

Is there guilty parties and idiots on both sides, yes I guess there is, would have to be I figure, knowing human nature.

Ultimately this is the same as it has always been ... stop pointing the finger, start pulling the thumb. Clean up your own back yard... your own character ...both figuratively and literally. Then you will find this situation will work itself out to a conclusion both sides can live with.

Tough love ... true,
but coming from a good place.

I wish you well.
Jim.

[winter steel]

Sad, but true! Well said Jim and all the best with your young family, WS.