Please tell me this was a tongue in cheek comment like satire because last I checked FN's have access to the same resources as everybody else. As far as blame, I'm not directing my point solely to demean their rights, I just found it humorous that you made them out to look like the model of true conservationists with unblemished hands.
I respect their treaty, I just don't believe they (I'm not saying all) need to hide behind a veil of deceit to conduct in activities that misconstrued what their treaty was originally designed for...but you are right, once the salmon is gone it won't matter much to whom the rights belong to...I just hope First Nations don't die out due to the lack of this food source that's so vital for their very survival...
Oh the FN know they don't have unblemished hands - I've never hear that from anyone ever. But I know what you meant, I come across as pro FN in this case.
The FN don't need to hide behind a veil of deceit but history has shown that the mob mentality and the outnumbered abuse dished out on the river is not very welcoming to the FN. While FN have been drifting, people on the bars are seen launching BBetties, stones, sticks literally anything that can be thrown at them. Why? Because we're greedy and mob bullies. Heck, I've seen it downright dangerous for FN to be out there around some of our social white fishermen. So what do some natives do - they drift at night or pull their nets very early in the mornings to avoid interactions with our ding-dong white super fishermen. Damn sickening. Now come on, there is some great interactions between FN and white fishermen and that needs to keep improving.
Elders know they have some young radical fishermen that are a little too aggressive. It's not a perfect world and as humans we can become a little unstable at times.
Hey , I've been pissed myself at FN drifters damn near wiping me off my feet with their drift net. Stupid on me because I seen them coming but I wanted to catch that last salmon. Funny how I know better than stepping in front of a moving vehicle yet I was somehow going to (in my mind) withstand the effects of a loaded drift net in the water. One more second and that would have ended poorly for me - and it would have been my own stubborn stupidity that would have done me in.
Anyways, we're all frustrated there are no fish and no openings. Maybe the timing of the demonstration will magically create an opening for the Rec. fishermen. Oh ya - it will surely be because of a demonstration fishing mob. Keep telling yourselves that, you almost have people convinced. And that's okay if you truly believe this is the answer - I don't believe it is - that's all.
Enjoy the outing, it's looking like its going to be a beautiful day to be on the river. I'll either be at work or hopefully on a lake.