Heiltsuk visit Burnt Church

Chief Councilor Germyn at the Burnt Church wharf   Photo by HTC

Representatives of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council traveled to the community of Burnt Church in New Brunswick last September to show support for the struggle of the Mi'kmaq to defend their rights. The trip occurred in September 2000 while the Heiltsuk were attending a conference on coastal zone management.

Burnt Church Chief Wilbur Dedam and Heiltsuk Chief Councilor Robert Germyn Photo by HTC

Heiltsuk Chief Councilor Robert Germyn and a group of representatives traveled to the Mi'kmaq community during last year's dispute regarding lobster fishing in the Miramichi Bay area. Chief Germyn met with Burnt Church Chief Wilbur Dedam and had an exchange regarding aboriginal and treaty rights. The Heiltsuk stated their firm support of the struggle of the Burnt Church Mi'kmaq to defend their rights. The Mi'kmaq are fishing lobster following the recognition of treaty rights for the Mi'kmaq in the Marshall decision. The Heiltsuk also toured the village and the wharf, where many of the lobster boats were based.

Burnt Church was the site of substantial conflict between the Mi'kmaq and federal Fisheries, as well as with neighbouring non-natives

Heiltsuk delegation visits the wharf at Burnt Church       Photo by HTC