Native, non-native fishermen to gather for powwow

Native and non-native fishermen will gather on the Miramichi River at the end of the month to celebrate the progress they've made in putting theirdifferences behind them.

The area has been the site of violent confrontations over fishing rights in the past.

Tensions came to a head in Burnt Church in 2000 when afederal fisheries boat rammed another boat with three native fishermen on board.

The boat from that iconic conflict will play a part in thesecond annual Fishermen's Powwow, said Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Roger Augustine.

"There's some marks on that boat that talks about how bad things can get out of hand. And now, to me, personally, it's perfect, perfect time. It's a perfect time to do this."

Augustine saidthereused to bea lot of mistrust and a lack of communication,but progress has been made.

"This is about sharing our resources, this is about sharing our cultures," he said. "I don't know how long it's going to take for the message to get through, but it's getting through."

Christian Brun, the executivesecretary of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, agrees change is happening and hehopes it continues.

"Let's be realistic, there's still some contentious issues and I think we need some way to be able to sit down regularly and have a good discussion have an open frank discussion on how to improve things."

The Pow Wow will be held June 30-July 1 at Waterford Green Park in Chatham.