What was the film about?
This film is about the Mikmaq people from the Burnt Church community are trying to exercise thier rights to catch lobster after the marshall decision came through. The federal fishery tried to stop them any way they can using the law and violence.
What time period was the film set?
The time period the film was set was in 2000-2002.
What story was the film sharing?
The film was sharing the story on the struggle for mikmaq people to exercise their rights like that have been for years and years. The mikmaq people always had a treaty between the government to rightfully provide themselves with a moderate living through their natural resourses of the land. The fisheries were in an uproar when the Marshall decision came through. The people of Burnt church began to set their traps in the water, the very few they already had, just to meet with the federal fisheries through violence. Most of the reserves signed a contract on limitations on fishing so peace could be established, the Burnt church reserve signed it last although they did not believe in the contract.
Do you know of any Mi'kmaq leaders who attended the Constitutional talks referred to in the film?
I dont know of any Mi'kmaq leaders that attended these events that were shown in the film. The one person that i would consider as a mi'kmaq leader was Donald Marshall Jr. I knew him through family in Membertou and he was the nicest person you could ever meet.
What did you know of the constitutional talks before watching this film?
I remember watching parts in the film on the news back then. My mother and father would watch it also and i could hear them talking about how the burnt church residents were very brave and that they hoped that something will be solved.
Who were the main characters in the film that stood out for you and why?
The main characters i believe were Donald Marshall Jr because he fought the courts and made it possible for mikmaq fishermen to have more liberty and freedom to fish. The other main character would be Brian Bartibogue, he was one of the speakers in the film and demomstrated his fishing rights all through the entire film.
How do you feel about the responses of national leaders to concerns and issue raised by First Nation leaders on self government?
The responses from the non native fisherman where not professsional and they demonstrated violence and unfair practises to further their intimidation towards mi'kmaq fishermen. The government, although the mikmaq were backed by the treaty and the agreements between the supreme court, was also playing it's part on going against the mikmaq in this fight.
How did you feel after watching the film?
I felt that it is unbelievable how the government would go to extremes to help the angry fishermen fight against the mikmaq fishermen or even support the behavior. We are far from resolving any equality and fair treatment with the government and the aboriginal people. The attitudes will not resolve untill the government lowers their self image as the prevailing power over the people.
Have First Nations' achieved any of the rights discussed during the film?
The first nations did recieve success through the Donald Marshall case and they did also set up fisheries in thier communities so they can be in charge of their own fishing. They did however have to sign contracts to agree on limitations and have certain areas to fish with the non native fishermen.
Overall what did you think about the film?
Overall i thought this film was very moving especially on how the mikmaq people were very persistant on exercising thier rights and to keep thier tradition in the community and thier families. It was very upsetting that they had to face the violence in the film and the unfairness of the law.
