By Canadian Press

Five B.C. First Nations say salmon decision shows systemic racism at DFO

Aug 16, 2020 | 5:02 AM

OTTAWA — Five British Columbia First Nations are challenging a federal decision on salmon fishing in their territories this year, and they are accusing federal fisheries officials of systemic racism in the way they have been treated.

The five Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations are upset that Ottawa decided to give a surplus allocation of salmon — which arose this year due to reduced recreational fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic — to commercial fishers rather than to the First Nations fishers.

Clifford Atleo, lead negotiator for one of the nations who is also called Wickaninnish, says he feels sports and industrial troll fishers are given more rights to fish in the waters off the west coast of Vancouver.

He says the latest decision to shut First Nations fishers out of an opportunity to catch more Chinook salmon this year shows systemic racism is “alive and well” within the federal fisheries department.

A 2018 B.C. Supreme Court ruling directed Ottawa to take a more “generous approach” to allocations of chinook salmon to the First Nations given the importance of this species to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people, but they say their fishing allocations have not increased.

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NDP MP Gord Johns says he finds it “disgusting” that the Trudeau government has repeatedly highlighted its desire to restore the Crown’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, but has still fought many legal battles with these First Nations over their fishing rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2020.

The Canadian Press