Tor dia Refirids

THE SPARROW DECISION & ABORIGINAL FISHING RIGHTS

Aboriginal peoples have long expressed a desire to preserve and build their
societies and ecomm~nics. it British Cokambia, fichetias have boon an integral
social and econcamic componny of many aboriginal conmuritios.

_ Yn allocasing Canada's flaherios resource, few wier groups can agree om the share
ta be provided to each secter. For years thare hes been litigation betwoen many
of these groups ef considerable co ;

in 1990 the Supreme Court of Cx 9, in tho Seaeroey decision, recognized the
aboriginal right to fish under Secs . 38 of the Conninulon. Diffuriag oplaioas
extet on tho intarprecation of thia decislen, howevor, a definitive direction for DFO
to follow is managing te flabery to provida for thie right has beea expressed by
ties higheee court in tie bad.

The Syarmow decinion ceprecentis }
omuaged, it challenges fekocies managers, and fisheriss emksholders t coopecats

in the harvesting, maintenance, and ocaanrvadon of the rescures.

Grarrow states that aboriginal eameumities teve a comueinste | right to fish for
menial purposes, and that tils right must be interpreted
evolution aver tae. Te ale stutos that DFO aust conault
rsakhag dsclalona an resqurce allocation where their cigits

Pelee te this landmark desision, DFO's polley peavided aboriginals with privcity
aocean to fla for fund. lanpllcstions of the Caust devicion were

: ligt : y

4
Ast feide
Ages

af sae gh

Gid noe addcons tho logal tale of fist exaght by abcrigianls.
torical leeue that la bolng arcwaliy tested by DFO
under tha ARG, Sever! provincial court daslainns reisvent

Be
aeiaeek:

APR G BG4—-8G9-2481 PAGE. O86

660° 390d JOCIY Ady ‘LSIG WOas QG'G6 v6. at Nor