Good discussions on First Nations started on this thread by Brisco.
I've been thinking that the reasons there are few (if any) First Nations who actively post on this forum for a number of reasons (please excuse the generalizing - we're talking about overall proportions, here):
1/ There still is a large gulf in interests and sustained communications between what we define as the so-called "white", and "modern" world (often more affluent, but not exclusively so), and those on reserve. There is some distrust of the outside world "off-reserve",
2/ Most First Nations are rarely ever defined as "sporties"; and most often fish with gill nets, dip nets, or traps. Most First Nations do not understand some of the "recreational interests" of the sportsfishing lobby, including catch and release,
3/ Many First Nations are largely insulated and isolated from so-called "mainstream" events; unless it is an urgency that affects their village and/or traditional lands. Some do not have ready access to the internet.
All of these reasons combined; means that First Nations participation on this forum is very sparse indeed.
However, when their way of life and/or traditional territories are threatened by industrial development such as open net-cage fish farms - they have been very organized and participatory in that opposition (something sockeyefry did not mention).
There have been mass protests by First Nations against fish farms at:
The Omega hatchery at Ocean Falls,
Quite number of sites and occasions along the Skeena River,
Twice there were delegations sent to Norway, one met with royalty,
Other demonstrations in and around Vancouver Island.
Demonstrations to various aquaculture committees.
They do care for wild salmon - like the sporties, commercial fishermen, and others.
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