[citation needed] The destruction of Indigenous-owned traps resulted in verbal confrontations as the protesters docked at shore of the reserve, escalating to intense shouting matches.
Additionally, a traditional ceremonial arbour was burned to the ground in Burnt Church, in which three Mi'kmaq men were severely injured after their truck was rammed by a non-Indigenous driver.
Mi'kmaq set up an armed encampment on the wharf in Burnt Church to protect Indigenous people continuing to catch lobster in the bay.
[2] In 2000 and 2001, rising conflict led to a series of standoffs between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and First Nations people, and a number of arrests were made.
[2] On August 9, 2000, the band members voted to reject federal regulation of the fishery despite the government's offer to provide five well-equipped boats and build a new $2-million wharf.
The following week, tensions rose again in Burnt Church as enraged Mi'kmaq declared war against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) after a late-night raid on several lobster traps in Miramichi Bay.
[citation needed] After the Mi'kmaq refused the offer, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans boats became more aggressive with their attempts to prevent the Indigenous fishers from setting traps on the waters of the Miramichi Bay.
In April 2002, a federal report on the crisis suggested a number of police charges to be dropped and that fishermen should be compensated for damaged traps and boats.