The historical, political, and social context provided by this text offers greater understanding and theorizes what the effective devolution of government power might look like. Illustrating the various 'arrows in a quiver' that Indigenous people use to fight back, such as grassroots organizing, political engagement, and the courts, Frideres situates 'settler colonialism' historically and explains why decolonization requires a fundamental transformation of long-standing government policy for reconciliation to occur. That version will then be submitted again to the board, at which time another public hearing may be scheduled.In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, Arrows in a Quiver provides an overview of Indigenous-settler relations, including how land is central to Indigenous identity and how the Canadian state systematically marginalizes Indigenous people. But this ordinance is really not aimed at those responsible people, its aimed at the 14 or 15 year old kid in his backyard shooting off arrows with no training,' Terry said.Ĭhief Salvatore said he will now meet with the town attorney, and will come up with a revised version of the ordinance. 'Listening to these people here tonight I can tell that they are the responsible ones that both don't need, and don't want, this type of an ordinance. Selectman agreed that the ordinance possibly needs to be revised to include more specific criteria about things such as how long a permit is valid.įirst Selectman Stan Terry said he feels a majority of the people who engage in bow shooting in town are likely responsible, but said some type of change may still be needed.

Honestly, based on what I heard tonight, I would encourage you to move forward with it,' Salvatore said. 'Honestly, I don't think there is any reason not to approve this tonight. Salvatore said he had 'additional concerns' after hearing testimony during the public hearing that people were bow shooting in areas he wasn't aware of. He said none of the provisions of the proposed ordinance prevent people from doing anything allowed under state law. Salvatore explained that he had drawn up the ordinance with the help of town attorney Jack Bradley, and felt 'absolutely certain' that it was entirely legal. He questioned whether the town had the authority to classify an arrow as a weapon, and said that state law already dictated that someone under 18 was allowed to discharge an arrow as long as they were with a licensed adult over the age of 18, not their parents as required under the ordinance amendment. Robert Crook, a member of the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen based out of Hartford, accused the ordinance of being contradictory to state law, and said it was legally indefensible. 'Why add another level of bureaucracy?,' asked Brown. This borders on the ridiculous,' Smith said.īellaire Manor resident Clayton Brown pointed out that people are already required to pass an eight-hour course given by the Department of Environmental Protection before they can legally discharge arrows from a bow. I feel that I have some degree of common sense, and that others who shoot do as well. 'I don't understand how a permit can be required for an individual to shoot a bow in his own yard when common sense should prevail. None of them said they had a problem with the proposed change in permitting regulations for firearms.Įvergreen Road resident Tom Smith said that he often shoots arrows in his yard, and always takes measures to ensure the safety of himself and his neighbors.

Six residents - most of whom described themselves as bow hunters or bow shooters - spoke out against the ordinance, calling it a violation of their right to shoot arrows in their own yards.Īll six said they had a problem with a permitting system for the discharge of arrows in town.

Perhaps most importantly, the new ordinance would require anyone wishing to fire arrows on their property to obtain a permit from the chief, something which drew the most complaints from residents. New language would also be added to make it illegal for people under the age of 18 to either buy arrows or discharge them, and would make it illegal for anyone to discharge arrows within 500 feet of a building. Anyone who is caught discharging a firearm in town that has not obtained a permit under the proposed ordinance could be fined 'not less than $99.'

Arrows in a quiver