Time to sit still and listen Dear Sir: Al the March 7 public meeting on the Nisga’a agreement Jacob Nyce, a hereditary chief, came forward to speak at the microphone, He spoke at length of his concerns about the agreement. After a while he was interrupted by some non-aboriginal people in the crowd with shouts of “Gét to the point!’’, Sit down!?? and ‘'Order, Mr. Chairman’. Because Jacob was taking much longer at the micro- phone than others, these people obviously felt that such heckling was entirely justified The chairman, to his credit; allowed Jacob to finish, oe oe Such interruptive behaviour springs from the assumption that European cultural values arouad time and. efficiency (‘time is money"’; “‘whal’s your point?’?; “the early bird gels the worm”’, etc.) are to be applicd universally, ‘and that deviation from ‘this is something to be ridiculed, Such assumptions constitute ethnocentric bias and lead ‘to in- tolerance of others. ; : : Jn First Nations cultures, matters of importance are dis- cussed Within a much different context than the European one, One speaks from the heart — if the heart is full, one ° speaks until it is empty. To interrupt the speaker is very bad form. Time and efficiency do not matter so much, This is What Jacob Nyce was doing, ~~ | a TT CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag if the non-aboriginal people of the northwest are to be successful in building positive and co-operative rela- tionships with the First Nations peaptes who live here, they will have to do two things. - First, realize that their cultural values, while valid for themselves, are not to be universally applied to others, . Second, learn: about-and show respect for the values of First Nations cultures, ; . Once’ this is done, they will have achieved a measure of consciousness of themselves and of others, Only then will there be some hope of building relationships that ate bene- ficial for everyone. One of the first ways to. start doing this is by ensuring that discussion at public meetings in Terrace is conducted in’ way that allows for differences in cultural values. That means being quiet and listening while Jacob Nyce speaks. eee Don Windross, Terrace, B.C, Are you that much better? Dear Sir:. This is for some kids in a car, Have you ever thought of | anyone else but yourselves? Remember the night of March 9 when a girl or boy hol- lered out the window, ‘‘You Indian’’? What have | done to you to say that to me? I bet you and the driver you were with were hoping you could run me down with the baby I was pushing across the ° street, You should put yourselves in our shocs, and’ see how much abuse you could take. I know for sure you cai’l take as much as you dish out. . ‘Next time you're going around town and hollering out SAFEWAY FOOD & DRUG | Beef Standing Rib Steak * Super Pack. PSU PER: a ie racist remarks, think of one thing first. Are you much bet- ter than us? You may have the money, car and anything you want, But does that really make you any better? Maybe your parents should take away your keys till you show some respect to other nations, and not let you do what you de. Or do they know you’re hollering out the window, call- ing people names you don’t even know. One thing for sure, I. personally would like to thank you so much for recognizing who I am. A native, , L. Robinson, Terrace, B.C, Town House Soup © Cream of Mushroom. 284 mL B® Assorted varieties, * Frozen. ity Whole Kernei Mais Grains Com Entiers hte © Product of U.S.A. © No.1 Grade, GréenGiant- i ve een eA REAL TS Bk : ASE ile ae Loaf Cornetto Orange Pepperoni I Cukes Cones Juice Sticks = Coramel floveured > lucerne © Sismthe Bakery &x 100 ml 570g 2. 3 © Hollor Mid © florida Qionge o1 tae © [rom the Deli Grogetud Lurene © Plot fnveo to aed ley atest opchioble 100g 1.89 Utre uate | qu Orange] a SAFEWAY” I ‘FOOD & DRUG, AMI, ~ Shrinking the wand, ee) | areal ye] bea CASSETTE DECK TCWR 465 Double Auto Reverse, Hi Speed Dubbing, Dolby 8 and C a Sr Mr. Clean Sweep Me f. > Ends March 23 eT PORTABLE STEREO crp 340 Compact Disc, Single Cassette - AM/FM Radio li CAMCORDER CCD TRV4O Built in 3in. LCD Screen, Remote, Steady Shot, 24 x Digital Zoom DISC PLAYER CDP C265 5 Disc, 10 Track Direct Select Keys, Peak Search, Digital Servo, Remote Control Capabilities QUE THERE Hd FLEETS TTT SPORT ILA ge sy aye PROJECTION KP 41T15. 4] in. Screen, Picture in Picture, Matrix Surround Sound, Slim Cabinet Design q m: a a STEREO RECEIVER STRD 565 Dolby Pro Logic, Remote Contral PORTABLE STEREO CFD 550 Detachable Speakers, Disc Player, Double Cassette Deck VIDEO RECORDER SLV 780 4 Head, Hi Fi Stereo VCR and Programming iid tg _ nam : HTH KEITH AVE, MALL 635-333 STEREO RECEIVER KV 27V10 27 in. Deep Black Screen, Stereo, Remote Control SKEENA MALL 635-4048 a VISA Ly