New Nisga’a offer readied A NEW LAND CLAIM settle- ment offer is to be presented to the Nisga’a this month. Provincial government negotia- tor Jack Ebbels said he and his federal counterparts are putting the final touches on the first new comprehensive offer to ihe Nisga’a since last summer. Talks on the substantive issues of land and resources have been bogged down for more than six months since the province em- barked on a wide-ranging review of ils bargaining pesition, _ Ebbels refused to say which areas he has been authorized to move on, But he did say this offer will be evel more comprehensive than last year, ‘We are now prepared to pro- ceed on all fronts, including all self-government fronts,’’ Ebbels said. ‘‘We’re prepared to put for- ward as complete a picture as possible.” Last summer, Ebbels said the negotiators were aiming to determine by the fall whether a deal was possible on the ex- pensive and contentious items of land, resources, and compensa- tion. “‘It was clear on some of those big ticket items, we hadn’t reached a general consensus,’’ he explained. At te same time political events were moving rapidly, Reform Party MPs, and in par- ticular Skeena’s Mike Scott, were taking aim at the secrecy of the negotiations. Those protests culminated with last Septémber’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, where Premier Mike Harcourt stepped in and promised more open and con- sultative talks in the future, The province responded by car- rying out ils review of the talks. Chief federal negotiator David Osbom says he’s had a mandate from ithe federal government since last June. And he acknowledged that the provincial review has slowed ne- poliations. “But now that they (provincial negotiators) secm to have some cabinet direction, we'll sec where that leads us,’? Osborn said. The negotiator did add that while. the federal and provincial governments have agreed on a cost sharing formula, fine points have yet to be worked out. Cost sharing is a crucial part of the negotiations because it first involves putting a value on lands and resources which will be part of the settlement package. Also included is the issue of compensation for companies and Feds ante up $15 million for Kincolith road route THE FEDERAL government will pay one-third of the cost of a road to Kincolith at the mouth of the Nass River. Federal Indian Affairs minister Ron Irwin made the announce- ment in the tiny village at the Nisga’a Tribal Council conven- tion April 28. He said the federal contribution is capped at $15 million and ex- pects the provincial government and the Nisga’a to make equal contributions. Access to the isolated village of 250 people is now only by air- craft or by boat. “‘This is not an open-ended deal a8 far as the federal government is concerned,”’ said Irwin. Total cost projections were not immediately available but Irvin said he has seen estimates rang- ing between $30 million and $40 out more about our construction project. Canadian Homebuilders Association of Skeena invites you to the 47th Ann ual May 5..........0.. 4pm. -6 p.m. May 6..........000..10 aim. - 8 p.m. May 7............000 NOON - 4 p.m. at the Terrace Arena We're at booth #43, next to PNG. Drop by and find qualified and members and what they can do for your next million. The road will mn west from Greenville, the next closest vil- lage to Kincolith in the Nass Val- ley, a distance of 30kin, A rough provincial estimate prepared in 1992 pepged the cost at between $14.7 million and $32.2 million depending upon the type of road. Irwin said the road will be gravel at first. He predicted that planning, engineering and construction could take as long as five to six years. “We're prepared to make our contribution up front — to start engineering and environmental studies to get it going,”’ said Ir- win. He added that the final cost will depend upon the type of road chosen and on route conditions. a reputable “This has been a long time coming,’’ said Inin. “It will connect Kincolith with the rest of the villages of the Nisga’a. Their children will be able to go to their own high school and there’ll be easier travel back and forth,”’ Irwin’s announcement follows years of lobbying by the Nisga’a for a road to Kincolith. “{ acknowledge the govern- ment of B.C.’s offer to cost share # major portion of the road,’’ said Irwin in his announcement Speech. “The Nisga’a have also indi- cated to me that they have crea- tive economic development in- itiatives underway to contribute to the road construction costs,’’ Irwin said the federal contribu- tion isn’t tied to any settlements arising from land claims negotia- tions with the Nisga’ a, indjviduals which have resource tenures that'll be affected by a setilement. There may be a formula but applying it is very complex. Eb- bels and J] are very hopeful we can work this out,”’ said Osbom, He was confident the details be- tween the provincial and federal governments can be sctiled prior to this month’s set of main table lalks with the Nisga’a. Last year’s fedcral-provincial offer to the Nisga’a was reported --to be about: $600. million -com- pensation and 2,000 square kila- metres of land —- about eight per cent of their traditional terrilory, The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 3, 1995 - At1 rd rer ~ A project of PITCH-IN CANADA in conjunction with The United Nations Environment Program ise) FOUNDATION OF B.C, & YUKON Box 22, IMPROVING Terrace, B.C, YOUR ODDS VBG 4A2 AGAINST Marjorie Park CANADA'S . #1 KILLER 638-1167 ty Major Credit Cards Accepted Your donation is tax deductible Your In Memoriam gift is a lasting tribute. Please send your donation to the address above; along with the name and address and the name and address of the next-of-kin, for an acknowledgement card. GET SET FOR FUN! 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