A10 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 13, 1996 Nisga’a deal probed at forum Crowd of 250 turns out to ask questions about agreement SELF-GOVERNMENT provisions of the Nisga’a deal came under fire al a public forum Tuesday night. But provincial negotiators tried to cali the crowd of 250, telling them many of the deal’s components — including a courl system and police service — may not be pul in place until it makes economic sense to do so. “The Nisza’a are looking 150 years, 200 years into the future,’? said provincial ne- gotiator Jack Ebbels. “So some of thase provi- sions may not be acted upon for a long, long time.” Essentially, Ebbels said, a Nisga’a court will not have any jurisdiction unless an accused person agrees to be tried by it, Anyone can elect ta be tried under the provin- cial court system instead. The forum was a lirgely polite affair with a wide range of questions posed: to the negotiating team. - There was one heated mo- ment when Nisga’a’ chief Jacob Nyce began to make ‘a speech and was shouicd down by people demanding he ask a. question. For many ‘peopic il was the. firstopportunity.- to. get. their hands on the 120-page document, examine it) in detail, and ask about how it may direetly affect them, Les Watmough, speaking on. behalf of the Trappers’ Association, asked whether existing traplines would be transferrable in perpeluily. The answer was yes, Norman Read asked what will ‘restrict the Nisga’a What’s sustainable? WHEN WILL the Nisga’a be self-sustaining? That’s the question city council asked of pravincial ne- voliators ata session al cily hall last week. “Only three provinees in Canada -~ Ontario, B.C. and Alberta — are selt-sustaining, gotiator Hugh Gordon. ” replied assistant chief ne- The city is sell-sustaining, replied councilor David Hull, noting that by law it is not permitted to runa deficit. But Gordon said the city is still dependent on other governments for other services. “FT don’t think the cily would agree to provide health and welfare without receiving huge transfers,’’ he said. The hope, Gordon says, is that the Nisga’a will be better able to create jobs and generate wealth in the Nass under a treaty, and that over time they will become less dependent on other governments. The agreement-in-principle says that revenues the Nisga’a Central Government receives — from taxing its citizens, collecting stumpage or whatever — will be deducted from transfer payments it would receive to opera- te government services. Asked why there’s such a long phase in period — cight years to eliminate sales tax exemptions and 12 years to eliminate the income tax exemption — Gordon said it was a trade-off to make it politically saleable to the Nisga‘a. Two-thirds of the Nisga’a live in urban areas like Ter- race, Prince Rupert and Vancouver. They will see litte benefit from the treaty, but will lose their tax-exempt Status. The Nisga’a off reserve see the loss of their exemption and will probably not see much positive on the other side unless they move back to the valley.”” Nass Camp owner backs Nisga’a’ THE OWNER of Nass Camp has piven the Nisga’a his vote of support. Bil Young — one of the non-native businessmen with the most at stake in the Nass — stood up at last Tuesday’s public forum to defend his native neighbours in the face of skepticism about accounting practices. One man had suggested there would be no guarantee of accountability. “They're going to come along and say that we're broke,” said Bill Dawson, of “Well how in the hell are we going to know when they're ont of money Kitimat. and when they’re not?’’ Young, who was appointed to the Nisga’a Valley Health Board by the Nispa’a, noted that although other native proups have had problems in that area, the Nisga'a have a good record, “All the books are audited by chartered accountants,'” he said. Treaty costs debated COST-SHARING — squab- bles between Ottawa and Victoria already nearly killed the Nisga’a deal be- fore it was born. Now a similar dispute is brewing that could cause more problems between now and when the final treaty is negotiated. The deal includes provi- sions for government ser- vices — in education, health, welfare, and a range of other areas — to be pro- vided in Nisga’a lands. Money would be trans- ferred from Ottawa and Vic- toria to pay for those ser- vices, But assistant chief nepoti- ator Hugh Gordon said how that split will be calculated has nol been determined. Gordon said the issue will have to be resolved before a final treaty can be signed. Last summer, talks broke off after the feds and the province were unable to agree on a cost-sharing agreement because of dif- ferent’ estimates of bow much stumpage revenue B.C. would be giving up. That was — eventually resolved and talks resumed in the fall, ‘Nass. ~Nisga’a. tot ‘sleclhead from the Nass also. from selling off their land and ending up and allowing much of it io end up in other ihan Nisga’a hands, Ebbels said the Nisga’a in- dicate they’re wary. of that possibility, “They want 10 avoid: a repeal of the situation in Alaska where First Nations mortgaged all their settle- ment lands away over a rel- atively. short - time.” Negotiating, team. member Patrick O'Rourke predicted the Nisga’a: will be: placing “extia hoops’ iv thé con: stitution of the Nisga’a Cen- tral Gavernment to prevent that from happening. There were no. answers fortheoming to some ques- lions, however, such as queries about what will hap-. pen.to logging contractors: in the Nass. Also raised as an ‘issue was the implication of the treaty Cor unionized workers in the Nass. 7 Nisga’a Teachers Union president’ ~ . Ravi “Gill demanded to know whether the Nisga’a Schoo! District woould remain under ‘the provincial “school district system or whether it would become separate — akin to a charter school or private school, — ; A’ separate. system, he said, could mean an erosion of the collective bargaining Tights of teachers in the Ebbels admitted:he wasiv'l - sure on that point. Basic provincial labour re- lations slandards will apply, he said, A - provision _lake for the surplus drew the ire of some. “Why can’t we leave the Steelhead, particularly the summer ru asa protected species,” said Kitimat resi- dent Bill Dawson. “! dont think there are any problems with the accounting you're gelling from the Nisga’a.’’ ment. ‘We're well-covercd, Well represented. - And i'm proud to be a part of it,”* he said. Young said he’s satisfied with the agrec- **They’ve answered all the concems that | have,’ he said. ‘‘I’m very happy with the way this has turned out.” Young said he wants to see people be- come more open-minded about the Nisga’a. “They're people up there. We've gol to. get past this ‘we-they’ stuff"? ‘Tye found the people that I’ve been dealing wilh to be hanourable. And if you'd seen the way they work. -— and their dedication to their cause — it’s admirable. Negotiator Hugh Gordon said a Nisga’a Central Government would be subject to all the same accounting. practices and proce- dures as any other ievel of government. secs Ly & kd oF see<. SS period. -of The negotiators also came under fire from Trappers’ Association representative Rob Seaton, who said the amount of land that would be managed as a new wild- dite’ managenvent area was very large. After the meeling, many people said they recognize the land claim question must be resolved, but said they “Wvive reservations about any agreement — that ~ doesn’t inake everyone equal, Vie Dean predicted the deal will cntrench = die ferences and lead lo more inequality, more racism and more tensions. , “The whale thing is wrong. because it’s racist,” he said. “Ts nol like we were the explorers who came here,’’ said 13-year-old. Thornhill Jr Secondary student Carla Gemeinhardl. ‘‘Why should we have to pay for the mis- takes everybody —_— else made.” Ebbels said that the per- | ception among some that the scitlement is . somehow eoing to create a‘separate state is out to lunch. The Criminal Code and Charter of Rights will apply there as everywhere else in the land. And many Jaws — from the Forest Practices Code to environmental assessnsnt rules — that don’t now app- ly to native reserve land will apply: to the Nisga’a lands under the treaty, More ‘pubiic mectings are anticipated, but before that will likely be the formal Signing of the agreement-in- principle = — expected to lake place Mar. 22 in New Ajyansh, . Tt could be anywhere from several weeks to a couple of months before the restart of formal negotiations to word the final text of the treaty. Bill Young Sunny days, Cool nights. And sea lians Wedting sunghisses. A sure sign that spring is present in our part of the west. So why not enjoy an carly and unhurried hello to this wonderful season in charming Victoria, Or pick up the pace.a bit in vibrant VICTORIA 1 $345, Alijate andl aeconimocdation for trea nights, K AVERY G7 JR Canad’ 20 gfe Slo, Polka OEP GI RE/MAX RE/MAX’ RE/MAX RE/MAX RE/MAX BC Ti a1 gs |o Play. Call your bavel agent or Atr BC Vacations al 1-800-561-4199. Choice of 47 hotels, Priced based on double occupancy per person, taxes extra Minium: of (wo nights stay. out business days advance purchase required. Rates subject to avallabllity, Packages are none etransterible and alt and al sales are final, (Ade enicing space daunted By ahis pabbiauens < rad << mm, ding Achi 2 = Outstanding Achievement © 7 = <— lead A —~ = Ass REMK Fe BEAT THE ODDS | fj <@f or terrace z ON wh LUNG DISEASE | Ej Congratulates bad Arm yourself with z John Evans = the latest lung . on his a - f nos - n agai: Pets from E{ “Outstanding z " Lung me Achievement” = Association, oc be BRITISH COLUMBIA for the month of February. In recognition of this —iq “| LUNG ASSOCIATION = accomplishment, John is pleased to make this = Naneourer, BC. VGl M2 P month's donation to the Terrace Animal Shelter. > - RE/MAX | RE/MAX RE/MAX RE/MAX RE/MAX TERRACE HOUSING REGISTRY Do you have a house, trailer, apartment or room for rent? Are you looking for rental accommodations? We are starting our 2nd year of operation and know that many people have rental space or are searching for homes to rent. Contact us today, we are ready to assist you. We provide a number of services to landlords and ten- ants, including: - matching landiords & tenants - workshop & advice about Residential Tenancy Law - move in/move out inspections - mediation | - assistance with Tenancy Agreements - assistance from the Tenancy Advocate We currently have a base in excess of 100 rentals and 300 tenants to draw from. PHONE 635-4044 ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE (iid fropect wads made podsiite through funding from the Community Pouring Tuctiatives campouenta of HOHMES EE Consumer Services SUPERNATURAL BRETISU COLUMBIA Vancouver which is indeed, "Spectacular by Nature” Of course, both offer year-round entertainment, shopping, arts and incomparable dining, Just bring along an open AirBC’ Ay mind. And your favourite pair of sunglasses. VANCOUVER ™ $333, Afrtve avid accammadation for two wights