Page A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 28, 1992 Gov't playing claims catch TERRACE — Last weck’s dis- pute between the provincial and. federal governments over the Nisga’a land claim reveals some of the problems surrounding its negotiation. Those problems center on the provincial government which got in on the negotiations much later than did the federal government. And that’s caused it to-play catch up in an attempt to settle the claim. The provincial government did not join the claims talks until the fall of 1990, A formal agreement between the Nisga’a and the two governments wasn’t signed until the next year. So, This agreement calls for an agreement in principle to be in. place by March 1993, placing a sense of increasing urgency on 4 resolution, . From the front Yet it’s taken the provincial government a lot of time to prepare for the negotiations. Tis political philosophy also changed — from a stubborn So- cial Credit government to the NDP, which is more sympathetic to native claims. This lead to new negotiating positions on the part of the provincial government that took time to develop. ‘ The provincial government has also changed its chief negotiator four limes since it joined the talks, Jack Ebbels, the newest ne- gotiator, hired on in August. And the provincial government just this spring reacted to com- ments that it wasn’t doing enough explaining by meeting with inter- ested groups. , : But an August meeting attended Dispute becomes the framework agreement both parties can carry on consultations to the degree they feel is ap- propriate,’’ he said. Reardon said she-sent.a letter to Ebbels the third week of Septem- ber asking for a written as- suranice. ‘Since I wrote the letter about a month ago I had fully anticipated that I would be getting a reply to it. So to ‘hear. today at a media briefing that I’m not getting such a reply, I’m rather shocked,’ said Reardon. She added that since the interim agreement covers land and resources, which fall under provincial responsibility, it was up to the province to determine if adequate. discussion with third party groups had taken place. And she said the negotiations and the final outcome are at risk if the province has not taken the © proper steps to discuss the interim agreement with those affected. . Ebbels said he did send a letter to Reardon giving an outline of discussions the province had with third party groups, “I couldn’t comment on whether they were adequate or satisfactory. Whether they’re ultimately adequate or satisfac- tory will depend in large part on the people we talked to,’’ said Ebbels, Nisga’a Tribal Council execu- tive member Harry Nyce said he was disturbed at the outbreak be- tween Reardon and Ebbets. “Protecting the resources of our territory (is what) we're discuss- ing. It’s unfortunate officials can’t get around the issues,”’ said Nyce. “While we negotiate, the resources are marching out of our territory. Look outside this com- munity and see how many trucks: are coming in with the resources that we’re talking about,” le added. Things better, © says the mayor Pe GT REE MQ ee bee TERRACE — Mayor Jack Tal- stra isn’t sure what’s going on with the Nisga’a land claims ne- gotiations but he does know that things are getting a bit better. . Talstra, whose been critical about the lack of local involve- ment in the talks between the Nisga’a, the federal and provin- ciai governments, said a provin- . cial civil servant bas now been named to keep in tough with local governments, ; But he adds that the provincial government has a way to go in terms of telling local people what is going on and taking their opinions into account. Talstra was commenting on the provincial refusal to say in writ-, ing that there has-been an ade- quate consultation process on the interim protection measures agreement, . Oo That's become a requirement of the federal government before it will sign the agreement. Tl think there hus been, if your issue is openness. and communi- cation with local government on ease te advartt aAals Eye, Fa pabtieeige © 0a what is taking..place behind closed doors, improvements on the provincial side over the last few months,” said Talstra after meeting with federal and provin- cial negotiators last week, “My sense is that the federal side is more open and more agreeable to openness but their topics of negotiation are more limited,’’ he said. “The feds seems to be more willing to communicate with all of the population up here. If that’s what they have in mind with the interim protection measures (agreement) I can see, I can understand that point,” said Talstra. A reminder TERRACE — A reminder that the next meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13, takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3. The meeting begins at § p.m. All members please attend. feedback from industry represen- tatives, local government repre- sentatives,’’ he sald. Chief federal negotiator Gay Reardon said it’s important that the province take all the measures it can to assure that those affected by the interim agrecment are con- sulted. , by local government officials and civil servants was marred when provincial negotiators asked those in attendance to keep all informa- tion confidential. Mayor Jack Talstra walked out of that session, saying that he couldn’t sit through the meeting if he couldn’t tell Terrace resi- ABC CANADA © THE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE LITERACY IN CANADA. Distribution of this message was made possible by the Canadian Advertising Foundation. us “These negotiations aren't going to work unless this consul- tation takes place, This is why it’s so important that Canada receives | this assurance that the (interim protection measures agreement), which is solely the province’s re- sponsibility, they have consul- ted,’? she said. dents what as going on. Ebbels acknowledges that the provincial government could have done a better job but that a separate group to. negotiate the Nisga’a claim has now been set up. “The province has signed this agreement,’’ said Ebbels of the interim protection measures deal, ‘T have confidence in the con- sultation procedure we're now engaged in. It seems to be work- ing. We seem to be getting good Bavarian dun A ie _—e: ‘* ae ES wm. FOS: Restaurant Lentil Soup, Bavarian Pork Roast, Famers Feast, Sausages, Sauerkraut, Qumplings, AND LOTS OF “GEMEUTLIGHKEIT” Q Cores blic . 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On the same manufacturers product, “ Bring in a copy of anyone's ee and we will match or beat it. “ Yes, our evening Vancouver leaves jurst. - You don’t get to. a by. be the leader by standing (BGRY¢aykat still. AirBC isalwayson “Meera meme the look out for waysto - —-, improve our schedule, our service and our fleet. Case in point: To jet you into Vancouver sooner, we've moved up our evening departure. You asked for this latest change for the better and now .. your travel agent or AirCanada;s 635-7069. _ Se Se wes Ny, we'd like to hear from you again. Call” : m al F WEEKDAYS FROM TERRACE TO VANCOUVER .::; 8:50am 5:45pm | Weekend servicevaries, © 0 0 ee