kilometres of land, Nisga’a Tribal Council president Joe Gosnell and B. hy “No longer beggars in our own lands” By JEFF NAGEL AMID THUNDEROUS drumming, Nisga’a _. ‘elders stepped out of a canoe last Tuesday in an emotional end to a century-old quest. ‘* The canoe symbolized the completion of a journey began 111 years ago when Nisga’a leaders paddled to Victoria seeking title to their land, but were turned away by then Premier - Smithe. -4 The ensuing ceremony in New Aiyansh’s new - Tecreation and cultural centre Aug. 4 saw nego- tiators and politicians for B.C., Canada and the . Nisga’a initial the treaty completed on July 15. The deal, still to be ratified by the three sides, promises $190 iillion, nearly 2,000 square resources, ‘and self- “ government. tet 'No longer beggars in our own lands, we now go forward with dignity, equipped with the con- ‘fidence that we can: make important coutribu- tions — social, political and economic — to Ca- -wadian society,’’ Nisga’a Tribal Council presi- ‘dent Joe Gosnell said in a stirring address. “The Nisga’s treaty proves, beyond all doubt, that negotiations — not lawsuits, not road- blocks, not violence — are the most effective, niost honourable way to resolve aboriginal is- Talstra backs treaty deal ‘ TERRACE MAYOR Jack Talstra has thrown his support behind the Nisga’a treaty. “Ym certainly supportive,’”’ said Talstra said last Tues- day in New Aiyansh, where he congratulated Nisga’a Tribal Council president Joe Gosnell on the deal’s comple- tion. ‘*For us in the northwest think it bodes well,’’ Talstra ‘said. “We now know what the rules are going to be. They may be slightly different from what they were before, but at Ieast we know what they are. And good entrepreneurs that we are, we'll] work within those rules.” _ He said people must remember that the treaty is a com- promise in which all sides gave ground, but described it as being ‘‘about as good as it can get’’, bringing a measure of certainty and a large economic boost to the region. **Really what’s the alternative? Finally southem B.C. has woken up and thinks it’s a big secret thing. But this has been going on for five years,” he added, Talsira said the City of Terrace was kept well informed through the provincial consultation process, ‘*It’s not nearly as mysterious as southern people seem to think,’ he added. “This has been a five-year process where anybody interested could plug in.” ’ Some areas of the deal will bear close watching, how- ever, “I'm a little nervous about access to Nisga’a lands in terms of wildlife and recreational use in terms of sportfish- ing for example,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what kind of niles will follow. But the Nisga’a are extremely intelligent people and I think they’ll work those things out.” Even in the area of forestry — where some estimates suggest up to 60 logging Jobs now held by non-natives could be lost as control is handed over to the Nisga’a — Talstra said he believes the challenges can be met. “Let’s be honest and up front about this,’’ he said. “We've lost more jobs than that just recently.” ‘‘In some cases we’re going to have to think of something else to do. And we can — those things are possible,”’ he said. ‘"We’re certaiuly capable of replacing those jobs and creating new ones.” With creativity and encrgy, he said, new opportunities _and joint ventures can be found in partnership with the Nisga’a if all northwesterners work together. Recent difficulties such as the Skeena Cellulose crisis -underscore the need for unity in the region, he said. “We will always have to face the world,” he said. “We're always going 10 tave to band together and face those challenges together.’ But he says it will be primarily up to a younger genera- tion of northwesterncrs — both Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a — to decide what path will be followed. “‘We stand at the cross roads,”’ Talstra said, ‘‘We can become. more inclusive with this treaty in terms of cooperation between Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a society. If that’s what the next generation wants that opportunity is there.’” sues in this country,’’ he said. “Today, as you are my witness, the Nisga’a canoe returns to the Nass River with a cargo of hope and reconciliation.’ Premier Glen Clark got one of the loudest ovations when he spoke in Nisga’a: ‘‘This is a great day to be Nisga’a and British Colum- bian.”’ The premier, there along with numerous other members of the NDP government, sounded a note of caution that a big fight is still ahead. ‘We will have to confront the words and deeds of those who would deny our history,” Clark said. “Those who are blind to the in- justice of the past and who reject 30 years of ne- gotiation and compromise.” Federak Indian and northern affairs minister Jane Stewart said the trealy would help create jobs and improve the Nisga’a standard of living. - “Much of the financial settlement will help pay to bring schools, health-care centres, roads, sewer systems and other infrastructure up to the standards enjoyed by neighbouring com- munities,” she said. It was also an opportunity for the Nisga’a lo celebrate their achievement and honour their heroes, NISGA'A DANCERS wait on the stairs leading up from the main entry way to the main hall where the treaty Initialling took place. The -sound of drums rolled through the hali at various times during the ceremonies Aug. 4. CEREMONIAL COPIES of the Nisga’a land claims treaties are held Clark and the Aug. 4 initialling in New Alyansh. Each spoke about up by, from the lett, federal Indian Affairs minister Jane Stewart, the importance of treaties to natives and to other citizens for the C. Premier Glen certainty and opportunity they bring to individuals and to society. _ Nisga’a celebrate treaty Nisga’a elders such as Rod Robinson, Frank Calder and Hubert Doolan — all fong-serving leaders of the cause —- were honoured. *It gives me a lump in my throat to stand be- fore you on this great moment,’’ said the 80- year-old Doolan. ‘I never dreamed I'd see this day."” ‘Because of the Nisga’a, over 40 per cent of the land mass of Canada became negotiable,”’ added Robinson, ““We paved the way.” And in one haunting moment, a minute of si- Jeuce was declared for aii those elders who had died waiting for a treaty to be completed. Sur- viving relatives in the room called out the names in memory. Numerous awards were presented by the Nisga’a to their negotiators, and Clark presented Gosnell with a gavel for the new Nisga’a government, Jim Aldridge, the legal counsel for the Nisga’a for many years, was also honoured with one of the loudest bouts of drumming and cheering. Gosneli also thanked former premier Bill Vander Zalm and aboriginal affairs minister Jack Weisgerber for bringing the province to the negotiating table. Hele The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 12, 1998 - A5 MP to conduct B.C.-wide poll SKEENA REFORM MP Mike Scott says he’s going to commission a province-wide poll to determine what people think about the Nisga’a treaty and whether they ‘want a chance to vote on ils acceplance. It’s the jatest in a series of statements fram Scott who opposes key aspects relating to self government and the guarantee of a Nisga’a fishery on the Nass. Scott believes a majority of Skeena constituents and 4 majority of the people in B.C. want a referendum. “Te]'m proven wrong, I’d be quite happy to pack up my toys and go home,” said Scott late last week. The MP added that he has faith in the public in reach- ing a rational and reasonable conclusion on the Nisga’a treaty initialled last week in New Aiyansh. Scott said he’s been in contact with federal Reform caucus and communications officials om putting out bids for a poll. “T want to ensure the questions that are asked are as unbiased as possible so they can’t be taken as being skewed,’’ said Scott. wo ye tase “What I am tying to find out is what my con- stituents want and ]’ll take direction from them,’’ he said. That follows Reform policy of MPs supporting the positions of their con- stituents even if they dis- agree, the MP continued, Seatt’s also challenged NDP premier Glen Clark to call an election on the Nisga’a treaty. The premier has discounted calls for a referendum, saying instead the treaty will be subject to ratification by the provincial legislature instead. Clark has also called the deal his own and seems ready to stake his political future on ils acceptance. “Tf Clark really thinks he’s on solid ground with this Nisga’a deal ... then enough with the bluster and empty rhetoric — dissolve the legislature and call an election at once,”’ said Scoit, “T can’t think of a better or more compelling issue that affects us all,”’ Scott continued of the treaty. The MP also responded to criticism that he wasn’t in New Aiyansh for the treaty initialling Aug. 4 by saying he couldn’t go to something he docsn’t support, As well, Scott said he received a faxed invitation late on July 31, the Friday before the initialling. “By that time I had already made a commitment to be in Vancouver to be on CTY and I indicated that ona response faxed back,’’ he said. “But even if I had not made that commitment, I would not have attended.’’ The MP did not say he wouldn’t attend a final sign- ing of the treaty should it be ratified, “Ses a litle premature to say I would do or not do something a year or two down the road,’’ said Scott in adding it will depend upon what his constituents want. kk kkk mons .. WILLIAMS LAKE residents appear to want a vote on the Nisga’a treaty, indicates an unscientific poll con- ducted by The Williams Lake Tribune. “ee The paper Aug. 4 asked people to call in and respond : to the question, ‘‘Do you think the provincial govem- ment should hold a referendum on the Nisga’a deal?” By the next afternoon, 50 people indicated ‘yes’ and 17 gave ‘no’ as an answer, said Tribune editor Bill Phillips. Mike Scott Overlap remains THE NISGA'A and the Gitanyow may be back trying to resolve their territorial overlap problem within two weeks. They were busy last week talking to the federal | government about choosing a mediator to oversee over- lap resolution discussions. But for now, the Gitanyow remain unhappy that the. federal and provincial governments initialled the Nisga’a treaty Aug. 4, saying the document affects lands and resources they also claim. What Gitanyow chiefs want, said spokesman Herb Russell fast week, is an agreement with the Nisga’a to’ share resources from lands they both claim. ‘ “Instead they scem to want to extinguish our rights | and title in favour of themselves, not establish shared jurisdiction,” he said. The Gitanyow have for years been saying as much as. 80 per cent of thelr claimed territory in the upper Nass ° Valley has also been claimed by the Nisga’a and con- sequently has been taken wp in the latter’s land claims talks. Several attempts over the years to resolve the - overlap have failed. It was at one thne government policy to not settle land claims if overlaps remained. That changed with the Nisga’a treaty which now indicates aboriginal proups can seck court action if they feel they have rights affected by the document. The treaty says clauses and provisions can be changed if a court decision relating to an overlap sub- sequently alfects Nisga’a rights set out in the treaty. The treaty also states the two governments will com- pensate the Nisga's for rights lost as a result of a court decision relating to an overlap. Russell said that roughly one square mile of Gitanyow claimed territory is contained within the Nisga’a core lands agrecd to in the treaty. That means substantial other lands were bargained away by the Nisga’a that also belong to the Gitanyow, he said. “We think they gave away too much,’” said Russell. He said Gitanyow chiefs are also disturbed that the Nisga’a want them to recognize smaller pieces of fee simple land given to the Nisga’a that are contained within Gitanyow territory. The Nisga’a last year drafted a memorandum of un- derstanding for signing by themselves and the Gitanyow but Russell said it was weighted too much in favour of the Nisga’a, Russell added that the Nisga’a Tribal Council has never spoken to Nisga'a members of the Gitanyow LuuHon house, It is these house members whose land is taken up in the overlap and who wercn’t properly represented dur- ing treaty negotiations, sald Russell. ‘We're in favour of mediation but we want it to in- volve all members of LuuHon and not have the Nisga’a Tribal Council act for them,” he said.