Page A2 - Terrace Standard, Wetnestay, March 27, 1997. Province inks agreement to settle Nisga’ a claim | NEW AIYANSH — It was an historic moment for the Nisga’a last Wednesday as they watched B.C, native affairs minister Jack Weisgerber sign an agree- ment committing.the province to land claims negotiations. The agreement, also signed by federal native affairs minister Tom Siddon, ‘replaces _an earlier one between the Nisga’a and the federal govern- ment. For more than a century the B.C, government had refused to acknowledge the Nisga'a claim to 9,000 square miles centered tative Harry Nyce." & The eight-page agre ment © lists land, resources, compensa- tion and: self-government | as among the subjects © up. for negotiation. ~ Weisgerber said developing a process to protect logging, min- ing and fishing-resources in the region while the negotiations are going on will be ‘‘one of the early challenges.” He said third parties may be - consulted for advice, but won't be part of the negotiations, But the province is committed. to keeping people | ieee 1 Deadlines are for this week only: CS EDITORIAL DEADLINES . eae | corel deinen ina eo ee ee ee ee ee ~ —— -\ NOTICE 7 HOLIDAY DEADLINES: oe “FOR THE APRIL 3 ISSUE © OF THE TERRACE STANDARD “Al advertisers and contributors are advised that, all “day holidays. Contributed Copy Thursday, March 26 at Noon Le Letters. to the Editar Thursday, March 28 at Noon ADVERTISING DEADLINES cae: Display and Classified ‘Advertising Thursday, March 28 at Noon 4 OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, vascais oo -. MONDAY, APRIL 1,1001 6 os safe and enjoyable Easter weekend. ERRACE STANDARL “deadlines are one day earlier the week of the April 3 issue of tha Terrace Standard, due to the Geod Friday & Easter Sure . We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyoné a , on the Nass River valley. That changed last fall when premier Bill Vander Zalm announced about % Weisgerbe Faoeri ats, «[}2es2 . } a i 1 SERVING THE TERRACE AREA : | the province is prepared to start J talking. Last week’s agreement gives the three sides two years to Teach an agreement-in- principle. They begin talks April 9.. “There are now three flags here today,’ said Nisga’a Tribal Council (NTC) executive . director Rod Robinson. ‘‘We have been knocking on ithe doors of Canada for a long time. Today you see the result.” “The Nisga’a land question is a story that has taken 130 years,”*. said NTC president Alvin McKay. “It’s a story describing years when we had to tread water — when we had to almost go underground — with this matter of our Indianness, aboriginal title, aboriginal JACK WEISGERBER and Tam Sidon, native affairs ministers for the provincial and federal governments, were on hand as they and the Nisga'a signed an agreement to negotiate the latter’s claim. Nisga’a Tribal Council executive chairman Joe Gosnell has back to the camera. rights.” “There was a time in this’ story of the Nisga’a land ques- tion, along with the other In- dian people of British Colum- bia, when we were not permit- ted by law to even think about such things. And yes, our two ministers are very correct. There has been tremendous gains in overcoming those kinds of obstacles.” He called the framework agreement including the pro- vince a “sacred document” and said ‘serious implications and ramifications” would result if either of the two governments backed out of the negotiations, regardless of what - happens away from the bargaining table. Weisgerber predicted tough negotiations before an agreement-in-principle is reach- ed, “Now the real. business starts," added NTC represen- Mayor wants in on talks Jack Talstra TERRACE — Mayor Jack Talstra still insists the area needs a representative sitting in on the Nisga’a land claims talks. Despite being turned down by ythe-.federal and-:provineial “governments, Talstra: said-“last week that only a person from the northwest can give govern- ments advice on what kind of agreement would. most likely to be accepted here. “What on earth is wrong with that. I can’t see what's wrong with that,” said Talstra. “We would feel a whole lot more comfortable if one of . these guys (negotiators) was an Claims meetings seen TERRACE — The chamber of commerce wants to invite pro- vincial native affairs minister Jack Weisgerber and a represen- tative from the Nisga’a Tribal Council to talk about land claims. Chamber president Doug Smith said last week the idea is not to set up formal presenta- tions but to give local residents a chance to listen and to ask questions in a town hall meeting format. He said that it is important for local residents to have an opportunity to hear about land claims given their importance to. the northwest. . The Nisga’a Tribai Council was’ recently the host to a meeting held for the Northcoast regional economic development group of elected officials while Weisgerber spoke at a public meeting four weeks ago in Fort St. James. [LOSE IT ALL AND ONLY PAY FOR HALF* includes: loss meal plan * No calorie counting: Our: comprehensive program © Nutritionally balanced © Nutritional aupervision . 638-1 B00 Cottry Lyla hst4zios. « Safe and effective weight - aw, Le. TS area representative.” “I don’t know who the negotiators are but I would im- agine they are virtually all bureaucrats and for back up they’ve hired consultants. Peo- ple have some Suspions about. * bureaucrats” * “1 would ‘have thought they would have jumped at the op- portunity. If the final” agree- ment is a disappointment to the whites in this area, the provin- cial government could then say at least you guys had your guy there so don’t blame us, blame him,” Talstra said. The two senior governments and the Nisga’a have said that third parties — defined as peo- ple, companies or groups with an interest in the negotiations — won't be included in the talks but that they will be kept in- formed on the general nature of what is under discussion. Talstra finds that kind of pro- cess unacceptable given that a land claims agreement will have an impact on everybody living in the northwest. He said the term third party — doesn't apply to the city or to northwest citizens. “Pm a B.C. citizen with an extra special insight into the area by virtue of living here,'* said Talstra, waist RULN for mo aed nana sl ticipation. “It is crucial-that the people . of British Columbia — native and non-native alike — unders- tand what is happening around ff the negotiation table and how it may affect them, and that they might have a chance to discuss with us what they think might be done,” ' Weisgerber indicated the re- cent: B.C. Supreme Court judg- ment: against the land claim brought: by the Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en won't alter the province's decision to negotiate land claims. ‘ “Court decisions aside, the reality is British Columbia and Canada must come to grins with a prevailing sense of injustice felt by many people in British Columbia and across the soun- try. a . Crediting the Nisga’a for their ‘‘persistence’’ and ‘‘quiet dignity’’, Weisgerber said: “The Nisga’a people have waited a ‘long time for this day. ” Missing. iL SB oe TERRACE’—-A March-{3-arti- cle listing the board of directors Of the Terrace Anti-Poverty q Group ‘Society neglected to mention one of the board members. That person is Dan Buck. [ee BUNDLES] + Name: Camille Renee ‘ ‘dirt: Mar. 6, 4997 at 8:35 am — ; bs. 4oz. Bex: Female . > Parents: Guy & Lorie Palletiar : and bi brother Timmy ; Saby’s Name: Jared Ashton Taylor . Date & Time ef Bith: March 8, 1991 at 1:06 am -. ~ Weight: 6 Ibs. 30z. Sex: Male ; Parente: Glen & Shelly Taylor Baby's Hame: Taylor Lestay Woodcock ‘Data & Time of Birth: March 8, 1991 Weight: 7 Ibs. Goz Sax: Female ~ Parents: Karen & Mike Woodcock & Tyler : Baby's Nama: Stephanie Paige Anderson a Date & Time of Beth: March 10, 1991 at 12:46 pm ~ Weight: 10 tbs. 4 0z. Sex: Female Parants: Las & ingrid Anderson Sister for Danny Buhler tr INGE RBRE 3 oa PLIVHOUSE | 3f, . EASTER STOCK Be 20.% 7.50% OFF. 15% OFF Crayola ... gt 1 bas eX) Every Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday mee Are Grab Bag Days! @):— Skeena Mall Cather Up The ——— For _ The Terrace inn Ss Easter Buffet ‘Sunday, March 31 ALL DAY BUFFET 10 a.m. = 8 pn. We' ve gathered all. the taste and tradition of Easter for our annual buffet. Coma’ faast on: Roasted Spring Lamb, Baked Honey glazed Ham, Baron of Bee! and Eggs Benedict, Fresh fruits and tempting salads. And of course, a festive spread of fresh baked cakes, breads and desserts from our pastry kitchen. . The price? Just $10.85 for adults, ‘$7. 96 for seniors, $5. 96 for kids under 12, and ghikran under 3 are free. So bring the whole family to the Terrace Inn for Enster. But certainly dan t show up with any intentions of eating like a rabbit. * Note: The Easter Buffet la the only meal sérvice on ‘Sunday, March 34 between 10: 00 a am. and 8:00 pm. For Reservations Call 635: 6830 “COLOURING. CONTEST. All kids under. 12 are welcome to enter our Colouring Contest, during Easter Brunch: “Wel - ; give Kids -an Easter Bunny picture and crayons to colour, and prizee will be: awarded in 4 Several aus Groups. TEEN TRIVIA” All Teenagers can play Teen Trivia. Answer the questions correctly and win a free p: pass t Dolly’ 8 Teen Dance held every Friday and Saturday evenings at the Terrace inn, ve i 4551 @raig Ave. Terrace. 635-5236. |i «© Spactal otter doés not include cost of ax: we clusive NutriSystem food, New cllants only. os Offer valid al parang cent. 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