Claims talks become tricky over issue of side deals By JEFF NAGEL TSIMSHIAN lands claim talks have bogged down on the issue of how easy it will be for individual bands to negotiate Side deals to a main treaty. Negotiators spent nearly two days last weck trying to resolve the tricky issue of making provision for sub agreements to the main treaty. Until” the “problem is resolved, a framework agreement paving the way for detailed negotiations — which was basically agreed to in March — can’t be signed. Iv’s a key issue for Tsim- shian leaders who need flex- ible treaty negotiations to assure each village | their concerns will be addressed. ‘Its an attempt to maintain our unily,”’ said Art Sterriti, a former tribal council president aud mem- ber of the negoliating team, ‘Seven far-flung and very different villages have come together under the banner of the ‘Tsimshian Tribal Coun- cil to press their land claim through the B.C. Treaty Commission. *:The Tsimshians in those villages bave a common bond of language, culture and a common tribal council to represent them. Bul in many other respects they are very different. The inland bands at Terrrace — Kitselas and Kitsumkalum — don’t have _ the same: interest in the ocean fishery as the bands on the coast. And the coastal Tsim- shians range from the urban natives of Prince Rupert to Alaskan Tsimshians at Met- lakatla, to the extremely remote villages of Harley Bay and Kitasoo far to the south. In the past, the Tsimshian political voice has been divided, with different orga- nizations _ - represent the group. ‘They’re now united, but holding the coalition togeth- er depends on negotiations tailored to their interests. “Ets been a critical issue since Day 1,’’ said Tsim- shian ‘chief negotiator Gerald Wesley, ‘“We don’t want to restrict ourselves in any way from addressing substantive issues.’? _ When there’s serious dif- ferences among the villages about how to deal with an issue, they want to break off that issue to a subagreement and negotiate it separately. ’ "We want to have con- attempting — {o.. TSIMSHIAN chief negotiator Gerald Wesley makes a point during open land claims talks last week at the Kitselas Community Hall. YOUR COLLEGE IN- YOUR COMMUNITY | ta! 1 TERRACE 008) CO-OP Family Fashions Dept. We have an excellent selection of Family Fashions in stock, CHECK THEM OUT! COMMUNITY ‘COLLEGE 4617 Greig Ave., Terrace © 695-6847 APPLYING FOR A JOB?... DO YOU NEED A RESUME?... LC’s Professional Typing offers a large selection of professionally designed & formatted documents. ‘fidence that when we run across these differences, we can deal with them,’’ Ster- ritt added. Federal and provincial ne- gotiators want to keep a Ught rein. on how that’s done, or else they fear one Tsimshian land claim nego- tiation could multiply into a set of seven parallel negotia- tions — at great cost to tax- payers. Federal negotiator Bill Zaharoff said they need to negotiate the broad princi- ples that will apply to all Once divided, the Tsimshian are now united hut staying together depends _on individual bands being able to have their own interests heard. villages in the overall treaty. “We're looking for con- sistency,’’ Zaharoff said. “There has to be a base of commonality, otherwise why are we negotiating as a group?”’ “Pm not prepared to see these negotiations break down to a whole series of subagreements with individ- ual Tsimshian First Na- tions.”’ Things that may gel nego- tiated separately with indi- vidual bands include certain fishery issues, and selection of land. Provincial negotiator Mark Stevenson said the overall amount and value of land would likely be negati- ated in the umbrella treaty, but the details of exactly where thal land will be may be negotiated individuaily with the member bands, The three parties basically agreed that there needs lo be something in the framework agreement that spells out that flexibility. But all sides also worried about conceding too much ground to the others. Hours of haggling over the wording finally ended Wed- esday with the idea of put- “ting ‘the assertion in a letter signed by the three negotia- tors, rather than an actual amendment to the frame- work agreement. If federal officials accept that plan, the letter could be drafted this week and the framework agreement could conceivably be signed this summer. Tsimshian leaders were hoping for a signing ceremony as early as late July, but that bas been put in doubt by the delay over sub- agreements. Formal negotiations toward an agreement-in- Storewide FABRIC & HOME DECOR “ue "K 20-70%. onc: 4717 Lakelse, Terrace - Phone Orders Welcome | 635-5315. Resumes Cover letters principle could start this fall Reports and are expected to last Overflow Typing three to four years. There are an estimated Desktop Publishing 10,000 Tsimshians. C | The traditional territory they claim takes in a third of the B.C. coast from just north of Bella Bella to the Alaskan border, The claim area extends inland to Ter- race and upriver beyond Call 635-7037 Usk. THERE'S A BIG, BAD BRUTE | FORCE COMING TO TOWN. t fo WIN HUMMER XLC2 am rOUN ‘ary ~ Ir’s Fountain Tire’s 40th Anniversary and we're celebrating by touring western Canada with a Hummer XLC2, Nissan Altima and Honda ATV? Drop by Fountain Tire for great savings, big a NS cayeannet celebrations and your chance to win a Hummer XLC2, Nissan Altima or Honda ATV! The Fountain Tire Hummer Tour is coming soon! 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