Gov't promises more speed to end land claims dilemma . By JEFF NAGEL PROVINCIAL ABORIGINAL affairs min- ister Dafe Lovick says the province will move forward wilh its plan for accelerated iecaty negotiations —to gesolve the uncertainty aris- ing from the Supreme Court pf Canada’s Delgamuukw yuling. ‘ Lovick is under fire from businesses who fear the un- fertainty springing from the fourt ruling will freeze eco- nomic development and from natives who fear the treaty process is grinding to a halt. | In the six months since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Gitxsan land claim case, treaty negotiations have slowed down, uncertainty has steadily increased, and in some cases, logging has been beld up by an in- creased = requirement —_ for consultation. , Lovick’s answer is to em- bark on whirlwind talks with native groups through- out B.C, to quickly establish the total commilment of land, resources and cash heeded to setile treaties province-wide. oT] Ses : Dave Jeph THE TERRACE Fire De- partment is out to help a lo- cal burn survivor by having a pancake breakfast Canada Day, July 1, at the firehall, * Proceeds will go to the B.C, Fire Fighters’ Bura Fund which in turn is help- ing Terrace resident Robyn Morris who fell a burn- Ing pile of leaves when she Was two years ald. * Now 10, Robyn has been io the Vancouver General burn unit six times and to a summer camp mn by firefighters for bum sur- yivors four times, : She’s off in July to the tamp and again in August for more surgery. : “This is an appropriate way to show our support,” firefighter Dave Jephson daid of ihe breakfast. . The breakfast begins at 8 ¢.m. and runs until 11 a.m. ‘The Vancouver General burn nit came aboul as the fesult of a $1 million dona- Gon from the B.C. Profes- sional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. Paul LeBrun Territory Manager J. (Slan} Tamer, Regional Manager, for Van Kam Freightways Lid. is Pleased to announce the appointment of Paul LeaBrun ta the position of “Territory Manager for the West lane, In his capacity, Paut will ba respon- sibte for tha Territory of Bums Lake, Houston, Smithers, Hazetton, Terrace, Kitimat, & Prince Rupe. Paul would fika lo invita all of his fiends and past customers to call him fo discuss their freight needs, Paul brings with him 6 years of ratall experiance at a Management level, this background brings a serious com: mitment lo Customer Service. Van Kam Freightways Ltd. is a transportation system hauling freight for friends, since 1947, “We have got ta do some- thing to break the log jam,’’ Lovick told The Standard, “We've got to do some- thing that will persuade not only First Nations people but also resource = com- munities . that we are resolved to do this and it isn’t going to be the case that everything stops until we get there 20 years from now.” Adding up the talal amount of land, resource and cash required to settle treaties in B.C. would send a signal that treaties will be reached and indicate 10 busi- ness exactly what lahd will be subject to them and what land won’t be. Detailed negotiations on self-government and other issues on cach treaty would wait until later, “We want this to give us a blueprint for how to proceed So we can take away the anxiety,’’ Lovick said. But so far there’s no in- dication that native groups or the federal government are ready to buy into Lovick’s plan, Talks began in April be- tween Canada, B.C, the Dale Lovick First Nations Summit and the Assembly of First Na- tions. Several weeks have passed without a deal and the partics are now closing in on a June 30th deadline with nothing resembling the over-arching agreement Lovick is seeking. ‘Nothing has happened," says Assembly of First Na- lions B.C. vice-chief Herb George. ‘‘I think it’s just a lolal waste of time.” “The effect on the econo- my is starting to be felt. My personal feeling is we could have taken the necessary Sleps and we could have had the process in place now in order to deal with it,”” The Jack of progress and left other events have George and other native leaders skeptical about the province’s commitment to "the treaty process, Oue incident that added to the confusion was the government’s decision last “month not to renew the ap- pointment. of B.C. Treaty Commission chief cum- missioner Alec Robertson, who was the neutra over- secr of the treaty pracess. “We're wondering what the devil is going on in the minds of the province of British Columbia,” Tsim- Shian chief negotiator Gerald Wesley said. Lovick said agreement has been elusive, and added that he’s also waiting for the federat government to agree to pul money forward up front to kick-start the pro- cess. And he said B.C, is giving written assurances to tribal councils that they won't be giving up their autonomy by joining the process. As good as it gets. Skeena Broadcasters, Terrace CABLE PACKAGE 25 Video Channels, o Music Channels $411° SEALCOATING PROJECT UNDERWAY Drive With Caution Beginning June 15th, a sealcoating project will be underway on several side roads in the Terrace Area including Old Remo Road, Robin: Road, Old Lakelse Lake Road, Brauns Istand Roads and Gossen Creek Subdivision. This project is intended to increase safety by improving the driving surface and reducing the amount of dust on these roads. While the project is underway, motorists can expect some delays and | should allow extra time to reach their destinations. Motorists are also advised to drive slowly through the project to prevent potential damage to vehicles. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways is advising residents to ensure children and pets are kept away fram the sealcoating as it passes by your homes. This is to ensure their safety and fo avoid tracking oil into homes and vehicles. Your cooperation is appreciated. The project is expected to be complete by mid August. For more information contact the District Highways Office at 638-6440. Ministry of Transportation and Highways Better TV. 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