AA- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 12, 1993

TERRACE.

STANDARD

ESTABLISHED APRIL 27, 1988

PUBLISHER: ROD LINK
ADDRESS: 3210 Clinton Street Terrace, B.C. * V8G 5R2
TELEPHONE: (250) 638-7283 * FAX: (250) 638-8432
EMAIL: standard@kermode.net

: Number two? —

t THE MAJOR land claims issue is not so much
‘ whether the Nisga’a treaty is good or bad or
: whether it will work but this —- can the second
: one be signed.

It took millions of dollars and years of painstak-
ing and detailed work to agree to the Nisga’a
treaty which, in retrospect, might go down as a
relatively easy document to assemble.

Let’s not forget that the Nisga’a are far better
‘organized than the majority of other native
* oroups and had a coherent vision of what they
- wanted. The federal and provincial governments
‘ were also eager to prove they could negotiate a
} settlement, particularly with the Supreme Court
» edging toward a definition of native rights and
‘title much broader than what would be widely
> accepted by the bulk of Canadian society.

: The isolated nature of the Nass Valley, the lack
- of large tracts of land being under private owner-
: ship and the Nisga’a being the dominant resident
: sroup of the valley meant there were fewer com-
: peting interests than is the case in other areas,

: But Treaty Number Two will be much dif-
: ferent. All other native groups in B.C. in various
‘stages of negotiations come under the umbrella
tof the B.C. Treaty Commission, a creation of
‘federal, provincial and native groups described
: as the ‘‘keeper of the process’’.

: Although meant to be a neutral presence, the
ission’s membership is made up of

we ee Ee ee ee

were ee eee eee

treaty commi
competing political interests which invariably
*have an influence over actual treaty talks. The
‘provincial government, for example, was ex-
‘tremely unhappy with the treaty commission ear-
: lier this year and expressed that by opposing the
‘re-appointment of chief treaty commissioner
: Alec Robertson. That kind of action can only in-
» crease any bad feelings.

' “And; ‘as tréaty talks tove’ into’ the tote popu-
‘ Jatéd areas of the province, greater problems and
‘challenges will occur. It will boil down to the
‘personal level — for example access by non-
‘natives to recreational, fishing and hunting areas.
‘How human beings conduct themselves in their
‘daily affairs within the context of treaty clauses
‘will ultimately define the overall success and ac-
ceptance of land claims treaties.

Ignored again

‘SO, THE federal Department of Fisheries and
‘Oceans has turned over $1.5 million to the
‘Sports Fishing Institute of B.C. for an extensive
‘advertising campaign telling people they can still
-fish for sport in B.C.

> This is to counteract the overpowering bad
‘news of the closure of the commercial and
‘recreational fishery in areas to protect
‘endangered coho stocks.

' But those ads address the coast and the south,
‘not the Skeena River, where major closures have
"hit hard. Fishing is still permitted in some spots
‘here, yet angling tourists won’t know that be-
icause those ads don’t tell them that.

: It’s hard not to feel that once again the interests
‘of the north are being ignored. |

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; Sarving the Terrace and Thomhill area. Published on Wednesday of each weak at 3210 Clinton Street,

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Sky

ME AA

NELSON - Just heard that Bob
Williams, the most powerful cabinet
minister in the Dave Barrett govern-
ment, was appointed chairman of
the Insurance Corporation of B.C.

Liberal opposition leader
Gordan Campbell is not impressed.
Normally, I wouldn’t be either, but
I've just travelled from Grand Forks
to Nelson, along one of the most
wildly romantic roads, leading over
a high mountain pass, flanked by
seemingly endless forests, and
frankly, couldn’t care less about one
more patronage appointment.

At its highest elevation, the
toad was in bad shape. A sign pro-
claiming “Your Tax Dollars at
Work,” informed me that the next 15
or so kilometres are about to be
“rehabilitated.” It seemed about
time, aud I make a mental note, not
to get too nasty next time] comment
on the highways budget.

On my way to Graad Forks, I
had come through Greenweod, a
small place [ remembered only as an
extremely dilapidated town. It may
not yet have quite managed the tran-
sition from ugly duckling to swan,
but what I saw was impressive.

Building facades sported new
paint jobs. There were a couple of
sidewalk cafes. I saw a new park
and playground that hadn’t been
there before, Later I would Jearn that
Greenwood owes its rebirth in part

We
ame 4:4
4s

“FROM THE CAPITAL
HUBERT BEYER

to 4 movie shot there earlier this
year, “Snow Falling on Cedars” or
something to that effect,

Asked what the town wanted in
payment for providing the set, folks

. opted for part money and part town’
- renovations. It seems to have beena *

wise choice.

Nelson is in Doukhobor coun-
try, and if you like Russian food, this
is the place to come to, And if

youre looking for a place to stay,

the Heritage Inn, in the heart of
downtown Nelson is it. -

The history of the Heritage Inn
is intimately tied to the story of
Nelson itself. Last March, the hotel
celebrated its 100th birthday.

It is pioneer J. Fred Hume,
elected Member of the Provincial
Parliament for the Kootenay in

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE “
TO RETURN ANY LAND |
TOTHE INDIANS... |

_ ITWAS ALL STOLEN.. be

ia

the Kootenays

1894, who builds what becomes
known as the Hume Hotel in 1898,
For years, the hotel is regarded as
the most luxurious hostelry between
Winnipeg and Vancouver.

In 1897, Hume assists the pas-
sage of the incorporation bill for
Nelson and in 1898, he is appointed
Provincial Secretary and Minister of
Mines. A strong advocate for the
working man, Hume becomes
instrumental in the passage of the
“eight-hour law” for mine
employees.

In 1907, Hume sells the hotel,
tuming to other business interests.
The hotel is renovated in 1929, and
continues to operate successfully for
many years.

But time catches up with the
grand old lady and she falls into dis-

tepair, By, the late 1970s, the hotel
_has. become, a run-down flop. house: -...

with a seedy bar and is close to
being condemned. City council is
considering having the hotel torn
down to make room for a parking
lot. ,

Enter Dave Martin, a man with
a dream, a dream to restore the hotel
to its former glory. It isn’t easy to
sell the idea to a wary city council,
but more than a million dollars later,
Martin has realized his dream.

Renamed the Heritage Inn, the
old Hume Hotel is, once more, the
grand lady of Nelson. Present at the

opening ceremony in December
1980, is Freeda Hume-Bolton,
daughter of J. Fred Hume, the origi-
nal owner. _

The ambience of the Heritage
Inn, with its beautiful wood work
and period furnishings, reminiscent
of Victoria’s Empress Hotel, ties in
perfectly with the image of Nelson,
a small city that, nevertheless, has a
cosmopolitan flavor, laying claim to
having more bookstores and Phd’s
per population than any other place
in Canada,

The price is right, too: $62 a
night, including full breakfast for
two. I've paid more in substandard
motels,

Tomorrow I’m going to look up
Leme Nicolson, former MLA for
Nelson-Creston. Nicolson owns a

‘computer store in Nelson, and I’ye

got to get on the Internet to file this
column.

’ Lalso want to have a couple of
drinks with my old friend John
Smith, former owner of the Grand
Forks Gazette, and now publisher of
the Nelson Daily News, part of
Conrad Black’s Sterling chain,
which bought his paper, probably
for a fortune, which is why I will
make him pay for the drinks. Beyer
can be reached at: Tel: (250) 920-
9300; Fax: (250) 356-9597; E-mail:
hubert@coolcom.com

Thumbs up for the treaty

FINALLY, BRITISH
Columbia’s first and only native
treaty in this century has been cere-
moniously signed in New Aiyansh.
School children should have no
trouble recalling Aug. 4, 1998 as the
date. Puppeteer Shari Lewis died the
day before,

Whether B.C. and the federal
government gave too much, or
whether the Nisga’a got too little,
remains to be seen. In 50 years we'll
know, I’m happy the Nisga’a deal
has conchided.

Already some benefits have
resulted. Premier Glen Clark and
federal minister Jane Stewart have
added a unique specimen to their
ballpaint pen collections, A talking
stick of plastic rather than yellow
cedar.

Airline and hotel bookings
must be way up as compared to this
time last year, thanks to all the to-ing
and fro-ing as this treaty culminated.
And dozens of media people, some
from as far away as New Zealand,
many of whom might not otherwise

THROUGH: BIFOGALS:
CLAUDETTE SANDECKI

ANOTHER THAW AND
MY TIPS WILL BE

ON You 24sr /TH
FAgLI! é

think to explore our region, have had
their whirlwind Nass tour, Surely a
few will return for private vacations.
More MLAs and federal MPs
have had a‘ first-hand look at the
Nass, ils 1940s-style highway, and
New Aiyansh’s gravel streels.
_.Nisga’a artisans got to show off
their skills. According to a TY
report, the ceremonial ‘headdress
worn by Chief Joe Gosnell was

Too LITLE SNOW!

FOREST FIRES
ARE Comin G Lit

CLEAR CUTS Oa/ \ BT
DLY SPRING HEIC|\| That MounTAIN

SOvV7TH of US f/

carved precisely for the signing
ceremony. But from whence cometh
the ermine tails on his headdress? I
didn’t think our modern wildernesss
of clearcuts and renegade skidoo
trails could scare up that many wild
weasels.

Liberal leader = Gordon
Campbell’s insistence on a referen-
dum bothers me. If his Liberals had
achieved this treaty he’d scuttle all
notion of a non-native vote on the
deal. But it’s the nature of politicians
to criticize the accomplishments of
olhers, especially the governing
party. Look at Chretien’s Liberals;
they clung to Mulroney’s hated GST
once they succeeded him to power-
where they could wallow in GST
largesse.

Most obvious throughout the
Aug, 4 initialling was the unstinting

support and praise from the other -

native chiefs. Even chiefs who
steadfastly opposed the deal, some
to the point of taking it to court, nev-
ertheless had the good grace not to
rain on Chief Gosnell’s parade.

A MINING CLAIM
THIS WINTER!

Hearktwaop.,’
Tim LEAKING
SAWDUST /!

Not so white politicians.
Reform MP Mike Scott and Gordon
Campbell refused to attend the cere-
mony on behalf of their constituents,
because each man personally dis-
agrees with the treaty or its process.
Neither man was big enough to set
aside his personal ambitions, prefer-
ring ta sulk because his back wasn’t
receiving the pats.

I look for this treaty to let
Nisga’a people borrow from banks
like the rest of us to start businesses,
renovate homes, pay for their kids’
college educations, They'll be able
to develop an economy on their
doorstep, just as we try to do, instead
of moving to find jobs.

As they benefit, so will the
northwest. Where our taxes would
have forever paid Indian Affairs’
expenses, that money will boost the
Nass into its own economic orbit.
How high they reach is now theirs to
decide.

No longer are the Nisga’a
Indian Act puppets.

AH! THE PEACEFUL
UN TROUBLED SERENITY

OF THE NORTHERN FOREST 1! ,