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 $1.5 million to the ‘Sports Fishing Institute of B.C. for an extensive ‘advertising campaign telling people they can still -fish for sport in B.C. > This is to counteract the overpowering bad ‘news of the closure of the commercial and ‘recreational fishery in areas to protect ‘endangered coho stocks. ' But those ads address the coast and the south, ‘not the Skeena River, where major closures have "hit hard. Fishing is still permitted in some spots ‘here, yet angling tourists won’t know that be- icause those ads don’t tell them that. : It’s hard not to feel that once again the interests ‘of the north are being ignored. | wo 4 ' ‘ ' 4 ’ } ‘ ' ae ’ ' ‘ 4 , ——$———— i= PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Rod Link ADVERTISING MANAGER: Brian Lindenbach PRODUCTION MANAGER: Edouard Credgeur NEWS Jeff Nagel » NEWS/SPORTS: Christiana Wiens NEWS/COMMUNITY: Alex Hamilton STUDENT: Anita Dolman OFFICE MANAGER: Sheila Sandover-Sly CIRCULATION MANAGER: Karen Brunette ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS: Sam Bedford, Janet Viveiros " TELEMARKETER: Patricia Schubrink . 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Special thanks to all our contributors and correspondents for their time and talents 1 ' " 4 4 ' 4 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! ,