Gitxsan agree to resume treaty talks New land claim court case will be put on hold — for now GITXSAN chiefs have agreed to halt their new land claim court case and go back to the negotiating table, “We're preparing to re- sume treaty negotiations with the Gitxsan and Ca- nada with a goal of reach- ing, an agreement-in-prin- ciple,” aboriginal affairs ministry spokesman Peter Smith said Friday, Just four months ago it appeared ail chances of a negotiated settlement had ended when the Gitxsan announced they were launching a new lawsuit to prove aboriginal title ta traditional territories centred on the Hazeltons. The new court case — the successor to the earlier Delgamuukw trial over jur- isdiction to 57,000 square kilometres of northwestern B.C. — was this time to be called Yal, which is Gitx- san for “liar”, vince is hopeful they will be productive, “We strongly believe negotiations are the best way of resolving these issues,” he said. “We're pleased there is another opportunity to pursue ne- gotiations with the Gitxsan and Canada.” As with other groups, the Gitxsan will be able to borrow money for treaty talks through the B.C. Treaty Commission, which oversees the process, Gitxsan negotiator Eimer Derrick says he’s optimistic agreement may be reached with the pro- vince in a number of areas. But he says the Gitxsan still expect they will even- tually be back facing the justices of the Supreme Court of Canada. “We’re serious about having to go back to a retrial,” he said. “We still have to get ready for that.” Lyle Viereck But, he said, a resump- tion in trealy talks now will be useful even if they don't lead to a deal, be- cause thase discussions will help condense and frame the issues for the court. “At the end of negotia- tions where we exhaust every avenue I! believe we'll have a better focus on what the courts have to address.” Derrick said six separ- ate sub-tables are being set up to negotiate povern- ance, economic opportuni- ties, sustainable develop- ment, health and human services, fiscal relations and community infrastruc- ture. ite Gitxsan treaty talks may get started without a permanent chief negotia- tor. That's because Lyle Viereck, the province's main treaty negotiator in talks with the Tsimshian, Gitanyow, Haislan and now the Gitxsan, is taking a leave of absence. Provincial spokesman Peter Smith said a new chief negotiator would be appointed soon for the northwest region. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 11, 2001 - All it’s BBQ Time At TERRACE MOHAWK | SAVE *3.00! | oN YouR NEXT:20LB FILL] Save 15¢€ a pound on partial fills min. chg $5.00 EXPIRES APRIL 20/2001. 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We have the gifts for the Horse Lovers... €& JEWELRY 25% OFF €&GIFTSHOP 15% OFF *Localy Serviced *Locally Installed Chubb Security Systems 4443 Keith Avenue, Terrace Tel: (250/638-8321 “At the end of negotiations situ, 4628 Greig Avenue, Terrace where we exhaust Seg Ph 698-1252 + Ko: 638-7253 Fox: (250}638-1338 | every avenue I be- = Pollen Bat loam to 6 pm Your c cost $00" Heve we'll have a 4 RET httpwwwhiwayl6com/aty Sale Ends April 14th Regular P Price $699 YIAC1D. + VLLZEV - SALNIM. better focus on what the courts have to address.” WRANGLER *. AUSTRALIAN OQUTBAC Serving Northern B.C. The move to shelve the case and resume talks fol- lows a pattern of the bat- tlefield alternating for the Gitxsan between the court Toom and the negotiating table. _ After the’ original Del- gamuukw court case was rejected by lower courts :in B.C., the Gitxsan negotia- ted with the province: up until 1996. That’s when they broke off talks and launched an appeal of the court case to the Supreme Court: of Ca- nada. The high court issued its landmark ruling in De- The Salvation Army 2 TERRACE ALLIANCE CHURCH GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE Moundy Thursday, April 12 - ?: 306. JM. 4907 Lazelle Ave., cember 1997 in a judg- 20:30 a.m. Cafe of Hg Leite Chur Terrace, B.C. EASTER ment widely’ seen to Joint Service with Terrace Evangelical Free Church rst Mottews Anglia achuich Ph. 635-6014. (at Terrace Alliance Church) SUNDAY strengthen the legal case Easter Vigil, April 14 - 9:00 p.m. for aboriginal title. Easter Sunday Celebration Service at St, Matthews Angie Church Maundy However, it ruled that 4 10:30 a.m. Easter Celebration, Ae 15-10 0.m. Thursday OUTDOOR the Delgamuukw case fi 4923 Agar Ave., Terrace 635-7727 OF SL. Matthews Anglican Church Ant t2 7:30 pam. SERVICE would have to be retried Good Friday *CORNER OF CRESCENT because the trial judge April 13 — 11 aim. ST. & OLD LAKELSE RD. Joint Service at St. Matthew's Church 4514 Lakelse Ave. Easter Sunday April 15 — 10:30 a.m. Knox United Church Rev. Michael Hare 7:00 A.M. TERRACE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 3602 SPARKS ST., TERRACE 635-7278 GOOD FRIDAY 10:30 A.M. EASTER SUNDAY 10:30 A.M. & 5:00 P.M. didn’t put sufficient weight on oral evidence given by Gitxsan elders. The justices at that time said the best solution would be a negotiated one. The province and the Gitxsan in 1998 sipned a reconcilliation agreement that was hoped would lead to a new working relation- ship and further talks, if not a trealy. Those discussions haw- ever didn’t produce the Roman Cathoiic SACRED HEART PARISH, 4830 Straume Ave. 635-2313 {Holy Thursday............- jeeeee 8/00 P.M. }GOOd Friday....csccssesseneneeesd:00 P.M. \Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil).@:30 p.m. Easter Sunday......9:00 & 11:00 am FOR MORE INFO TERRACE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH Thornhill Community Church Easter Sunday Musical Celebration 11:00 a.m. CHURCH | OF CHRIST |. errace Git hief wanted, and they. procee- at the Thornhill Community Church pees ee 4640 PARK AVENUE Pentecostal ! ded to fle for ee et V1 3681 Krumm Ave. 635-5058 | | sent Assembly Smith said he didn’t ; sunday service GOOD FRIDAY . know how soon talks will A ime of worship & devotion, ALL ARE WEICOME Bible Study 10:30 AM 3511 Eby St. (at Scot) 635-2434 eT ee | ora ee |_| en muine ouree GOOD FRIDAY 11 A.M, The People of Worship Ser vice {at Terrace Alitance Church) itam - 129m Hunting "King ot love” ZION BAPTIST CHURCH >| minister John Haltey EASTER season set Sparks and Kelth (Hwy 16) Pen SUNDAY : 1 HR - Everyone is welcome THE Ministry of Environ- BAPTISM CELEBRATION | ment has announced the proposed opening dates of bull moose hunting season SInvtte You Te m Good Friday 11 AM EASTER SUNDAY for the Skeena region. , 10:30 A.M. ing j Annual Regional Baptist nus . ” units 6-0 and 6-11 ii set Commemoratory Gathering King of Life and Joy to open Oct. 20, said the - § pm Potfuck Dinner i 6:30 P.M. ministry of environment. rd pm Remembrance Service . é "The Disciple’s View” Those areas stretch ap- ‘The Day He Wore My Crown” 3 Pastor Jim Barber preaching proximately from the Kiti- . +. ; Jim Barber - Senior Pastor ther vig of Hwy3), tt ox: Easter Sunday Lowell Halnquist - Youth Pastor tends down the Douglas “10 am Worship Service Rennie Dueck - intern Pastor Channel and includes most of the islands off of Kiti- mat. The areas also include Princess Royal Island and stretches upward. towards Kitlope Park and Prince Rupert. “There’s nothing ‘usual’ about the Resurrection” REFRESHMENTS & SOCIAL TO FOLLOW Come & Celebrate the Risen lordl Everyone Welcome Anytime