A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 9, 1994 Treaty commission host to regional claims meets NORTHWEST NATIVE groups got their first taste here last week of what it’s going to be like to ne- gotiate land claims settlements. Under the umbrella of the newly-formed B.C, Treaty Com- mission, the groups met with ne- goliators from the federal and provincial. governments. These were preliminary ses- sions to give all three parties an idea of whal’s expected, said treaty commission member Carole Corcoran who hosted the meetings She noted that the commission won't negotiate or decide upon final treaties. “We're simply here to help the with the start up and to make sure the parties are ready,’* said Cor- coran, ‘'We can assist with a dis- pute resolution process if needed,” Those native groups meeting with the federal and provincial negotiators included the Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en, the Gitanyow, the Tsimshian, the Haisla and the Haida, Not present were the Nisga’a From front | because they are already negatiat- ing under a separate agreement signed threc years ago. These first mectings are to be followed by discussions on agree- ments of how the talks will take place. _ Part of this involves public _feporis by the commission, at least once a year, on the progress of the negotiations, said Cor- coran. The commission won't get in- volved in what might be regarded as the political end of land claims negotiations, she added. “*That’s a political question. I'm process oriented,’’ Corcoran said when asked of the possibility of the Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en dropping their land claims court case in favour of negotialions. Gitksan speaker Don Ryan, however, said he wasn’t im- pressed by the parade federal and provincial negotiators and hand- lers. “T’m really skeptical and cyni- cal about this process,’ he said. “This is all just window dress- ing.” . . ; Carole Corcoran The treaty commission hasn’t been proclaimed into law by any government, he said. Ryan said he doesn’t think the Gitksan — who are trying to take their land claim case to the Supreme Court of Canada — will . get fair treatment under the com- mission. Claims talks worry mayors Burton believes the province can appoint a Stewart representa- tive to the provincial negotiating team without changing the frame- work agreement. They just don't want to. ““They’ve got a nice, cosy little situation. Everybody gets their per diem and their expense ac- counts and J don’t really know what happens beyond that,’” Terrace mayor Jack Talstra said the municipalities are free to ask questions, but the province doesn’t seem to be as free to pro- vide answers. “We have deep suspicions about what’s going on,” Talsira Kuntz loses again FORMER NORTHWEST orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Kumiz has been ordered to pay $214,300 in the latest malpratice award against him. Edward Archibald, 58, had beea injured in an accident in a gold mine near Stewart. ‘Kuniz performed plastic disk replacement surgery.on Archibald in 1983. x: MRR AEA Suptbale;, Court § Justicé:. John Hall said’ the ‘‘experimental surgery’? relieved the pain for a short period. But a spacer became unstable, moved forward, and impinged on his esophagus. That created chronic back pain and a problem with swallowing, Archibald claimed. “T have no doubt that the use of these spacers between the verte- brae was a quite unacceptable procedure that fell below the proper standard of care and skill to be expected of an orthopedic surgeon praclising in B.C,”’ Hall ruled last week, Kuntz says he was unaware of the court case. He declared bankruptcy in 1990 and at that time signed an un- deriaking authorizing the Cana- dian Medical Protective Associa- tion — a malpractice insurance agency for doctors — to defend him in all outstanding malpractice Suits, =*°" In cases since then, Kuntz says, lawyers paid by the CMPA have suppressed evidence that he says shows the plastic disk replace- ment surgery Has been used suc- cessfully elsewhere and is not **experimental.’’ His efforts to fire the CMPA- NEED To KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT | YOUR NEW cay COMMUNITY? ~Vatone Wig Phone Elaine 635-3018 Phone Diana 638-8576 Phone Gillan 635-3044 Our hostess will bring gifts and greetings, along with helpful community information, hired lawyers have failed. Kuntz complained to the law sociely about David Roberts, the latest lawyer assigned to represent him. “Even though I’m trying to get him arrested, he continues to represent me against my will,”’ Kuntz said. The College of Physicians and ze Surgeons: 100k “away, Kuniz’--: « “Ieence in 1987, © Last year Kitimat resident John Stephen Harris was awarded $850,000 in damages for negligent spinal surgery Kuntz performed in 1985. said, ‘*We don’t get information on specific points, but ina gener- al way.” Talstra also criticized the lack of regional representation on the B.C. Treaty Commission, noting none of the five commissioners are from northwestern B.C, Police need- money no injuries, and complaints of loud patlics. ‘“We have to very carefully go ’ through the types of calls we at- tend and look at maybe no longer doing some of those things,’’ Yeske said, He stresses the constraints on resources haven't yet posed a safety risk to the public. Most of the overtime billed by RCMP officers in court are hours in which they didn’t actually give evidence. Yeske says he wishes greater justice system ‘efficiency could reduce the overtime spent by of- ficers waiting at the courthouse. But he’s not holding his breath. Any time a judge delays a trial — because the accused or a wit- ness didn’t show up or for some other reason — the witnesses, in- cluding police officers, are sont home without testifying. Rather than enter a guilty plea Tight away, some defence lawyers have their clients plead not guilty and sce whether the prosecution witnesses show up. When they sec the police of- ficers wailing in the courtroom to testify, they plead guilty and of- ficers again bill court overtime without testifying. **T don’t like it, but it seems to be the nature of the system,” Yeske said. SPORT WERLD Terrace 635-9555 Complete Downhill or X-C Rental Package *8.00 all your automotive needs! McEwan McEwan GM is pleased to announce the addition of Ritchie Mallett to their sales staff. Ritchie has lived in the Terrace area since 1976 and has six years of automotive sales experience! 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