Ree we eee ee ee ee ee eee ee ee a ae poral ee Pee ee pie eae del ae el a ee ee CHRISTIANA WIENS Nisga’a treaty good for fish ince hunting and fishing are central to the culture of the First Nations peoples it is not surprising that P §6politically-minded hunters and fishers have been keenly interested in the issue of aboriginal tille. Long before flaky right-wing politicians began mining the issue of aboriginal rights for profit, groups like the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Steelhead Society were at- templing to envision changes to the world of blaod sports in a post treaty world. Sportsmen could easily envision an acquiescent federal goverament ceding total control over fish and game within land claim areas to retain contro] over forestry and mining resources. The Gitxsan fueled that fear when, over a decade ago, they petitioned fisheries minister Romeo LeBlanc for fisheries bylaws in what appeared to be a prelude to negotiations over land claims in general. Similarly, when the Nisga’a talks began in earnest the fisheries component was front and centre, I can’t recall whether Jim Culp was Sportfishing Ombudsman for the north coast at that time or not, but it was be, in one capacity or another, who, a decade ago, convened a mecling in the Chinook Room of the Terrace Hote] between Fred Wachli and representatives from the sportfishing sector, including guides, conservation organiza- tions and a few keenly interested, unaffiliated fishermen. Wachli was heading the Nisga’a negotiations on behalf of the federal government at that time. He was an avuncular gentleman I guessed to be‘in his early sixties. As we sat rapt, steeled for the worst, Wachli summarized negotiations to that point. It - quickly became clear that we had more in com- mon with the Nisga’a than the federal team sitting across the table from them, ostensibly represent- ing our interests. While the government side, rely- ing on the information provided them by their DFO advisers, tabled proposals for large scale en- hancement via hatcheries —- a biologically questionable proposal that would exacerbate the mixed stock fishery problem at the mouth of the Nass — the Nisga’a wanted to go slow. lit was the Nisga’a who were championing con- servation and enumeration and habitat restoration, a stance that undoubtedly convinced them to hire biological consultants who ultiniately provided them with more information on some aspects of the Nass fisheries than the Department of Fisheries had. So, here we are on the eve of finalizing this his- loric treaty, What new rights will the Nisga’a ac- quire in regard to the Nass Fishery? [ wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that the Nisga’a would have first right of harvest or, at least, some kind of managerial control over who harvests when and how much shall be harvested. They don’t. Under the agreement the Nisga’a have a specific entitlement ta Nass River salmon that represents less than one per cent of the landed value of the coast wide salmon fishery. Conservation will have priority over Nisga’a fishing rights. The Nisga’a have long participated in the commercial fishing industry, but if the government orders the Nass River fishery closed for reasons of conservation or management it will be closed to all. The Nisga’a have a separate agreement outside of the trealy granting them nine per cent of the Nass sockeye and pink stocks, but even this has no constitutional protection and is, therefore sub- ject to change by future governments, The treaty promises the Nisga’a 17 per cent of Canadian Nass River salmon which includes the fish re- quired for food and ceremonial purposes. If there is a surplus of salmon in the Nass the Nisga’a will be allowed to harvest them pending permission by the minister of fisheries. In fact, under the treaty there is not much change in the way things are conducted in the Nass fishery now. The Nisga’a have the right to food fish, and the right harvest ceremonial fish, The question of selling fish was gray. What the treaty does is pro- vide a clear allocation to the Nisga’a and defines their role in the fishery while giving all of this conslitutional protection, Sportfishers have always worried about the sale of steelhead, a practice that goes on uncontrolled in other paris of the northwest, In the case of the Nisga’a the worry will cease, The Nisga’a have agreed to take steelhead for domestic purposes only. As with salmon, any harvest is subject to conservation requirements, In fisheries management, the Nisga'‘a will have an advisory role. When it comes to access — a big worry for sportsmen and sportswomen —- the right to hunt and fish on Nisga’a public lands will only be regulated for public safety, habitat pro- tection and the preservation of cultural sites. Sports fishers, hunters, and devotees of outdoor recreation can only hope that the wildlife sections of future treaties are resolved as satisfactorily as those in the Nisga’a Treaty. TERRACE STANDARD. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 9, 1998 - 87 ‘ ~ SPORTS | Terrace Selects promise RCMP All Stars a tough ride RCMP OFFICERS are more often associated with roadblocks than hockey games, but this Saturday the RCMP All Stars plan to change that, The RCMP All Stars, made of 15 officers from Vancouver Island to Prince George will play the Terrace Selects Saturday night at the Arena. ‘Tt’ll be and close, competitive, and energetic hockey,”’ said Tim Humberstone of the RCMP in Prince Rupert of the full-contact hockey paies. “There’s a lot of talent on both teams.”’ Roger Harris, manager of the Terrace Selects, is willing to go a lot further saying, the RCMP All Stars are about to meet the strongest of the contact teams in the northwest. “This is hockey at an intense and high level,” he said, ‘‘It will be physical, action-packed and high scoring.’? Harris said the Terrace team played Kitimat and Prince Rupert two weekends ago and won both matches 5-3, 6-5 playing four men short because of injuries to key players. By Saturday, he expects the team to be back at full strength and ready to play against some of Humber- stone’s college-ranked players. “This is hockey at an intense and high level,”? Harris said. “Tt will be physical, action-packed and high scor- ing.” The RCMP roster includes Paul Marleau, who played in college hockey in Maine and Bob Vermette who skated with the East Coast Hock- ey League in Virginia. The team also boasts for- ward Jason Smart who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins and has International and American Hockey League experience, 638-7283 Still, Harris is confident the Selects will give the RCMP competition. ‘‘We're not here to let them win,’’ he said. : The series, made of a Friday game against Kitimat, Saturday’s game here and a Sunday matchup in Prince Rupert will act as a practice session for the March, 1999 World Police and Fire Games in Stockholm, Sweden which are held every other year. The games unite athletes from police stations and fire departments around the world in events that include every- (hing from hockey to dog handling. Humberstone played at the 1997 games in Calgary and placed third but hopes to win gold - in Stockholm. 50 while Saturday’s matchup may be compe- titive, Humberstone says it’s meant to show kids that RCMP officers are a part of the com- " munity. ‘The money will go toward player transporta- * tion, Terrace Minor Hockey and the Terrace Transition House. g Jujitsu champs GOTCHA: Martial arts competitors Pahlicky and Gabriel Varga practice their Shauna moves at E.T. Kenney Elementary School in Ter- race while parents watched. About 40 children and teenagers took part in the two-day lourna- Jujitsu patition with top marks. ment on Dec. 4 and 5 organized by Shane Pahlicky. Both Gabriel and Shauna were graded . on their moves by three separate judges. Early Saturday morning Shauna Pahlicky ted the com- Barton named to B.C. team TERRACE Blueback swimmer Jenine Barton will represent B.C, at the Westen Canada In- digenous games. She made the team after competing in the Prince Rupert’s qualifying meet last weekend. At 13, Barton will swim as a Bantam Girl and would have competed in Fargo, North Dakota had the games not been can celed. ue ne - Where” -arid - when ‘the Western Canadian Games ° that unite First Naticns athletes will be held was. expected to be announced Monday. Barton can expect to meet tough competitors said Team B.C, organizer Larry King. em Score Board Terrace Minor Hockey Novice division games to Nov. 29 Sunday, Nov. 29 Long's Logging 6 Ikon 4 R-40 Construction 12 Terrace Elks 3 Saturday, Nov, 28 Long's Logging 5 R-40 Construction 9 al Recreational hockey Tuesday, Dec. 1 Chapter One 7. All Seasons § Back Eddy 2 Precision Builders 5 Thursday, Noy. 29 White Spot . MEN'S SOCCER BM sweeps Internationals t NORTHERN KNIGHT 1 — WESTERN PACIFIC 4 Northern Knight took an early 1-0 lead, but saw the game tied up on a penalty shot after a Knight player handled the SUPER BM tumed into a scoring soccer machine a Clarence Michiel Elementary Sunday, Nov, 29. The league-leading team blasted their way past the Inter- nationals 11-1 — a win some fans credit to missing key players on the internationals team. Super BM then dueled it oul with Western Pacific in a 2-2 defensive game. Other matches of the evening follow. FORESTRY FC 6 — CANADIAN TIRE 4 Ina tough match, Canadian Tire took an carly 3-11 the first half. Then Forestry FC shifted the game’s momentum the second half withoul recognition as Canadian Tire =. + Western Pacific 31 22 scored their fourth goal of the game, The goal spear- headed quick offence and Forestry pushed hard to score five unanswered goals to win the game 6-4, ball in the goal crease. eadin = Team GF GA GP WL Super BM 52.17 earlyin Forestry FC 30 23 Internationals . 38 35 Northern Knight 26 - 67 Canadian Tire 240 (37 wom mo ~~) Oo ay ase 2 UA Rhee Despite the efforts of Northern Knight's keeper, Colin Davies, Western Pacific was able to take the lead into the first half, Western then scored another goal to keep North- em Knight off the scoreboard in the second half. LEAGUE STANDINGS TO NOV, 29, 1998 Wp All Seasons Wednesday, Nov. 28 Skeena Cable Chapter One Nw Monday, Nov, 26 Chapter One Je Precision Builders 3 Oldtimer's hockey Sunday, Nov. 29 Northern Okies Subway on tn Saturday, Nov. 28 Northern Okies 5° SRD Blues 1 Pts Wednesday, Nov. 25 15 >. | Subway SRD Blues 4 oo" | Northern Okles 23°... | ‘Timbermen Ao wy “NRENON aj = vg