iitanyow assured deal not yet legal Court option still advancing to solve overlap THE GITANYOW have been assured that the publishing and even initialling of the just-completed Nisga’a treaty will not give it any legal force. That assurance was given by provincial and federal officials before B.C. Supreme Court Justice Williamson in a court hearing last week, The Gitanyow — whose traditional terri- tory north of Kitwanga overlaps with the. Nisga’a —— are warried the province is about to sign away to the Nisga’a land and resources that they’re also secking in treaty talks. The court refused to block the planned Aug. 4 initialling of the Nisga’a treaty to protect Gitanyow rights, but agreed to hear the court challenge quickly, said Gitanyow lawyer Peter Grant. Grant said the Gitanyow are still worried the provincial and federal governments could claim it’s too late to change the Nisga'a treaty, but added they’re comforted by the courtroom assurance that it has no legal effect. “They're going to be hard pressed tater to argue later that it’s too late,’’ Grant said. ‘Nobody is entitled to mislead the court,” he added. ‘“When the Crown as- sures the court that the initialling of the treaty has no legal force and effect, they are giving assurance to a court of Jaw not to worry.” ‘Whatever is stated (about the Nisga’a treaty), it is subject to the Gitanyow pro- ceedings.”’ The Gitanyow filed revised pleadings in the case on Friday and the Nisga’s, provin- clat and federal governments have until this Friday to file revised statements of defence. A remaining option oulside of court is mediation, “So far we’ve got Canada on side,’’ chief negotiator Glen Williams said. ‘'The pro- vince says they’re inlerested in coming and observing. And so far we've heard com- plete silence from our neighbours, the Nisga’a.”’ Premier Glen Clark, here last Wednesday for the initialling ceremony, said the over- lap could not be allowed to hold up the Nisga’a treaty. “Ifswe were to sit back and not negotiate unti] all overlapping claims were solved then it would paralyze the process,’’ Clark said. ° “While I recognize the Gitanyow’s legit claims and concerns we would be delighted fo negotiate with them a similar claim to the Nisga’a,”’ Clark said the overlap between the two groups is small and shouldn’t be an issue at all once a final land settlement is reached with the Gitanyow. “The Nisga’a people have compromised on ijand questions dramatically in order to achieve gains in other areas and the Gitanyow and other First Nations we would ask to do the same,” Clark said. “E don’t accept the small area of overlap would jeopardize any future claims.’ Emotions ride high as negotiations end electronically, We welcome letters, .. news tips, sports and community « - “if you've got EMAIL, you can reach us . f -Contiuons, and feedback of all wypes, -standard@kermode, net yo Y ». JINZ NS oKEENA VALLEY FaKmMehs MARKET Injuries Stop Here. Adjust Your q Head Rest and Buckle Up. : Road NISGA’A people reacted to Wednesday’s completion of a final treaty with a mix- ture of jubilation, apprehen- sion and hope. Some elders wiped tears from their eyes and ex- pressed disbelief that after two decades at the negotiat- ing table they had actually lived long enough to see a final treaty. To many it means a new page on their history and in particular a chance to emerge from ~ the federal © control of the Indian Act and take charge of their own affairs. But for most it holds out the prospect of jobs for them or their children. ‘We want something left for us where we're not just going to log pulp,’’ said un- employed Nisga’a logger Keith Clayton. "It's going to be good,” added Clifford Azak, a for- mer logging contractor now working for the Gitwinksihlkw — Develop- ment Corporation. ‘‘There’s a lot of outside money ready for investment.” Others worry too many sacrifices have been made by Nisga’a leaders. The 2,000 square kilo- metres of land sepresents just eight per cent of the tra- ditional territory the Nisga’a originally claimed. That means many families’ traditional terri- tories will be outside of the core lands held by Nisga’a government, and un- protected. ‘They puta cap on,’’ said Herb Morven of Gitlak- damix (Aiyansh). ‘“You get more land, you get less money. You get more moncy, you get less land. Once they agreed to that it was pointless.’? Other Nisga’a from the westernmost village of Kin- colith are particularly angry about hereditary fands cut out of the treaty. A court action initiated by Frank Barton will be heard in B,C, Supreme Court in Kamloops next week, The case challenges the authority of Nisga’a leaders to negotiate the treaty. . Every 1 ire specially: Irresistible to the last bite Shampoo Or Conditioner Rusk Back To Basics Paul Mitchell American Crew 1 Litre Plus More! Park Report Marie-Josee Banville Lakelse Lake Provincial Park was established to preserve a forest ecosystem, This forest that we have the opportunity to visit avaryday is an Qld Growth Coastal Rainforest. BC's old growth coastal rainforests are believed to have started growing after the Ice Age ended about 12 000 years ago. Twelve thousand yars Is plenty of time to develop a complex habitat. Many of the trees In this provinclal park are aver 200 years old. What do we mean by an old growth forest? As young forests grow into older ones, they pass through a series of development stagas. Old growth is the final stage of forest development. There are many factors hat must be met for a young forest to become an old forest. They include long periods of tima between stand- dastroying disturbances; thalr ability to grow large treas; and slow decompositoin ratas, Often, half of (he total mass in tehse forests is In the form of dead trees. The great abundance of dead, woody materlal has led to the development of complex communities of organisms that depend on decomposing material in various forms for habitat and survival, What do we mean by a coastal rainforest? Coastal raintorasts ara distinguished from cther forests by its climate. One key factor is the influence of the Pacific Ocean on the local climate. In ganeral, winters ara significantly warmer, summers are significantly cooler and it is watter year round when compared with areas farher inland. The coastal rainforest structure is complex because of the many canopy layers, a wide range of tree sizas and ages within a patch of forest, a dense, shrubby understory, and a dominance by conifers, 4:00 pm 472.1D KEITH AVE. HAIR GALLERY 635-3729 LAKELSE LAKE PROVINCIAL (aces Parks PARK VISITORS PROGRAMS THURSDAY JULY 23 High in the Sky Learn about wind and make a kite. Children's craft. Nisga'a Lava Park This is one of the newest parks in the Terrace area. Slides and presentation. 7:00 pm FRIDAY JULY 24 Wild Water World Learn about the mysterious world of fish and make your own fish puppet, Children's cratt. Maat me In the Park Discover why Parks and Protected Areas are special 4:00 pm 7:00 pm SATURDAY JULY 25 Twin Spruce Trail Explore the ancient, diverse and complex habitat of tha old growth forest. Mest at the Information sign near the A.V. dump station. Jerry’a Ranger “Tree Friends” See the forest without your eyes. Natura Nut. 4:00 pm 7:00 pm SUNDAY JULY 26 Jerry's Ranger “Camouflage” Life is offen ani, amazing display of how to stay alive, Dogged.,.. . Detective. 4:00 pm 7:00 pm live. Find out mare about whet makes preelpitation. MONDAY JULY 20 Nature Garden Discover what grows in the forest and make you own nature garden, Children’s craft. All ara Welcome! All Programs are FREE! All programs will be held In the Amphitheatre unless otherwise posted. 7:00 pm The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 22, 1998 - A? 1998 Mazda Protege SE with convenience package 1998 Mazda B2500 SX 4x2 Truck with convenience package 1998 Mazda 6261X 1998 Mazda MPY 4x2 All Sport oppesrance package THE MAKE &2 YOR MOVE - CLEARANCE EVENT Geti in. 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