A8 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 8, 2000 Senate hearings Mayor wants voice on treaty implementation committee TERRACE wants a desig- nated seat on a committee that will oversee imple- mentation of the Nisga'a treaty, mayor Jack Talstra told a Senate hearing last Wednesday. Talstra, who was flown to Ottawa last week at . federal expense, said the City of Terrace concerns now centre on how the treaty will be implement- ed. Ottawa has the power to name people to the imple- mentation committee once the treaty takes effect, he said. “As a city, we respect- fully request the federal government to appoint one or more local qualified persons as their represen- tatives on this commit- tee,” Talstra said. “An implementation plan sensitive to the needs of all those living in the Senators SENATORS have been asking probing questions about the Nisga’a treaty, focussing in particular on how the rights of non-Nis- ga’a people in the Nass Valley will be protected. Ontario Senator Jerah- miel Grafstein directly asked Nisga’a leaders why they have not guaranteed non-native representation in their new government and agencies. He noted that non-na- tives number 200 or less in the valley compared to the Jack Talstra northwest is critical to the proper development of changes that may fellow in the years ahead,” he ad- ded. Talstra told the Sena- tors that allowing consid- erable local influence at the implementation stage would help make up for the lack of consultation during the years of treaty negotiation. He also urged the Sen- ate to approve the treaty as is. “We believe in the Nis- ga’a treaty,” he said. “Let us move forward with this new treaty.” “All of us living in the northwest want to be part of a better future,” he ad- ded. “We know that trea- ties are not a panacea, but neither are they a massive threat. They are one tool among many that allows all of us social and eco- nomic prosperity.” Tsimshian Tribal Coun- cil president Bob Hill told Senators the Tsimshian continue to support the Nisga’a treaty even though there are ongoing uncer- tainties and their own trea- ty negotiations have not advanced as quickly. “Many of our people are worried that they will lose commercial fishing access to the area sur- rounding the Nass River,” Hill said. “They are con- cerned that they will see their historic fishing sites locked up by the Nisga’a or that the Nisga’a wildlife Management system will restrict our people in dif- fering situations,” He said there’s also continuing internal debate about uncertainty over the boundary between Tsimshian and Nisga’a tra- ditional territory and what such boundaries mean when treaties are conclud- ed, The Tsimshian, whese claims include territory surrounding Terrace to support the neighbouring Kitsumkalum and Kitselas villages, expect to con- clude a treaty with in the next six years, Hill said. query Nisga’a on citizenship more than 5,000 Nisga’a there, “This is not a dangerous problem for the Nisga‘a because they haye an overwhelming majority,” Grafstein said. “They have control of the lands. There is no danger that they can be usurped in their prob- lems with respect to the minority. The minority cannot overrun the majori- ly. Why would you not have gone that last step?” Nisga’a Tribal Council president Joe Gosnell re- plied that stronger minority representation has been contemplated, but added that will be up to future Nisga’a governments. Also under scrutiny by Senators is the Nispa’a de- scription of themselves as “citizens” of the Nisga’a nation. Jim Aldridge, lawyer for the Nisga’a, told Senators the use of the word citizen doesn’t undermine their Canadian citizenship. “To the Nisga’a, to deny the use of the word ‘citizens’ to describe themselves is tantamount to a denial of their exist- ance as a nation, aS a na- tion within Canada,” Al- dridge said. He said the word simply describes a distinct abo- riginal group or political community. “There is nothing wrong with the word “members” but rotary clubs have members, law societies have members, Parliament has members. Nations have citizens,” Vandals smash windshields at car lot TERRACE RCMP are looking for the person or persons responsible for smashing 13 vehicle windows on the Thornhill Motors lot last week. The incident happened between 6 p.m. Feb. 29 and 8 a.m. March 1.. They also damaged the dash of another vehicle: when they ‘tried to~ steal a car stereo. $5,000. | Spring Delights We've recently returned from a gift show and have selected items that are beautiful & unique to our Check out our New and Beautiful Gift Items more e arriving daily! shop Hh AT balan Y i if fin | HAIR GALLERY 4711D Keith Ava 635-3729 as, if Cy an af th serie) (ae om fh cy a —., © Continuing to build a more innovative economy To find out how this budget will benefit you and your family, call 1 800 O-CANADA (1 800 622-6232) TTY: 1 800 465-7735 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or visit our Web site at. www.fin.gc.ca Canadi The total damage is estimated al RCMP Const. Tara Basisty said at least one other dealership suffered similar damage about two weeks ago but the damage usually does not happen to this sealeiersrecs. She does not believe the damage is related to an earlier robbery at the lot in mid-February. 8477: If you’ve seen anything suspicious at the Thornhill Motors late Feb. 29 or early March 1, call the RCMP at 638-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 638- : Se. cr | Ss) Play at your local bingo hall. p00 | Meeting Your Needs "e > More for health, education and children © Tax cuts. Until March 18 Dickies Drill Pants Red Strap Jeans 434% 99 Reg. 41.98 .rcssnen raiteeiecasoensns 30-44 Reg, 31.98 vecssssscne $95 28" Polar Paw Socks 46 - 50 Reg. 35.98 .rranennren . $1200 REE. 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