DISPLAY OF culture, strength and pride marked appearance of ‘the Nisga’a Gitwinksihlkkw Four Crest Dancers fram the Nass Valley at this past August's Riverboat Days in Terrace. it proved a very effective way for the Nisga’a to get their message across. " Members of the audience joined the dancers during one seg- ment in Lower Little Park and money was collected to help fi- nance the dancers’ journey to the Commonwealth Games staged in Victoria in August. Nisga’a leaders playing hard ball in claims talks By JEFF NAGEL A LEAKED DOCUMENT paints a picture of Nisga’a Icaders as hard bargaincrs and cunning strategists. Ti tells how they put pressure on “the federal and provincial govern- ment negotiators during treaty talks. And it describes how they rally “community. support and persuade their young people to enter politics: It’s all contained in the minutes recorded at a First Nations Sum- . Mit meeting in May in Squamish, where Nisga’ a leaders gave other native groups a seminar on how to press their land claims. The. Summit is the official group representing natives in the - combined attempt with the ‘provincial and {federal govern- ments to settle land claims in Bc. ~~ It holds regular meetings at which opinions and information ate exchanged, ‘Change locations for negotia- tions,’’ the Nisga’a speakers told the conference. ‘‘Bring — the government negotiators back to your home. They are lost without their armies of support, and you sometimes gain tremendous ad- . vanitage,”” ‘"We use other tools to make them feel inadequate. Sometimes we just start talking in Sim’alyax, our own language, It really raises their eyebrows.” They told other groups to look at their cultural differences as -Strengths, not weakness. “Don’t forget the great ad- “vantage you have over the white Crucial battle tips CHAIRMAN MAO once said that a journcy of a thousand miles slarts with the first step. ~The Nisga'a have taken that first slep and much more in their journcy toward a settlement of their land claim. . “How they do it follows classic guidelines experienced by any- body whe negotiates labour con- » tracts, the price of a used good at a garage sale or the takeover of a large multi-national company. It’s only the scale that changes. American social activist and ‘community organizer Saul “Alinsky put forward twa groups =< the Haves and the Have Nots — in Rules for Radicals, a primer on how to get what you ‘Want. Haves try to keep whal they have and Have Nots try to take it away. - - The key to Alinksy’s rules is | that Have Not leaders must keep their opponents on edge and must have’ the support of their fol- ~ lowers. ~ Here are a few of Alinksy’s tac- tics as taken from his book. If the _ Nisga’a’ haven’t tead Alinksy’s book, the provincial and federal governments had better: 3. 1, Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks people — they only live one lifetime. Your Chief's name and your House group lives forever, and you have the unlimited knowledge of having lived a thousand lifetimes.” Nisga’a negotiators told the conference they sometimes “revert to theatrics’? to score points with the other govern- ments. ‘We make a big fuss about some non-essential issue, throw tantrums and rant and rave, but back down and eventually let avoid traps. “Political discipline is ab- solutely necessary,” they said. ‘You might lose months of work just because of one rash state- ment. We must never forget that we are answerable to the General Assembly, and the assembly has no mercy. If we mess up, we pay for it.”” That, they told the seminar, is the key difference between them and the federal and provincial ne- gotiators. “Don't forget the great advantage you have over the white people — they only live one lifetime. Your Chief’s name and your House group lives forever, and you have the unlimited knowledge of having Lived a thousand lifetimes.”? them have it. Then, on the issues that are most important, we per- severe,” “Our negotiators use whatever tools they can get their hands on.” The Nisga’a told other native negotiators they must always hold their ground — no matter what the pressure is — when they make public statements, ‘Never show weakness — al- ways show a united front, a chain of peaple who always stand to- gether,’ they said. ‘Your strength lics in what others think you can do, not in what you think you can do, Numbers imply strength.’? The Nisga’a also warned that carc must always be taken to "We are answerable directly to . our people, and they are not,” the Nisga’a speakers said. ‘‘It’s just a job to them. The worst that can happen to them if they screw up is to get fired. We would have to live with our mistake for the rest of our lives.” Don’t ever fargive insults, they said, *Use these issues to the hilt in your negotiations, add them to your arsenal of informalion. Past wrongs are debts that must be paid.” The Nisga’a told the conference they have spent more than $4 mil- lion on their negotiations to date, and expect the total bill to top $20 million, In the early stages, they said, most of the money, was raised through community donations, fundraisers and the feast system. Government loans, corporate contributions and church dona- tions now bankroll most of the Nisga’a negotiation effort. *‘Always be aware of how you spend your moncy, budget wise- ly,” they said. ‘“Whenever the government stalls or wastes time, calculate your loss and bill them immediately. The document also gives readers a candid look at the depth of commitment of the Nisga’a. “Train your children to become negotiators and politicians by tell- | ing them everything, right from the cradle,” it says. “Explain what we want, why we want it and cxplain what’s happening when you see someone you know on the news.’’ ‘'Formalize this process by en- couraging them to get involved in commillees, societies, the . band council and so on.”’ Sports organizations are often a stepping stone towards tribal politics, the Nisga’a speakers said, “We all love sports and want to influence the goals of the sport, so we become involved in the ex- ecutive,” “'Then the next step is to enter band politics. Then from here to the Tribal Council, and who knows where that will lead,’’ the speakers said. One Nisga’a negotiator, Harry Nyce, was asked in the spring to run for the position of Grand Chief of the Assembly of. First Nations. (He declined.) BUSINESS SIDE of the Nisga’a land claims ne ment is represented by Nisga’a Tribal Counall provincial negotiator Jack Ebbels, pearances. gotiations with the federal and provincial govern- president Joe Gosnell, far. right. With him are chief left, and chief federal negotiator David Osborn, middie. Gosnell speaks for the Nisga’a Tribal Council at press briefing sessions and during various public ap- you have, 2. Never go outside the experi- ence of your people, When an ac- tion or tactic is outside the experi- cice of the people, the result is confusion, fear and retreat. 3. Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the encmy. 4, Make the enemy live up to their own book of iules. “You can kill them with this, for they can to more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to. Christianity,’ — notes Alinsky, 5. Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. “‘Tt is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it in- furiates the opposition, who then react to your advantage,’’ says Alinsky, 6. A good tactic is one that your . people enjoy. If your people are not having a bail doing it, there is something wrong with the tactic, 7. A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. ‘‘Man can _ sustain militant interest in any is- sue for only a limited time, after -which ‘it becomes a’ titualistic. : commitment, like going to church on Sunday momings.”’ 8. Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for. your use, 9. The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing Itself. 10. The major premise for tac- tles is the development of opera- tions that will malntain a constant pressure upon the opposition. 12, Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it, 13, If you push a negative hard cnough and decp enough ‘it will break : through: into ‘its counter- side. bot Bay The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 9, 1994 - AS CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD : Dear Sir: “ Pm writing abou the article “Not the first, not the last, (Nov. 2), The Mail Bag send that message now An open letter to: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir: Federal finance minister Paul Martin's recent musings about pos- sibly levying some new ‘tax against RRSPs and pension plans blew a fuse within me and-[ felt that time has come to ‘stand up and say enough is enough, ~~ If this new lax is to become reality, and there i is not much doubt in my mind that it will unless the people of Canada send Mr. Martin a strong enough message, it will penalize those who have during their working years made financial preparations and perhaps Sactificcs so they will not be a burden to government in their old age. I like-to think of Mr. Martin as a well educated and intelligent man. When it comes to his vocabulary regarding deficil reduction, however, he seems to have only one ward: Taxes and more taxes, There is not a word about the richest, most generous and in my opinion, obscene pension plan in the land — the one for our politicians and bureaucrats, which is an insult for every Canadian. There is not a word about reducing our bloated government There is nota word about selling off crown corporations, History has proven again and again that governments are the worst business managers. Not a word about cutting off all subsidics, special grants and the many other rewards for special friends. Not a word about the endless commissions, hearings and inquiries which cost millions of dollars, but show hardly any results, Not a word about abolishing the provincial liculenant governors who serve very little purpose in view of the fact that we have a Governor General of Canada. Billions of dollars could be saved if we could have a government with some political will for a change. Tam an immigrant to this country. When we came here in 1954, politicians logether with some other members of the community ‘were highly respected persons. They were trusted, and they seemed - to realize that they are actually the constituents’ employees and not the other way around, as it scems to be the case today. They realized that they were the trustees for the tax revenues pro- vided by their constituents, and they must under no circumstances be squandered away, The couniry was in good shape in every Tespect. True leaders make decisions, sometimes difficult and con- troversial ones. Ralph Klein of Alberta is a leader who has made very difficult and painful decisions, but I am sure Albertans will one day thank him for his leadership in difficult times. Our ‘‘leaders’”’ submit discussion papers, appoint commissions, arrange for hearings, referendums, town-hall mectings and anything else to avoid a decision. I am no expert or $500 an hour consultant, but I have cnough common sense to be able to tell our “‘Ieaders’’ that our system will financially collapse within the next four years. It would appear to me that the members of our governments, Pres- ent and past, have a very narrow range of priorities: an * What is in it for me? ane * Ts it goad for the party? * will it assure my re-election? * Is it politically correct? : My question is: Have. you ladies and gentlemen ever: heard of. Canada?? Why is that politiciatis have produced: the most despised and hated people ia the couniry during ihe past (cn years or so? ' Perhaps because every. finance minister during that period of. time has told us at the begianing of his/her budget specch the following: “It is my and my government's sincerest desire and commitment to- reduce the deficit.’ (Do thitse words ring a bell?) ‘ Traise the question of how people like Mr. Martin and his various. predecessors can look their children and grandchildren in the eyes without being decply ashamed. How can they face any Canadian whom they have degraded to pawns in their (olally irresponsible ‘games? . I suggest it is time to send our government a message much stronger than ever before, Enough is enough. Show us your willing- ness lo make , personal sacrifices: and. d meaningful decisions. Willy Schneider. Terrace, B.C, Not appreciated I don't agree of putting a picture of Sandy Alexander Spencer i in the newspaper, especially when family members and friends are trying to get over Sandy’s death. Putting an article of what he did that night in the newspaper is not right, nobody needs to know and I'm sure friends and family don’t want lo read about it and see picturcs. It’s just going to cause sad and unhappy emotions to the fantily. Sure, this article may be tying to tell young teenagers what al- - coho} can do to you, but did you ever stop to thin what kind of fecl- ings go through the heads of family and friends when they read about an incident that happened three months ago? Put yourself in Sandy’s family’s position. How would you feel if you were just getting over the death of your relative that died of alcohol poisoning. You’re just getting over the death, or you’re not feeling as bad and not thinking of it, when: “Bang”? there’s a picture of your rela- tive inthe newspaper:lying dead, with a five column. story telling what he drank, what he did; and where he did it, ‘Ws just not fair. - Marie Creed, Terrace, B.C. THE START IS FOR PEOPLE LEARNING TO READ Time to remember | _ FRIDAY IS Remembrance Day. Every year. November - 11 is set aside to remember those who died in-our coun- -try’s wars. They died to protect Canada and other coun- tries. Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion is planning a lot of activities on Remembrance Day. ° = _ Veterans and others will gather in the Safeway parking lot just before 10:30 a.m. From there they will march to . the Tillicum Theatre for a service. : After that. service, the parade. will: ‘march to the : cenotaph (SEN-O-TAFF) at’ city..hall. ‘The’ -cenotaph - honours people’ from Terrace who died: in the wars, : People and groups will lay wreaths a at tthe cehotaph.. ”