A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 7, 1996 A CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Land can’t be lost Dear Sir: T am a Nisga’a and would like to express my views on the application of ‘‘justice’’, ‘‘integrity’’, and honesty’ to the on-going land question negotiations in British Columbia. There seems to be a great fear that we may not be so dependent on those who have assumed the authority of our lives, our lands, and our cultural spirit. Some members of the Legislative Assembly for the province of British Columbia and members of Parlia- ment for Canada refuse to acknowledge the responsi- bility for all the abuse inflicted on our lives as First Na- tions peoples on this great land we have inhabited since long before memory. When the provincial government of British Columbia indicated sincerity to being a ful participant in the Nisga’a land negotiations, they immediately deleted the Atlin riding. The Atlin riding was 80-90 per cent aboriginal and one where an aboriginal person could be elected to the BC Legislative Assembly as an equal ta share in the responsibility of prospecting, enhancing and governing life in British Columbia. To enhance the opportunities for and to quell the {cars of the third party interests the federal and provin- cial gavernments negotiated a cost sharing arrange- ment. This cost sharing arrangement effectively placed a cap on any land question resolution which may be reached, This was agreed to without input from the First Nations of British Columbia. The provincial government of British Columbia de- veloped and implemented a 5 per cent policy on land quantum based on the 5 per cent figure of First Nations population in British Columbia. The imposition of this policy does not express ‘‘honesty’’. Today between 90-95 per cent of the population on Nisga’a traditional lands are Nisga’a. Only 5 per cent of this traditional land will be maintained by Nisga’a. Price Waterhouse completed an indepth study of lost and future opportunities which bave been and can be realized from Nisga’a lands, The dollar figure is in the several billions, Today we read that only $100,000,000 and about & per cent of our lands will be maintained for our future. One hundred million dollars will not be cnough to heal the deep wounds our recent past inflicted through the relationship which was imposed on us by ovr an- cestots. Our title to our lands must be maintained by us. Our Tights to these lands are embedded in our title. We want to be an effective participant in enhancing and protecting. our collective future, Losing our title and rights to our lands through extinguishment will not bring honour to our collective future. Sim'oogit Keexkw, (Herbert Morven), New Aiyansh, B.C, In all fairness Dear Sir: 1 wish to respond to a couple of letters in The Terrace Standard’s Jan, 17 Mailbag. I am also part native and fairness is a big thing with me, too. In all fairncss to Mr. Allan Grier, I believe when he talks about Indians not paying taxes he means laking at least one-third of your paycheque for income tax, as is the case for white people. Indians don’t have to pay this heavy income tax, but of course they do pay a few cents or dollars on sales taxes, ec, In the case of Mr. Les Watmough, native people are aware of whites altempling to gain social or political status by going to bat for the natives while running down their own race. We actually have more respect for people like Mr. Grier who are willing to stand alone and fight for their rights even though we may not always agree with it. Ms. Rentmeir, Stewart, B.C. STOPPERS 639°TIPS Super school district [24% "iste © plan alive and kicking | THE PLAN to merge schoo! districts isn’t going to pa away, says Skeena MLA Helmut Giesbrecht, despite sumours to the contrary Not much further direction has come from the provincial government since it announced its intention to merge a number of school districts, Locally, the government pro- posed to merge the Terrace, Kitimat and Stikine school districts into one large one operated by a super-board. By doing this the govemment expects to save $1.4 million a year. The effects of those cuts likely mean an $800, 000 reduc- tion in money spent on programs and staff for special needs children in the three current districts. Cuts to admin- istration make up the bulk of the rest of the money. With apposition to the amalgamation coming from many sources, such as the Kitimat school board and other boards and parent associations around the province, some have wondered if the amalgamation plan might quietly dic. The education ministry already has a new deputy minis- ter and its minister, Art Charbonneau, has announced he won't rin in the next election, But Glesbrecht says the amalgamation plan will survive leadership changes. ‘The finance minister sees this as a way to cut costs without affecting classroom instruction,”’ he said. Even a change in political parties probably won’t make amalgamation go away, he predicted. ‘Reform is on record as favouring fewer school boards and (Liberal leader Gordon} Campbell is on record saying he wants to see the numbers reduced by a third,’’ said Giesbrecht. If the amalgamation plan isn’t going to quictly go away, that’s a message which isn’t getting through here. Ata Jan. 18 meeting the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour Council came down strongly against the amal- gamation. ‘We are totally against the amalgamation of the three districts,’’ said Norm Lavallee, president. The coun- cil represents Icarning assistants, inside workers at schools and college instructors, among others. The council objects to the size of the proposed new school district. ‘‘From a practical point of view, it’s ab- solutely ridiculous,’ said Lavallee. The council is also concerned about the impact the amal- gamation will have on special needs children. Giesbrecht agrees that merging the three districts would create a district of unmanageable size. ‘I’ve always argued that’s an awful size to deal with,’’ he said. '‘I’ve also heard that Stikine would prefer to be in- cluded with Fort Nelson.” The Terrace Parent Action Committee has not yet taken a stance on the issue. But John Parras, head of the PAC proup, says parents have said they won’t approve of a program which hurts students, Rezoning OK CITY COUNCIL approved a request lo rezone land at 4549 Park Ave. from multi- family residential (R5) to core commercial. The change is being made to allow the Terrace Women’s Resource Centre to run a one-slop access pro- gram in a house on that property, Council also granted rezonings of properties at 4310 and 4314 Thomas St. to allow construction of a house on the eastern border of the property by owners David and Frieda Dams. The easternmost 50 metres of the property is rezoned to Ri residential and the rest of the property changes from rural to RR rural residential. Similar changes to the Official Community Plan are also being made. to new opportunities. Anywhere. Anytime. ! oe HOURS: Men. - Thurs.....1] am - ET pm Fri, ~ Sate... secre Sunday cisecceees 1 oo Che. tho OO aS ane loos 638-1162 4664 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace LASAGNA DAYS - Monday & Tuesday ~ New Veggie Lasagna with Cheddar & Mozza $9.95 Delivered PIZZA, PIZZA - Wednestlay 2 large at medium price, max. 2 toppings Pick up and Save 10% Helmut Giesbrecht The PACES Day Care Society is looking for new members to take an active role in the operation of its Day Care. The Society provides day care for the children of teen parents to permit these young women to complete their education. The Society takes pride in the numbers of young women it has enabled to graduate from: Senior Secondary School. If you would like to take an active part in this worthwhile endeavor please phone the President of the Society, Mrs. Judy Scruton at 638-1963, after working hours. Annual General meeting Tuesday, February 27th 1996 at 7 p.m. PACES Daycare Society Come and join us at 3511 Eby Street, Terrace For more information call 635-0800. th the launch of Glentel’s MSAT™ mobile satellite service, North America has entered the age of universal wireless communication. Ils impact on your business will be equally impressive. Now you can make or receive crystal-clear calls from your car, truck, boat, home or base camp anywhere in Canada, the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean and even up to.four hundred kilometre eX affshere, 92> Improved produclivily, control, safety and instant acce The satellite age begins with Glentel. | lentel was selected as Canada’s first national full service provider of mobile satellite communications. So whatever you need — mobile phone, remote phone, dispatch radi, or data — we can provide it. PUBLIC INFORMATION a mae ON We've developed a world class system of customer support. 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