Chamber backs treaty passage CHAMBER of Commerce president Leona Klein says Terrace’s business community has some concems about the Nisga’a treaty, but overall is looking forward to it passing. Klein was responding to previous comments made by Nisga'a Tribal Council Joe Gosnell that - local businesses should stap sitting on the fence over the treaty and make a decision. “The chamber is in support of the treaty and also holds a few concerns as well,’? Klein said. ‘I think in essence they want to see the treaty ratified.”’ The main concern, she added, is whether the treaty will achieve the goal of making the Nisga’a truly self- sustainable. If it didn’t, she said, it would raise questions of whether the government would continue to provide as- sistance and whether taxpayers would have to pay more, While a few business owners might have preferred a treaty that gave individual cash payouts that might be spent at local businesses, Klein said most chamber meinbers support the idea of the $190 million settle- ment being controlled by Nisga’a government, with the overriding goal of creating jobs. “At the end of the day I think creating employment and making them self-sustaining would be more impor- tant if that can actually happen,’’ she said. She noted the treaty will be an economic boost to the region. “TE that money is coming into our region Terrace is going to be the main benefactor of those dollars,” she “| said. Libs put under pressure THE NISGA’A are lobby- ing MLAs who will vote on ‘their treaty this month, and they're paying particular at- tention to Liberal MLAs. “There are Liberals that we think might come on _ board,” tribal council exec- utive chairman Nelson Leeson said. Debate on the treaty began in the legislature this week and expectations are that the free vote on it could take place before Christmas. Nisga’a leaders know there’s a narrow majority of NDP MLAs who have vir- tually all indicated support of the ireaty. So they're keen ta woo any Liberals who might be tempted to break with leader Gordon Campbell and vote for the treaty. Leeson said Campbell’s opposition to the treaty was a strategic mistake because the Liberal leader too close- ly followed the advice of political adviser Martyn Brown, who previously worked for B.C, Reform and the Citizens’ Voice on Na- tive Claims. “Martyn Brown hijacked the Liberal agenda. He couldn’t complete his agenda with the Citizens’ Voice (on Native Claims),”” said tribal council secretary treasurer Ed: Wright. ‘'I hope people are starting to see that.” The Nisga’a leaders say they understand Campbell's decision was political, and say there’s still time for him to change course. “All Campbell has to do is admit he made a crucial mistake and move on,’’ Leeson said. ‘“You’ve pot people who are long-term Liberals in this town sup- porting the treaty, I think he should just swallow his pride.’” Those who view the anti- treaty stance as a tactical er- ror will be watching closely to see if Campbeil’s Liber- als subject the treaty to in- tense line-by-line scrutiny or let-it pass with relatively little debate. Although the special ses- sion of the legislature’s sole purpose is to debate the Nisga’a treaty, the Liberals have already sent signals that they want to put as much focus as possible on the economy — the NDP govermment’s weak spot. Tribal council advisers sce The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 2, 1998 - AY Nelson Leeson that as another indication Campbell may be backing off and attempting to avoid a split in his own party, “T think Gordon Camp- bell’s ship is leaking. The crew is worried. And they’re probably going to have to get a new captain,” Leeson said. ‘‘There’s a mutiny that’s going to hap- pen.”’ Campbell’s —_ predecessor — Gordon Wilson of the Progressive Democratic Al- liance — says there are several Liberal MLAs who agreed with him during the Charlottetown Accord con- stitutional debate that native self-government wouldn't change the constitution, That goes against Camp- bell’s lawsuit aimed at forc- . » CARLTON CARDS » COLES BOOKS » CREATIVE ZONE CRAFTS + CREATNE ZONE HOBBIES DELANI'S + ERWINJEWELLERS » SAN FRANCISCO GIFTS » WEDGES PIZZA # CARTER'S JEWELERS ee § 0m RTHERN cee OPTICAL® OVERWAITEA « PIACON + PERSONAL YOURS © PETWORID » RETMANSe RICKI'S © RUBY RED + TIMHORTON’'S » A&W BATA/ATHIETE’S WORLD + BUCK OR TWO «SHEFIEDD & SONS <= To Skeena Mall - December 5 at 10:00 a.m. By helicopter, courtesy of White River Helicopters. Bring your kids down to the Zellers parking lot to see Santa arrive and then - get their picture taken at Santa’s house. - Skeena Mall — PIONS HANORAG 6 weshee ‘ NS STYLE SHOES/KIDS CORNER * JEANS NORTH # MANTIQUE « * MARES & NNSTERS HUTUAL lie MANTLE © STIGVIDITIOD S.ANNOS *GNNOS 2 IHOIS » IWHONVHS © 3SNOHAVId GWSYSUIONIO © TIVMLID SWWWA9 © 3NDLLNOG HIVa P Gad S.WWW39 © N3HDU SWWWG9 « alaW> V1V SYaMOls uo TWSUaAINN ing a referendum if the trealy is found to amend the constitution, Wilson said there are at least five Liberal MLAs who he’s convinced aren’t comfortable with Camp- bell’s stand. “I'm challenging tbe Lib- eral MLAs to break ranks with Campbell and to stand. up in support of the agree- menl,’’ Wilson said last week, He said the Liberals have found themselves - trapped over the treaty. “How can he win in this situation? If he wins his case he plunges the province into absolute chaos, If. he loses he looks like the south end of a northbound house. He's trapped,”’ He predicted the Liberals will talk as much as possible about the economy but will say little or nothing about the Nisga’a treaty. “They're going (o look foolish if they do so,” he added. ‘They took such a strong, hard stand in oppasi- tion to this agreement and now it’s time to defend their position, and I don’t think their position is defensible.’ “¥. Was your campfira ny campletely out? a Report wildfiras 1-600-663-5555 - Hem. — MinityotFomsa =D THANK YOU! The Terrace Community Readers and Writers Program acknowledges the following for their contribution to literacy. Karen Graham Erika Nicholson Zsu Zsa Gador Sarah Glen Colleen Craig Susan Jepsen Michele Patterson Brian Gregg Alice Moszczynskt Linda Scarlett-Hauck Adam Brown Kerry Stuart Kezia Sinkewicz Rana Nelson Prab Bains Patsy Organ Eberle Balfour The Terrace Branch of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society wishes to onnounce the winners of the October 24, 1998, raffle draw. The draw occurred during the BCSS Norther Conference on Breaking the Cycle: Mental Illness/Youth/ Addiction. First Prize of a Joanne Thompson Watercolour of Irises {the BCSS symbol of hope) was won by Julie Paterson. Second prize of a Lynne Christiansen designed and painted Iris pot was won by Judy Chrysler, Third prize of an Iris bag designed by Joanne Thompson and sewn by the members of the Terrace branch of BCSS was won by Karen Reid. Photo of the Iris painting fanked by Eileen Callanen (left), President of the Terrace Branch of BCSS and Julia Paterson (right) winner of the BCSS draw on October 24, 1998. sae Deere The Falls Gallery Zeneca Pharma Inc. Alcan Smelters & Chemicals Lid. Services Society Health Services Society — ‘TIRE. "The Terrace Branch of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society wishes fo thank the nae for their donations to ensure the success of the Second Annual BCSS Northern held on October 23 and 24, 1998 in Terrace. Marshall Graham Memorial Fund ‘CANADIAN TIRE Or Emall us at www.cantire.terrace@osg.net ro ae hae Joanne Thompson Eli Lily Canada Inc. Fabricland SpeeDee Printers ICBC Mental Health Rehab Services, Terrace & District Community Consumer & Family Initiatives Fund, Northwest Community Pravincial Employees Community Services Fund Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce Mambers of the Terrace Branch of BCSS The Members of the Steering Committee The Terrace Art Association and Karen McAthy who organized the concurrent Art Show called Excursions for the Mind SAFEWAY www.safeway.com TERRACE TERRACE PAT CHRYSLER | ee] TOvOTA| www.terraceautomall.com TERRAG es ee] TOYOTA! STANDARD " terrace automall@osg.net The Terrace Standard standard@kermoda.not terracebuilders@os ganet Your website/email address. could be here! Contact us at 638-7283