AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 24, 2002 Gitxsan chiefs must also accept the oral histories Dear Sir: We Gitxsan people, some of us chiefs and Gitxsan house members, have some grave concerns about inconsistencies in policies regarding chief names, territories and lands that belong to them. The hereditary chiefs we are concerned about are Chief Yak-Yakx (Adolphus Morgan) and Doxinsxw (Marla Wesley) who are from the Frog Clan. Up until now oral. his- tory and name transfers in feast halls have been en- ough to determine land and territory ownership. Once a Gitxsan member is given a chief name, he or CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag she acquires the land that comes with it. In.a recent meeting re- garding an important prop- erty where the Wilp si’satxw house of purifica- tion society now sits how- ever, we were told thal the oral history from a very prominent chief was called hearsay and was consid- ered unacceptable. There were many Gitx- san chiefs at this meeting. It is ironic that during the Delgamuukw vs B.C. court case Gitxsan nego- tiators fought hard to allow oral history to be acepted as part of their evidence. They cannot have it both ways. Oral history is either acceptable or not. The prominent chief mentioned is the late Sarah Benson who passed her name and properties to Marla Wesley (Soxinsxw) chief Edward Tait’s name and territories were passed on to Adolphus Morgan (Yak-Yakx). These two chiefs now own the land where the Starving schools is child An open letter to edu- cation minister Christy Clark: Dear Sir: Well here we are again. The school board blames your ministry for awarding a three-year contract and then only funding the first year and you blame the school board for its deci- sion to close five schools and lay off 130 teachers here. Christy Clark, would you work for an employer like that? One that says: “Here is your three-year contract but we’re only funding the first year. You'll have to come up with the money for the last two years yourself.” Come on. You must be smarter than that. Next year, September 2003, our district will have to find another $4 million. Are you getting the picture yet? You'say it's none of your responsibility. I con- sider your position the worst form of chiid neg- lect. You have the power ta step in and correct this un- acceptable situation. The teachers and stu- dents are in the middle once again in this district. No money for text books, general supplies, art sup- plies, science supplies, Surely you care if ] can’t teach your curricu- lum unless I buy the texts, science supplies etc. my- self. Or maybe you don’t, Is this your gover- ment’s twisted way to pri- vatize everything? Make them bleed so badly that they'll have to look for ways to raise their own money. The thinking tax payer must be asking themselves “What are you doing with my educational tax money?” Your excuse that there is no more money does not hold water for any educa- ted person. Seven years ago, the feds and the provincial Ministers agreed to cut ie rreicsat 4 3 Ee This year's colour I Youth M &L Available at BLUE RIDGE GRAPHICS, iocated transfer payments for five years for health and edu- cation to help pay off the national deficit. At the end of that time the funding was to be re- turned to its original le- vels. That was two years ago and the feds have not done this yet — they sit on a $50 billion surplus. Why isn't your govern- ment screaming at the feds to do what they promised. I'm furious, Why aren’t you? Instead your govern- ment goes on its merry way finding ways to cut social programs and de- stroy small communities Wilp si*satxw healing cen- ter is operating at this time, This is a healing center that was built with- out written or verbal au- thorization from Doxinsxw (Marla Wesley) and Yak- Yakx (Adolphus Morgan). Sarah Benson left audio and video messages sta- ting exactly what she wan- ted done with her name and property. Even though this was stated at this meeting it was still deemed unacceptable. Oral history cannot be selective. Either all oral history should be accepted or none. Alice Morgan and nine others Kitwanga, B.C. neglect then patting itself on the back for finding ways to save money — the money the feds are supposed to be giving you. Are you people com- plete idiots? Perhaps your plan is to use this low funding situation as an ex- cuse for your own agenda. I would consider that the worst form of deceit and dishonesty. Perhaps you think we're the idiots. Since I cannot get a re- sponse from any of the people who are supposed to be representing me as my government, what am ] supposed to think? David J. Pollard Terrace B.C. Riverboat Days / is around the corner... ' Get in the spirit... Get in your official Riverboat Days T-Shirt! unos Get yours today! | i Fereace BC »RIVERBOAT DAYS T-SHIRTS |. je reet conmes rts coniued Joe success! Discounts available for large business ordars & custom imprinting of your company jogo on sleeve of shirts also available, but order early! of shirt is Light Bfue. | Sizes Available are | Adult SM - XXL & ‘ce iat ' Plus applicable taxes TANDARD 3210 Clinton Street, Terrace, 8.0. V8G 5R2 Phone 638-7289 Fox 638-8432 NEW EMAIL ADDRESS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY newsroom @ ferracestandard.com Jeff Worth of Terrace. Jeff's name was drawn for our grand prize for The E Terrace Standard’s Place The Baby Face Contest. Pictured to the left is employee Tim Nordin of Electronic Futures - Microage present- ing Jeff with his 4 choice of a Telus Mobility - Pay and Talk Cell Phone including a $50 Phone Card. Karlene "KEN CHEMKO LEFAE “iF form ORAPHICS & PROMOTIONS #102 - 4910 GREIG AVENUE TERRACE, BC V8G 1N4 PH; (250) 635-7731 FAX: (250) 635-9200 on Greig Avenue, in between CLEAR CUT GLASS & JANITORS WAREHOUSE, behind TERRACE CHRYSLER. Fax your order to: 635-9200 Phone: 635-7731 Water fF system | failed us Dear Sir: The article on the con- tamination of the upper Thornhill water system in last Wednesday’s paper (“Water warning back in place”, The Terrace Stan- dard, Suly 17, 2002) added insult to injury, Woodland Utilities did not do an “extraordinarily good job”, No one received notices until several days after it was known that contami- nated water was being de- livered and some of us have never received a no- tice. Also contrary to what the article stated, many children have been sick and a high proportion of adults as well. Circum- stantial evidence is strong. For example, I was sick right away (the first time in well over a year despite being frequently exposed to people with the flu), then when I went to Van- couver, I got well. Within two hours of my return to Thornhill, [ was sick again. Others have si- milar stories, Boiling water for everything from wash- ing fruit to cleaning our teeth is a real nuisance, Please do not add insult to injury by making light of the situation, DOUG CLOSTER BOOTA UPAL INDY BAL Pat Carson Thornhill, B.C.