Volume 76 Issue No.32 Saanich Indians: New political scene promising Native Indians on the Saanich Peninsula are entering anew era because of recent national and provincial attention to the plight of their brothers across Canada. What began in Oka is being felt right across this great land of ours. The four chiefs of the Saanich bands on the Peninsula — the Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum and Pauquachin — are faced with tough decisions, but also a real Opportunity to achieve great things for their people. It was no surprise to some local band members that a slight political confrontation was the result of statements made by South Island Tribal Council chairman Tom Sampson last week. There’s been animosity toward the people at South Island by some Saanich people for a long time. Many natives were insulted when Sampson said natives could shut down the highway, affecting commuter traffic to Victoria and Victoria traffic to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and the Victoria Airport. No one from South Island asked if the majority of native people on the Peninsula support road blockades or other demonstrations. Rather, most natives believe that blockades are ineffectual. They also believe that the majority of British Columbians Support the aboriginal people’s move toward self goyem- ment. But recent statements have left local bands wondering who speaks for them. Some say the Saanich bands shouldn’t be a part of the South Island Tribal Council, which is affiliated with the national Assembly of First Nations. The Saanich Tribal Council is a body some natives want to use as a voice for local issues — like the development of Mt. Newton, the Tsartlip claim to land earmarked for construc- tion of a new Saanich School District middle school, and the recent protest against the development of Saanichton Bay. Land issues, economic development and social issues all have to be addressed — on both a local, regional and national level. We believe the Saanich people need both tribal councils to represent their needs to all levels of goverment. Sampson and the people from South Island have worked long and hard to help all South Island bands. But better communication is needed to achieve solidarity. Since the premier of our province is thinking about a looming election, a victory with native land claims and other native issues could be the boost he’s looking for. With native solidarity we can all be winners from an election plum for a change. What helps the native people of our community helps the entire community. Letters to the editor must be signed and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. Letters should not exceed 500 words in length and may be edit- ed for clarity, legality or taste. TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9781 2nd Street Sidney, B.C. V8L 4P8 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER. 5 VERIFIED SCIRCULATION CONTROLLED Forget NIMBY, find a solution Editor: Monday, July 23, I attended the North Saanich municipal council meeting and heard some strong arguments against the proposed composting-recycling facility at Wilson and Mills Roads. Alright. For one moment let us just forget about aesthetics and the ‘Not-In-My-Back Yard’ syndrome. Some valid points were raised. In fact many sound arguments were heard opposing this cement- crushing: beast. It became apparent that this was not a room full of uneducated or uninformed residents; this was a room full of knowledge, awareness and technical expertise. It was also a room full of vehement passion to protect our water supply, our air, our food chain and our quality of life in North Saanich for our’s and future generations. If all this energy, expertise and concem could be brought together to shoot down a poor choice of a location, then why not bring that same energy together again to solve the real problem? What do we do with our reusable ‘garbage’ and how can we do it properly? Unless we find ways to deal with it now, it won’t be just the resi- dents of Mills and Wilson roads that will suffer from a contamin- ated-environment. It will be all of us. Wendy Wall Sidney ‘No flushing’ signs needed Editor: I note with interest your enthusi- asm on how fast things are hap- pening at the Port of Sidney (Sans- cha Hall: Time to start planning, The Review, August 1). It appears however that our pre- sent Mayor and Councillors are not in a hurry to erect “NO FLUSHING IN THE BAY” signs as reported in the daily newspaper July 11. Instead I received a letter from the Town of Sidney. Although they indicate they are concerned, it appears that they are in no hurry to erect the “NO FLUSHING” signs. Together with policing same, I am sure that with the number of boats in the harbor, flushing is taking place. How about it Madame Mayor and Councillors, when are the signs going up and when are you going to take action and impose penalties to prevent flushing? John Salvador Sidney Thanks for keys Editor: : I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the person who found my keys and thoughtfully left them at the RCMP office, LK. Laing Sidney Wages steamroll Editor: Many of us in North Saanich appreciated the sentiments expre- ssed recently by Cy Relph on behalf of the Sidney Ratepayers regarding the inflationary salary boost recently provided to Sid- ney’s growing municipal manage- ment staff (Up the scale helter skelter, July 25). Uncontrolled growth in salaries, in residential and business devel- opment and in virtually everything else that costs the taxpayers money and amenities appears to have been a’ priority of recent Sidney municipal governments. The resulting effects have been evident not only in tax assess- ments but, as well, in the quality of the beaches and waters on the eastern side of the Peninsula and in the steady replacement of open space and views by condominium blocks. Sidney’s “progress” has fueled similar growths in staff and sala- ries in North and Central Saanich and has frustrated attempts to bring rational, equitable financing to the jointly run (Sidney & North Saanich) Panorama Leisure Centre. It is to be hoped that the anger and frustration so evident in Mr. Relph’s letter will be sufficient to encourage co-operative efforts by the ratepayers groups in all three municipalities leading to efficient, cost effective municipal govern- ments which truly look after the interests of all Peninsula residents. John Marko President, North Saanich Property Owners Association Stand in defence of circus animal? Editor: With regard to This Week’s article, Life in the Circus July 25) I'd like to share this excerpt frous® booklet The Circus is No Place For Animals issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Circuses which include animal acts are relics of a bygone age, an age which permitted bear-baiting and cock-fighting, when compas- sion towards any animal would have been regarded with suspicion. Not only do they inflict an unnatu- tal way of life on animals, they degrade and humiliate them. “Circuses are a complete ana- chronism at a time when the need has never been greater to protect and conserve the world’s wild creatures. How can we possibly recognize this need and still per- Mit circuses to subject animals to close confinement, constant travel and a totally alien way of life in the name of ‘entertainment’? “Man’s attitude to nature begins to evolve in childhood, so in this case, society has a choice to make for future generations. Are we to look upon animals as freaks for our amusement, or are we to accept that wildlife is part of intricate network of which we are also a part? Circuses cannot teach this, indeed they are the antithesis of this concept.” Pat Bastone Sidney Full-flavored tomatoes rare Editor: It is a great city. The B.c hothouse tomatoes are picked green and then dumped on the ~ produce shelves in the food stores to ripen. As a consequence they do® not have the full/sun-ripened fla- Continued on Page Ala §