Treaty addresses key factor of equality under the law

By GORDON WILSON ON BALANCE, I support the Nisga’a agreement, It provides an opportunity to resolve the outstanding is- sue of Nisga’a land owner- ship.

It defines, with certainty, Nisga’a rights under section 35..of the Canadian Con- _Stitution Act, ~. Does this’ agreement amend the Canadian Con- stitution?

No. The. agreement ex- pressly states that it does not, neither does it create any new rights for the Nisga’a people. It modifies and codifies rights already provided for in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act.

How will the Nisga’a self government work?

The Nisga’a will own their Jand fee simple, which means that the allodial title remains with the province. The best comparison for the Nisga’a self government

Gordon Wilson

model is to that of a strata corporation run by a strata councit, Owners can vote and min for strata council of- fice.

What about Nisga’a law? Will their Jaw apply to me?

Nisga’s law will only app- ly to Nisga’a people, as has been the case for hundreds

of years, What is different

from past practice is that*

The sooner we get treaties Signed, the sooner we will have the money for invest- ment in this province.

this treaty gives legal

_ legitimacy to their system of

governance and justice.

The Criminal Code of Canada applies, and so docs the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Both federal and provin- cial ‘laws of general applica- tion apply and, in most cases, prevail.

Does Nisga’a law at any time prevail over provincial or federal law?

The areas in which Nisga’a law will prevail re- late only to culture and customary law or the admin- istration of Nisga’a lands.

Should we be concemed this agreement will he a template for all future treaties?

No. Treaties are not meant to be one-size-fits-all docu-

ments. This treaty will only apply to the Nisga’a in the Nass Valley.

It is irresponsible to sug- gest that this agreement is a template for agreements in urban centres.

Why should the Nisga’a have a vote on this agree- ment and not me?

There is no legal basis for a referendum because the Canadian Constitution is not being amended. The Nisga’a are, for the first time, writ- ing down their constitution and codifying their aboriginal rights. That is why they must vote.

This agreement will not alter your rights in any way,

Can we afford this agrec- ment?

Yes, The Nisga’a deal will bring $480 million into Bril-

ish Columbia,

At the moment, British Columbia is recovering less than 13 cents of cach dollar .of the $9.4 billion spent on aboriginals in Canada by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs,

The rest supports a huge bureaucracy in Ottawa, The sooner we get

have the money for invest- ment in this province,

Signing this agreement will provide the long term economic certainty critical to the long term economic growth of our province,

British Columbians can demonstrate. that we can live together, equal under the law secure with the knowledge that to be equal does not mean we must all be the same.

Gordon Wilson is the leader of the Progressive Democratic Alliance and a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Victoria.

social ills won't be solved with land claims settlements

By BILL VANDER ZALM EVERYONE I[ know wants a treaty that is final and good for bath aboriginal and

non-aboriginal Canadians.

The NDP’s pro-Nisga’a propaganda campaign is seen by many to be a lie.

The Nisga’a treaty should not be measured by soft music, lovely scenery and heart triggering rhetoric.

It best be measured against similar treaties con- cluded in Alberta, In Al- berta, the result has been ab- ject poverty far worse than anything existing in British Columbia today.

A recent study of the Sam-

son Cree and other Alberta’

reserves by the Globe and Mail newspaper is shatter- ing.

The Samson Cree slill te- quire millions of taxpayer dollars to supplement. the millions from their oil and gas holdings. In 1996, their income was $97 million making Samson Cree one of the: richest bands in Canada.

Yet most of the members

Bill Vander Zalm

live in wretched poverty while their leaders jet to Geneva, London and Paris and hold all-expense paid meetings in Las Vegas.

Eighty per cent of the tribe of 5,100 are an welfare and 85 per cent are unemployed. The majorily live in shacks, many without windows or heating.

Recently a band member gave birnh to a baby girl on the roadside as she tried to

While we're being made to make amends -for the sins of our forefathers, our children and generations to come will be consigned to maintaining a failed

tribal lifestyle in a time-warp.

walk to the hospital because she had no car or telephone. The infant died!

B.C. Premier Glen Clark extols Nisga’as a template for all settlements to follow. The tragedy is that Nisga’a is cast from the same mould as Samson Cree,

The problem with the Al- berta and Nisga’a treaties is that they create bigger reser-

‘valions with bigger walls.

As with every communal (communistic) society it is destined to fail.

The NDP admits the Nisga’a will be a com- munistic society but see nothing wrong with that.

Constitutionally, the pro- vince of B.C. had no obliga- tion to spend scarce B.C. taxpayer dollars in settling with the aboriginal people

but are still recklessly intent on turning over millions of dollars and huge tracts of land and resources. —

The NDP plan is to divide’

‘the province inta 60 tribal homelands based on the Nisga’a template.

The natives, who comprise 3 per cent of B.C.'s popula- tion, will own more land

than that currently owned by

the other 97 per cent, thus

creating a different British '

Columbia, chopped up into different homelands (reser- vations) which would be isolated and divided by race and different laws.

Without knowing what the social and economic im- pacts are, we’re being asked to accept the Nisga’a treaty and 50 or 60 more like it.

While we're being made

to make amends for the sins of our forefathers, our chil- dren and generations lo come will be consigned to maintaining a failed tribal lifestyle in a time-warp.

Instead of this NDP im- position supported by the PDA, Reform B.C. has pro- posed The Universal Treaty Pian.

It sets free the aboriginal people to be like every other British Columbian. —

It provides for the existing, reservation to be divided up

equally between every na-' live man, woman or child so-

as to give them the pride of owning their first piece of land ever. von - Jt furtlier proposes, to give every +." native: $250,000.00 over 12-15 years to further provide for their needs during a period of adjustment

This is generous, final and less costly by far than the NDP-PDA approach,

Bill Vander Zalm is a for- mer premier of B.C. and is now the president of BC. Reform.

So, what would Jesus do?

By MARTIN BABR IN OUR Social Studies 9 class we study about many historical acts and figures that have intltenced today’s society.

We also take time cvery Friday to present and dis-

cuss stories that are impor- . ‘1, think = we

tant now and will be in the future.

Remembering that God is in the middle of it all is the key point we can never forget — God is there for us in whatever situation we face and He will help us when we ask Him.

Too often in my own life I try to figure things out by my own wisdom and I do not call on God unless J am at the end of my rope and

realize I do not know what

to do. I hope this sounds fa-. miliar and that I am not the *

only one to struggle with this.

Last week our class was treated to a presentation on facts about the present deal- ings with the Nisga’a treaty. were all astounded at the amount of money this is going to cost the taxpayer.

We = found __ ourselves focussing on all the things that were negative, and ig- noring or choosing not to

ste the good things about:

the treaty, such as the fact that the Nisge’a will also become taxpayers.

Many = solutions = were being offered rather than

Gov't vs. Black

THE B.C. Press Council will hear a provincial govern- ment complaint against newspaper owner David Black.

The complaint was filed after Biack announced in September that his newspapers would not write editorials in support of the treaty. News storics, opinion pieces or letters to the editor weren’t affected.

No date for a hearing has been set. The province and Black failed to resolve the complaint between them- selves. Both partics then asked for a hearing, said press council vice chair Audrey Moore.

In its complaint, the province has asked the press council to condemn Black’s directive and to ask him never to issue a similar one again.

In particular, the province says Black breached his

going ahead with the treaty. We were ready to do away

with the whole thing (if we.

had the power to do so) when an important question flashed from the overhead screen, ‘“What would be a Christian perspective on the issue?”’

We became a bit more quiet and were hesitant to say anything.

Some eycs rolled as stu- dents were again faced with the question, WWID (What Would Jesus Do)?

We never came up: with the answer in that class — time was running out, we wanted to go home, and we had run out of worthwhile things to suggest. Another

' presentation went on but we

were preoccupied = with questions from the one be- fore.

After the bell, all the stu- dents left except one. He told me, “‘I don’t agree with some of the things people were saying. Some of my friends are Nisga’a.”

I didn’t know how to ans- wer, but I was glad that at least one student (and hope- fully more) had thought about God’s perspective on this issue.

If more people throughout history had sought God for answers, and more people today would do the same, I am sure this world would be a better place.

Martin Bakr is a teacher at Centennial Christian

Martin Bahr School.

This submission first, appeared in the school’s weekly newsletter.

Treaty needs changes

Dear Sir:

Alter reading the latest propaganda from our B.C. government I have to voice my opinion. The Nisga’a treaty will not be good for any one with out some major

changes.

Will the Nisga’a people be able to own the land that they now have their home on

in the reserve?

Who will get the money that will be paid out? Will it Just go to the band office and let them dole it out to the individual or to who ever is in their best favour? Who will be accountable to the B.C. taxpayer?

your eyes.

I want to know just what the Nisga’a want. If they want to live like us in the 20th century with trucks, cars, RVs and homes in the cities, then let us get on wilh it,

Pay all natives a fair amount for past in- justice (make sure this is to the individual not the band) and turn all reserves into

municipalities. Then they can pay tax like

the rest of us as now they will own the property that their home sits on.

This in time will pay for the schools, hos- pitals and maintenance, etc, If they want more land the group as a whole can go out

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 2, 1998 - A5 ee |

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

treaties — signed, the sooner we will

' person 5}

The Mail Bag

Missing out Dear Sir;

T received my recreation winter guide published by the City of Terrace parks and recreation department to find, to my amazement, there was not one mention'of skiing (nordic or alpine) or snowboarding.

Mr. Steve Scott, parks and recreation superintendent, please note there are two organized, local areas for these popular winter recreation choices — Shames Mountain and the Onion Lake ski trails.

So when you get out of the sauna or finish your arts and crafts for ihe day, give me a call and [ will show you what you’re missing on the slopes.

Darryl Tucker, Shames Mountain

Check out Cuba

Dear Sir:

I wonder if members of the nurses’ union that are so concerned about being overworked and putting in too. much overtime, etc., would entertain this seemingly | novel idea, :

Canada has good relations with Cuba. That country is noted for exportation of its many excellently qualified © doctors, specialists and nursing personnel, It would be: interesting to learn how the nurses’ union would view - accepting these qualified workers. I’m sure they would” be grateful at the chance to work in Canada for much less cost.

Such a reasonable undertaking would not merely ease; the emburdened nurses, but could ease the colossal: medical budget. The move to this direction coyld only enhance the much touted quality care. *t

if the medical profession will not embrace such a fea- sible solution, then perhaps the public should be en- lightened by their reasoning.

Douglas L. Bulleid, Terrace, B.C.

Pleas not selfish

Dear Sir:

Tam an RN and work in the intensive care unit at Mills Memorial Hospital. The objective of the B.C. . Nurses’ Union at the bargaining table is to provide for adequate numbers of nurses to ensure quality and safe ° care for our patients.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of B.C, legislates that we must meet certain standards of care for our patients, and that our employer is responsible for ensur- ing we meet those standards by staffing adequately.

One-third of B.C. nurses have reported that they are unable to meet these standards and 87 per cent are overwhelmed by their workload. This tells you scome- thing about the nursing care we are able or not able to provide.

In Intensive Care at Mills we have been involved in a workload campaign to increase the number of full time nurses from 4.5 positions to 9 positions (an increase from 1 to 2 nurses per shift). We are frequently asked to work overtime, and because we know that one nurse cannot cope with the increased workload, we consent to work on our days off.

This overtime has taken its toll on the nurses and the budget, and can’t go on, Wouldn’t it be more feasible

to have funding for a second nurse, than to pay Over oh time to overworked nurses?

Ia ICU; as well as other areas of the hospital, we are” ’ barely able to meet the basic needs of our patients, and: -

have little or no time for things like teaching, or family needs, Sitting a few minutes with a dying patient, back- rubs, and TLC are becoming nonexistent as we struggle to meet essential needs.

We are a caring profession and we can’t stop caring. Our patients require quality care, that meets individual physical and psychological needs. The people of B.C. deserve the best care we can give.

We know when too much is too much, and we need the right to call in extra staff when necessary. We need ; permanent vacation relief and float pool positions to at- tract more nurses and decrease the overwork of casual and permanent staff.

We need to increase the number of nurses working in long term facilities, where now one nurse may have more than 200 patients to care for.

When on-call, we are now paid $1 per hour. We are asking for an increase to $5 per hour. Shift work is hard on everyone. We are asking for an increase in shift differential. Our employer is not addressing all of our workload and equality concerns that would enable us to provide quality patient care.

Our pleas are not selfish, but come from a selfless profession which cares about the people of B.C.

Barbara Beintema, Terrace, B.C.

Nurses not supported

- And open letter to: Premier Glen Clark Dear Sir;

I have been a public health nurse for almost 15 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and am working ona master’s degree in community health. ] am also a BC Nurses’ Union steward.

I feel very discouraged by what I heard you say about the current job action. You stated taxpayers should not be asked (o pay for the nurses’ monetary demands.

“ask you why nurses are being asked to take on the * burden of the health care system. Is it because we are predominantly women, in a caregiving role?

My co-workers and myself don’t have appropriate compensation for the use of personal vehicles. ] cannot do my job without a vehicle, Yes, I am paid 38 cents a kilometre, and yes, the employer pays my business in- surance, but this hardly covers the actual cost of run- ‘ning a Vehicle, or the wear and tear on it. Ifa prospec- tive community nurse does not own a car, or must buy a second vehicle in order to work, think of the cost.

We have some vehicles supplied for our. use, but the employer plans to stop supplying these. In northern areas, some nurses are required to drive long distances between communities, winter and summer, necessitat- ing 4-wheel drive vehicles to ensure their safety, I am sure you are aware of the cost of such vehicles,

Again, is it because we are a largely female profes- sion that our concerns are being dismissed as trivial and selfish?

lam disappointed and angry that the NDP govern-

duty to act in the public interest given that he owns so many tiewspapers. Black’s holdings in the northwest include The Terrace Standard, The Interior News in Smithers and The Northern Sentinel in Kitimat.

A similar complaint to that of the province was also made by Sidney resident Ted Hayes.

The B.C. Press Council is made up of approximately 125 weekly and daily newspapers in B,C. It acts as a lobby group on press issues and, hears. complaints filed against It by readers. * ,

and purchase it, or small parcels can also be included. But not the land now set out in the land claims.

Within three years do away with the Dept, of Indian Affairs. GST and PST and income tax naw become payable. |

Welcome to the 20th century. One government for all native and white. Only one land claim for all of B.C,.

Ernie Fisher, Terrace, B.C,

If the purpose of the Nisga’a agreement is so they can gover themselves why not turn all reserves into municipalities like any small town or cily, This way they can own the land that they live on as a large percent- age are tow living and working in the city now.

A large percentage of Nisga’a now own or are in the logging, trucking and construc: tion industry, All you have to do is open

ment, which J have long supported, is not supporting tiurses, yet appears to be more receptive to the demands of the (much more costly) medical profession.

Carol Harrison, BSN, RN, Terrace, B.C.

THE TERRACE Standard welcomes letters to the editor. Our deadline is noon Fridays. You can write us at 3210 Clinton St, Terrace, B.C. V8G SR2. Our fax number is 250-638-8432 or you can email us at standard@kerniode.net