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http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=49161070-48fc-403c-9f7d-c141289c28aa&k=79570
Native leaders threaten to block ferries, roads over treaty disputes
Jeff Rud and Lindsay Kines, Times Colonist
Published: Monday, October 15, 2007
An angry group of B.C. native leaders threatened yesterday to disrupt ferries and blockade roads during the coming months and even target the 2010 Winter Olympics if provincial and federal governments aren't prepared to be more flexible in treaty negotiations.
The chiefs rallied a group of native protesters estimated at 300 outside the legislature while, inside the buildings, the B.C. government celebrated a near-completed treaty with a small Lower Mainland First Nation.
The protesters had various reasons for opposing the Tsawwassen treaty, including claims that it overlaps the traditional territories of several First Nations who are signatories to the Douglas Treaty of 1825.
First Nations protesters were at the legislature Monday as a new session began. They are unhappy with treaty talks.
John McKay, Times Colonist
But a key sticking point is the insistence of both Ottawa and the B.C. government that any treaties signed must include an extinguishment of native rights to remain untaxed as well as the transfer of any settlement land to provincial jurisdiction.
Robert Morales, a spokesman for the Unity Protocol Group which represents 50 disgruntled First Nations at 16 treaty tables across B.C., threatened repeats of a blockade this past May when the group delayed ferry traffic on a Queen of Chilliwack sailing from Nanaimo's Departure Bay for 40 minutes.
"We are prepared to do that again,'' said Morales, the chief negotiator for the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group.
"We are prepared to block the ferries. We are prepared to block the highways. We are prepared to go to the courts and do what is necessary in order to get justice, and in order to get our rights recognized."
Speakers also promised to "march on the Olympic city" in 2010 if Ottawa and the provincial government aren't prepared to move off their hard lines.
"We're here to stand together at a time of crisis,'' said Doug Kelly, chief responsible for intergovernmental relations with the Sto:lo Tribal Council. "The time for talk is long gone. The time is to act.
"We need to make sure that when the world comes to visit in 2010, that they hear the kinds of things that are taking place in our communities.''
Protesters yesterday carried signs with slogans such as "All is Not Well in B.C.," "No to Genocide" and "We Demand Fairness.'' Elder Tom Sampson of the Tsartlip First Nation, one of the Douglas Treaty group, said: "We've become slaves. Our children are still committing suicide.''
Various groups opposing the current treaty process - which has produced just one deal after 14 years and $1 billion- have banded together and are considering legal action to force governments to negotiate "in good faith.''
Morales said opponents object to government insistence that only five per cent of traiditonal territory is on the table, that First Nations would have to extinguish their rights on the rest of the territory, and that revenue-sharing, private property, and self-determination are not on the table.
"We are prepared to do what we can - to do all that we can - in order to change that," he said.
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs president Stewart Phillip said yesterday was just the start of what he promised will be an "intense campaign over the next couple of years.''
But Premier Gordon Campbell downplayed the threats of angry native leaders, even though they claim, in total, to represent more than 140 of B.C.'s 203 First Nations.
"I encourage people to come forward with positive recommendations about how we can improve the treaty process,'' Campbell said when asked if he was worried about militant First Nations action.
"I understand the frustration that First Nations leaders may have. I think we have to constantly try to find the way that we can improve on the lives of First Nations people and close those gaps. The way to do that, I think, is positively and constructively.''
Campbell said his government is making progress on closing gaps for First Nations in areas such as health, edcuation and economic development.
"I think it's important to recognize that Grand Chief Stewart Phillip doesn't agree with the treaty process. He didn't agree with it when it started and today he still doesn't agree with it,'' Campbell said. "I understand that, but there are some chiefs that are working very hard to create a treaty to provide the platform to move their communities forward . . . We encourage those who want to sign treaties. Those who don't we'll encourage them to find other ways to close the gaps - economic, social, health and educational.''
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=ec45a4b4-2d48-441e-9fd9-e93d554c73ba&k=58646
Tsawwasssen chief addresses legislature as first urban treaty introduced
By John Bermingham, The Province
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
VICTORIA - B.C.'s first urban native treaty was introduced to the legislature yesterday as the flag of the Tsawwassen First Nation flew over the house and a couple of hundred aboriginals protested outside.
"True reconciliation is the product of this treaty," Tsawwassen Chief Kim Baird told MLAs, who gave her two standing ovations after she became the first female aboriginal leader to address the legislature.
"It proves to the world that reasonable people can sit down and settle historical wrongs."
Baird said she knows some natives see the treaty as a source of fear.
"People are not sure what's behind the door. Our treaty is not something to fear, but something to embrace and benefit all."
The Tsawwassen treaty is worth $120 million to the band, and transfers to it 724 hectares, including 200 hectares from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Band members voted 70 per cent in favour of the treaty in July.
Local politicians and activists fear the ALR land will be turned into a container storage facility for nearby Deltaport.
And some natives oppose the treaty because of problems with the treaty process and overlapping claims.
"Today, from our point of view, is going to represent the beginning of the mobilization of our people in seeking a just settlement to the land question in B.C.," Chief Stewart Philip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said outside the legislature, surrounded by about 100 natives and supporters.
Philip called the treaty "a sleazy, back-door way" to port development.
But other Indian groups applauded the treaty, the first completed under the B.C. treaty process.
"Treaties are possible in B.C.," said Chief Judith Sayers of the First Nations Summit. "Today, we see it. Government to government to government. First Nations are finding their place in Canada."
Shawn Atleo, B.C. regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the treaty is "big stuff."
"There's something big going on," said Atleo, who referred to Premier Gordon Campbell as Chamatook, which means one who is able to bring harmony.
The B.C. government paid for about 100 Tsawwassen band members to travel to Victoria, and gave each of them a souvenir paddle.
At a gathering at the Royal B.C. Museum, Campbell presented Baird with a carved cedar door, displaying the band's symbol of a great blue heron.
"Today, we hope to open a new door for the Tsawwassen First Nation, a door to prosperity, a door to opportunity, a door for generations to walk through," he said.
Bertha Williams of the Tsawwassen band, who opposes the treaty, said: "My birthright is being stolen away by people who want the treaty. Now we have to pay land taxes on our own land."
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http://www.nafc-aboriginal.com/PDF/UN%20Declaration%20on%20the%20Rights
%20of%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20-%20September%2014%202007.pdf
National Association of Friendship Centres
275 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0L9
September 14, 2007
For Immediate Release
Press Release
Canada's failure to adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ?major defeat? for urban Aboriginal peoples, says the NAFC
(September 14, 2007) ? Ottawa, Ontario ? The NAFC is deeply disappointed that the Government of Canada (Canada) voted against Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It was unfortunate that Canada dismissed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as not being ?meaningful and effective?.
Canada?s action sends a provocative message to the international community that it does not support what has been described by the United Nations as a ?triumph for indigenous peoples around the world?.
Canada missed a historic opportunity to take a leadership role in its commitment to human rights, yet, has chosen to stand outside the circle of the international community as it celebrates a major victory in establishing international human rights standards for Aboriginal peoples.
The NAFC is disappointed that the reasons stated for voting against the Declaration were as ?clear as mud? as Canada described the some of the text of Declaration as overly broad, unclear and capable of a wide variety of interpretations, faulty, unduly restrictive. Canada even speculated that the Declaration as non-binding document may establish a complete veto power over legislative action.
The NAFC believes that Canada?s actions tarnishes its reputation in not standing with the international community as it works to set the minimum international standards for the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, existing and future laws, policies, and programs on urban Aboriginal peoples may not meet or be consistent with these minimal standards.
Canadians have stood proud as Canada has heeded the call from the United Nations and the international community to support those more unfortunate around the world, yet, the United Nations and the international community asked for our support and, in an unprecedented move, the Canada turned its back.
The National Association of Friendship Centres is a national Aboriginal organization providing programs and services to 116 Friendship Centres across the country.
Contact:
Peter Dinsdale
Executive Director
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Work (613) 563-4844 ext. 318
Cell (613) 327-5270
www.nafc.ca
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