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VICTORIANEWS
Friday, July 13, 2012 - VICTORIA
EDITORIAL
NEWS
Penny Sakamoto Group Publisher Kevin Laird Editorial Director Don Descoteau Editor Oliver Sommer Advertising Director
The Victoria News is published by Black Press Ltd. | 818 Broughton St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E4 | Phone: 250-381-3484 • Fax: 250-386-2624 • Web: www.vicnews.com
OUR VIEW
Treaties should have day in court Songhees Nation’s elected leader Chief Robert Sam passed away earlier this week as a man who fought tirelessly for his community in Victoria and for aboriginal people across the province. Sam worked hard to give aboriginal youth the opportunity for a good education and good jobs, understanding both are necessary to break the systemic cycle of poverty with First Nations people. As forward thinking as Sam was, he still was fighting injustices of the long past. In tandem with Esquimalt First Nation, Sam played a crucial role in establishing a $31 million settlement in 2006 from the provincial and federal governments, for land taken away 160 years ago, where the Legislature building now sits. The settlement, while giving the bands much needed capital, it did little to answer the nagging question of the validity, scope and meaning of the Douglas treaties. In 1850, Fort Victoria colonial governor James Douglas made a series of land purchases from a number of tribes, for a pittance, giving the Crown ownership of almost all land in Victoria and Saanich, except aboriginal “village sites and enclosed fields for our own use ... and those who follow after us,” according to treaty text. Aboriginal people also had the right to continue to fish and hunt on unoccupied land. First Nations people in Victoria, and probably more than a few historians as well, argue the colonial administration broke the terms of these Douglas treaties fairly quickly – aboriginal village surveys weren’t done and land that was supposed to be set aside was absorbed by the colony. Next May, the Songhees and Esquimalt bands are set to refight this question in court, regarding a village site in Cadboro Bay. Despite an era of reconciliation and new relationships with aboriginal people, the senior governments haven’t pulled their punches in response. The federal government questions if the Songhees are the rightful descendants of the Chekonein people who lived in Cadboro Bay (the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations admits they are on its website). Both governments assert there is a statute of limitations on the agreements and that “village sites” really only meant a village site – the Songhees Indian Reserve. Fighting a 160-year-old grievance in court may seem absurd and may come down to duelling experts interpreting an imperfect historical record. At the same time, it would be better if this case isn’t settled out of court. The validity of the Douglas treaties should have a full public airing. What do you think? Give us your comments by e-mail: editor@vicnews.com or fax 250-386-2624. All letters must have a name and a telephone number for verification. The Victoria News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
2009 WINNER
Summer movie season sizzles Well everyone, I know we’ve the Alien series, marked a long all been waiting for it and now overdue return to sci-fi by director summertime is finally here. Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner). The sun is out, the Prometheus is a mess of beaches are tempting and a beautiful movie, with the world is aglow with staggeringly beautiful laughter and light beer. 3D effects and some Which means it’s time highfalutin concepts to to sit in a dark room with chew on. It’s by no means a bunch of strangers and perfect, but one of the stare at a screen, am I most interesting and right? beautiful films of the year While a dip in your local so far. lake can be a refreshing There’s a lot of hate summer ritual, it’s also out there for the recently Kyle Wells the most wonderful time released The Amazing CineFile of the year for Hollywood Spider-Man, but if you blockbuster fans. We’re forget the fact Sam talking superheroes, explosions, Raimi made a trilogy (one great, raunchy comedies, unnecessary 3D one terrible and one just OK) of and lowered expectations. movies about the Marvel superhero Just like every summer, this year seemingly yesterday, the latest film we have the usual slate of reboots, is actually a hell of a good summer remakes, sequels, prequels and popcorn movie. And in IMAX 3D adaptations of board games. But, it’s breathtaking. Plus it’s directed somewhat surprisingly, there have by a guy named Marc Webb. Webb. been some real gems so far this Spider-Man. Get it? That’s gold. summer, with a few more potential And things are just heating up highlights on the way. (yes, that’s a summer joke). The Avengers broke box-office Matt Damon may have set the records for opening weekend standard for the Bourne movies, but takes and shockingly lived up to with The Bourne Legacy opening expectations generated by (or Aug. 10, Jeremy Renner (The Hurt forced on us, depending on your Locker, Avengers) gets his first point of view) four years of related top billing in a big movie. It looks movies, including the incredibly pretty standard (European locales, popular/good Iron Man. Director vehicular chases, backstabbing) but Joss Whedon provided the perfect the Bourne series has consistently geek touch to make The Avengers a been the best at what it does. heck of a lot of fun. If you’re a summer comedy fan, Prometheus, a loose prequel to the big release – aside from Ted
(which was definitively mediocre) – is The Campaign, staring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, out Aug. 10. Ferrell looks funny, Galifianakis looks his usual awkward, effeminate character that we’re supposed to laugh at, which makes me uncomfortable. But it still looks like some light summer laughs. Plus Ferrell punches a baby. Can’t go wrong. The Avengers may be the big money winner so far this year, but if anything can take it down it will be Christopher Nolan’s wrap up of his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, opening July 20. This movie is an event and as much as I’d like to sound cool and pretend I don’t care about it, I’m flipping excited. The Dark Knight blew everyone away and made gobs of money, so (despite the unimpressive title) The Dark Knight Rises will likely follow suit. Love it or hate it, the summer movie season is what keeps Hollywood chugging along and, despite the duds (Dark Shadows), this year has been above average so far. So seriously, when you need to beat the heat, dive into your local theatre for some pure escapism. It can be very refreshing. For movie reviews check out my CineFile blog at blogs.bclocalnews. com/cinefile and find me on Twitter and Facebook as CineFileBlog. Kyle Wells is a reporter with the Goldstream News Gazette. kwells@goldstreamgazette.com
‘Love it or hate it, summer movie season keeps Hollywood chugging along.’