A4
JULY 2013
EDUCATION: John Bowman bids adieu to the College of New Caledonia
www.pgfreepress.com | newsline: 250.564.0005 Delynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com
LAND USE
When it comes to collaborating with First Nations on land management issues, there are both good and bad examples. Terry Teegee, chief of the CarrierSekani Tribal Council (CSTC), shared some of those examples during his presentation at the Resources North conference in June, where representatives of stakeholders involved in land management issues came together to discuss ways to handle the process in a cooperative way, benefiting everyone while protecting the land that serves them all. Teegee began by sharing his expertise, including a background in forestry coupled with a long history working to help people understand and defend the rights of First Nations’ people. DeLynda PILON/Free Press He talked about the original Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee discusses working with First Nations at the Resources North conference in June community that survived thousands in Prince George. of years at the conflux of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, about how 100 years ago the settlement burned and the people were displaced. apparent. “We left the treaty table,” he said. Teegee said the CSTC now governs a vast area with Teegee listed several successful examples. He added the new agreements have been beneficial across eight communities and about 9,000 people, which is also The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources the board. currently the fastest-growing ethnic population. (CIER) is a First Nation directed organization focused One recent collaboration had the CRTC providing “We provide technical and political support for the on creating sustainable First Nation communities and a industry training for a company’s employees. community,” Teegee said. healthy environment, guided by values of respect, integrity, During a Q&A session following the presentation, Teegee Right now Teegee said the Carrier-Sekani are being innovation, excellence, balance and teamwork. was asked his stance on pipelines. bombarded with project proposals. With one pipeline in The Sustainable Forest Management Network, which With many projects proposed, he agreed one dedicated service, a natural gas pipeline that has transported the looked at integrated land management approaches (ILM) route might be the way to go, however he has not been commodity since the 60’s, there are about eight more with a First Nations’ perspective, conducting a national officially approached with the idea yet. proposals before them. survey of partnerships between First Nations and the forest However, the CSTC remains firm in its stance against the Mining within their territory is nothing new. Historically, sector Northern Gateway Pipeline. Endako Mine has been in production for years. Now Teegee participated in a Harvard report, Bearing the “We will use any legal means possible to fight it,” he said. Mount Milligan, among several others, is coming onBurden, which looked at the effects of mining on First “We will see at the end of this year what the Joint Review board and, Teegee said, there are many more proposals for Nations in B.C. as well as a proposed tailing pond at Panel says.” explorations. Duncan. He encouraged people to consult with First Nations in the In forestry, there have been major logging developments The Canadian Boreal Initiative brings together partners early stages of the process. since the 1930’s. Existing transmission lines along with new to create solutions for boreal conservation and sustainable Making sure there is a balance between industry, the ones coming through, particularly those tied to the Site C development, and supported First Nations in Manitoba and environment as well as local communities, and that dam. Ontario in creating land-use plans along with the provinces everything the different resource sectors are taking from a The CSTC also sees the potential for tourism, something involved. single plot of land cumulatively is not just a First Nations they are further exploring. Teegee went on to talk about how the CSTC has moved problem. With all of these projects moving forward and more more towards friendship treaties rather than other forms of “This is not just a First Nations’ problem. It’s everyone’s coming, the need to collaborate with First Nations is treaties. problem.”
DEALING
with FIRST NATIONS
WOOD STOVES
39
Years
Experience
FRASER WOOD STOVES, WOOD INSERTS, PELLET STOVES AND ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD FIREPLACES
Come See our Operational Display Models
Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Your Indoor Weatherman 430 Third Avenue Prince George Phone: 1-250-562-6777 Fax: 1-250-562-6707 www.frasercanada.com
NO Interest, NO Payments 1-866-447-6777 for 6 Months, O.A.C.
WOOD FURNACES BY • CLAYTON • HOTBLAST • CADDY • SELKIRK CHIMNEYS WOOD STOVES BY • LOPI • REGENCY • ENERZONE • DROLET • QUADRA FIRE • OSBURN • NESTOR MARTIN • ARCHGARD GAS FIREPLACES BY • LOPI • TRAVIS • REGENCY • KINGSMAN • NAPOLEON • ARCHGARD • NESTOR MARTIN PELLET STOVES & INSERTS BY • QUADRA FIRE
2