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VOL. 27 NO. 16
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Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Nisga’a ink deals with province By ANNA KILLEN INDUSTRY LOOKING to do business on Nisga’a lands can now do so with more certainty following the signing of a series of agreements between the Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) and the province of British Columbia, say officials from both governments. Hailed as a “significant milestone” in the relationship between the NLG and the province, the agreements, signed during a cer-
emony at the Nisga’a legislative assembly in New Aiyansh July 31, advance Nisga’a treaty implementation and lay out a framework for future economic benefits for the Nisga’a Nation. One agreement signed by NLG president Mitchell Stevens and aboriginal affairs minister John Rustad at the ceremony enables the NLG to collect property taxes from Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a citizens who live on Nisga’a lands and have taxing authority over indus-
trial installations, like pipelines, which pass through Nisga’a lands. “We now occupy the tax room, through the agreement, that B.C. occupied,” said Stevens at the official signing, calling it “a very significant step in the history of the province of B.C. and the Nisga’a Nation.” The Nisga’a Real Property Tax Coordination Agreement, which still requires legislation from both governments to bring its terms into effect, is a pledge that solidifies one track of provincial
and Nisga’a discussions following the 2000 Nisga’a Final Agreement, which contained within it a commitment from all parties to negotiate a taxation agreement. While taxation talks had started and stalled over the years, “with the LNG (liquefied natural gas) opportunities and the LNG pipeline opportunities, it was timely to get it completed,” said Rustad, speaking afterwards. The agreements signed allow the Nisga’a “to be able to show
to industry the certainty that they have if they want to consider doing business on Nisga’a lands,” said Rustad. “Whether that be a pipeline or whether that be a facility of some kind ... this allows them now to say here’s the rules, here’s what it will look like, here’s the certainty that you need to come do business with us.” Mitchell indicated that stems from the strength of the Nisga’a Final Agreement.
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Gitxsan eviction felt by Skeena fishing guides By JOSH MASSEY LOCAL FISHING guides and their clients were waiting with baited breath this weekend to see what action the Gitxsan First Nation would take to make a statement about territorial land claims. A letter from the Gitxsan Treaty Society (GTS) from July 15 said in no uncertain terms that action would be taken to halt not only all fishing by non-Gitxsan in their 33,000 square kilometre traditional territory but also CN Rail, LNG pipeline work and other industry. The eviction was planned to begin Monday, but in the past weeks anglers were already being blocked from the rivers in the area extending east from Legate Creek, about 50 kilometres east of Terrace, and ending west of Smithers. Trees blocked boat launches and anglers were asked to leave, indicating the controlled strategy of action was happening ahead of schedule. For local guide outfitter Stan Doll of Terrace, it’s been business as usual, however, he and other guides have reported an influx of letters from clients asking if their summer fishing trip plans are still possible. “I have had to reassure clients,” said Doll, adding that he is less concerned than upstream guides because the western edge of Gitxsan land falls outside of many of the major tributaries typically fished by Terrace guides. Doll said the provincial government sent northwest outfitters a letter with recommendations about how to deal with potential confrontation, and also reaffirming their legal right to continue fishing.
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MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO
■■ Ka-boom! TED RAMSEY of the Terrace Rod and Gun Club prepares to fire the club’s cannon from arena hill as part of the Riverboat Days opening ceremony on the evening of Aug. 1. The firing of the black powder from the cannon has been a traditional part of the opening of the 10-day event for many years. For more Riverboat Days coverage, see inside.
Indescribable
The bear is back
Grab a paddle
Giving gifts to children in Dominican Republic means world to them \COMMUNITY A14
Artists and climbers work together to restore the bear above the old bridge \NEWS A3
And get out on the water with the Lakelse Dragons dragon boating team \SPORTS A22