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Spring is just around the corner and another hot summer on this side of the Rockies is in store on almost every front. Unresolved issues around everything including Aboriginal rights and, most importantly, Aboriginal title are coming to the fore in almost every First Nation community where you care to look.

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A top scientist at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) says there are too many whales for the ecosystem to currently support, and they will continue to starve unless their population is managed.

The scientist, who did not want his name printed because of the political volatility of the whaling issue, said the 150 gray whales that washed up on Pacific shores over the last year are only the tip of the iceberg.

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The Interior Alliance, representing the Okanagan, Nlaka'pamux, Secwepemc, St'at'imc and Southern Carrier Nations, has served notice to the provincial forest ministry and members of the forest industry that Aboriginal consent must be sought in order legitimize any plans involving the harvesting of trees in the south central interior of British Columbia.

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Survivors of the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) marked the second anniversary of their fight against the United Church and the government of Canada with a silent remembrance ceremony outside the Vancouver courthouse on Feb. 2.

Having successfully completed vicarious liability proceedings, and still awaiting a decision on subsequent direct liability hearings, the remaining plaintiffs are now involved in the damages phase of the trial, which began in November of last year and is expected to last throughout this year and perhaps into 2001.

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The south-central Skeetchestn Indian band has announced plans to appeal a recent B.C. Supreme Court decision regarding Aboriginal title at Six-Mile Ranch.

The announcement was made by Skeetchestn Chief Ron Ignace at a news conference held in the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council boardroom on Feb. 15.

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The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and the University of British Columbia hosted three days of workshops dealing with issues of great interest to Indigenous people and peoples around the world from Feb. 24 to 26 at two sites on the Vancouver university's campus.

Protecting Knowledge: Traditional Resource Rights in the New Millennium, as the gathering was entitled, attracted experts in a variety of areas from around the globe.

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Two wolves were killed on Vargas Island located off the west coast of Vancouver Island by BC Parks officials after a camper was injured on July 1. The camper reported waking to an animal tugging at his bedroll spread out on the beach. He yelled to scare the animal away but it jumped on him. He landed a solid kick, and the wolf bit him on the head and hand. The BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks responded by killing two wolves, based on their concern for public safety. They neglected to consult the Ahousat Nation, whose traditional lands include Vargas Island.

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British Columbia is the other hotspot for Indian politics here in Canada with the Burnt Church situation cooling off and tempers on all sides worn down to the frayed edges. Even though the Mi'kmaq have a treaty they are reduced to being beggars in their own lands. What does that say about efforts to get treaties here in B.C.?

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A salmon fishing trip on the Fraser River turned up more than just fish.

Vic Carrao, of STS Guiding Service in Mission, was fishing on a river bar halfway between Agassiz and Hope.

Daughters Nicole, 9, and Deanna, 6, became bored and went looking for lost fishing gear. They found an ancient Native artifact.

"When the kids got tired of fishing, I offered them 25 cents for weights, and five cents for corkies and sharp hooks," Carrao said. "The kids had not been gone very long when Nicole came back to me and said, 'Look at this neat rock.'"

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A salmon fishing trip on the Fraser River turned up more than just fish.

Vic Carrao, of STS Guiding Service in Mission, was fishing on a river bar halfway between Agassiz and Hope.

Daughters Nicole, 9, and Deanna, 6, became bored and went looking for lost fishing gear. They found an ancient Native artifact.

"When the kids got tired of fishing, I offered them 25 cents for weights, and five cents for corkies and sharp hooks," Carrao said. "The kids had not been gone very long when Nicole came back to me and said, 'Look at this neat rock.'"