Dissent continues to grow

Disgruntled members of the Tsimshian Nation are calling for a "timeout" to treaty negotiations, claiming that the current representatives at the table are self-appointed and operating under a shroud of secrecy.

The concerned group, comprised of community leaders from all of the Tsimshian bands, met in mid-December in Prince Rupert, just days after circulating a petition that demands a halt to the current process until a referendum of the membership is held.

"What really pulled us together was that, a few weeks ago, we got word that (the current negotiators) were liquidating all of the tribal council's assets," said Clarence Nelson, Chief Nistoix of the Gitwilgots tribe and member of the Metlakatla band. "They had a truck at the office and they were hauling away documents, important and historical documents, and they were shredding papers."

Nelson said the removal of the items set off alarms with many members, who are frustrated at being left in the dark about the status of the council and treaty negotiations since the previous council was dissolved and new band appointees, mostly chief counsellors, took over.

A potluck dinner and meeting of interested members was held last month and a petition drawn up that read:

"We, the undersigned Ts'msyen, are submitting this petition to both levels of government and to the British Columbia Treaty Commission, to highlight the fact that the vast majority of the Ts'msyen have not delegated their authority to the self-appointed treaty negotiators who are currently purporting to act on our behalf. These people do not have our authority to negotiate the Ts'msyen treaty lands and resources on our behalf. The current process is so flawed we demand an immediate timeout that must remain in force up to and until a referendum addressing the Ts'msyen Treaty is concluded."

The dispute has arisen in the wake of Tsimshian bands withdrawing from the council to pursue their own treaty negotiations in the past few years.

With Kitkatla simply stepping away from the treaty process, the remaining six Tsimshian bands (Metlakatla, Hartley Bay, Kitselas, Kitasoo, Kitsumkalum and Lax Kw'Alaams) decided the council no longer would represent them and withdrew from it. But, since the council was still recognized by the government, the bands rejoined the council and appointed directors-for the sole purpose of dissolving it. Out were the chiefs who normally sat on the board - including Nelson-and in were the band councillors.

As a result, the last Tsimshian General Assembly, in 2004, was boycotted by band leaders, leaving a confused and, in some quarters, angry membership.

Complicating matters, said Rick Miller, a former council executive director and one of the people spearheading the petition, is that band negotiators refuse to answer to the concerns.

"There has been too much secrecy and no accountability. We asked them to come to our meeting but they haven't deemed it necessary to speak to the Tsimshian community," said Miller. "Up until now, people have been afraid to stand up but there is a groundswell of resistance now."

The next meeting of the group will be held in January. In the meantime, the petitions are being circulated to every Tsimshian band involved in the dispute.

For this story, Raven's Eye made calls for comments to leaders of all the involved bands, chief councillors and treaty negotiators, but calls were not returned.