News in Brief

Page 12

Treaty Commission issues annual report

Chief Commissioner Miles Richardson says the British Columbia Treaty Commission process is at a crossroads.

In the commission's annual report Richardson, appointed to head the commission in late 1998, singled out the need for improved funding for First Nations involved in the process and the need for improved interim measures as the biggest obstacles to the succesful completion of treaties.

"The treaty commission has informed Canada and B.C. that, without more funding, many First Nations treaty offices and research efforts will falter," he wrote. "Even those First Nations nearing completion of agreements in principle or otherwise making progress in negotiations will find it difficult if not impossible to sustain the pace of negotiations."

Pointing out that traditional lands are being plundered of their resources by outside interests even as the treaty process continues, Richardson stressed the need for some agreements to respect the interests of First Nations.

"First Nations, who are taking on substantial debt to negotiate treaties, are increasingly frustrated that they are not sharing enough in the benefits of those resources in their traditional territories," he wrote.

Healing Foundation announces first list of projects

On June 23, Georges Erasmus, the chairman of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, announced the first 35 community projects that will benefit from the $350 million healing fund established by the federal government almost 17 months previously.

Nine different projects will receive a total of $2,328,842.60 in British Columbia.

Erasmus told reporters that many applications were either late or didn't meet the standards set by the foundation but he added that his staff will work with the unsuccessful applicants so that the applications will be able to be judged on their own merits in future calls for submissions.

Fishing tension

There was friction on the water as Reform MP John Cummins and others protested an Aboriginal fishery off Vancouver Island on June 28, prompting Native leaders to call for action. Al Ross, Tseshaht First Nation Aboriginal Fishery Officer, said he will be requesting that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans lay charges immediately. "This Aboriginal Fishing Strategy fishery is a legal fishery," said Ross. "The Sparrow decision gives First Nations a legal priority to the resource. These guys protesting are fishing without a permit and we'll recommend DFO charge them, confiscate their fish, and distribute their catch to our Elders."