Recent changes in province mobilize group to action

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PRINCE GEORGE-Four hundred First Nations leaders, youth and Elders met in Prince George the end of last month at the second Lands and Resources Unity Conference. The event was held to mobilize an action plan to deal with recent changes in provincial lands and forest legislation. The alliance of nations had developed a joint statement from meetings held in September in Kelowna, which everyone in attendance signed; it demands the province repeal land and forest legislation that does not accommodate Aboriginal title and rights. The aim is to set up legal, political and financial strategies to ensure Aboriginal title and rights are protected when forestry and other resource-based deals are signed.

"The provincial government has unilaterally changed natural resource legislation in B.C. without considering First Nations interests. There has been no effort to recognize or accommodate Aboriginal rights and title and this is simply not acceptable to us.

The province must realize that they have an obligation to work with First Nations to obtain the certainty that they are seeking," said Chief Nathan Matthew, chairman of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.

"We have an obligation to protect and manage the land for future generations."

Organizations represented in the alliance include the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the First Nation Summit, Northwest Tribal Treaty Nations, Treaty 8, independent bands, Coastal Nations of the Turning Point Initiative, and host nation, the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.

More information on the work of the alliance of Nations is available from Justa Monk, co-chair, Northwest Tribal Treaty Nations (250) 961-3925; Chief Stewart Philip, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (250) 490-5314; Guujaaw, president, Council of the Haida Nation (250) 559-9939; Grand Chief Ed John, First Nation Summit (604) 990-9939; and Chief Harry Pierre, tribal chief, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (250) 562-6279.