Treaty commission set up for B.C.

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More than 4,000 people gathered at this North Vancouver reserve to make the creation of British Columbia's treaty commission in a day-long celebration of the once-outlawed potlatch ceremony.

"This historic signing ceremony is the culmination of many years of hard work by our people," said Chief John Edward, of the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council.

"Our ancestors and elders have guided us to this momentous day. It marks the beginning of a new relationship...which recognizes and respects First Nations as self-determining and distinct nations."

Dignitaries were blanketed and honored with traditional songs and dances as

they entered the longhouse-style recreation complex where the signing occurred.

The new commission - signed into existence by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Premier Mike Harcourt and the province's First Nations leaders - will co-ordinate land claim talks. Most of B.C.'s 192 First Nations never signed treaties, making settlement negotiations long and difficult.

The five-member group follows up on one of the key recommendations of the 1991 B.C. Claims Task Force report, written by federal, provincial and Native governments.

The commission will oversee the negotiation of modern treaties, co-ordinate the start of talks and monitor progress. It will also develop an information base to provide a public record of each negotiation's status.

"This new relationship with the federal and provincial governments will allow First Nations to walk proudly into the 21st century," said Chief Joe Mathias of the Squamish Nation.

Mulroney, who was in B.C. to kick off a support campaign for the August constitutional accord, used the event to pitch support for the Oct. 26 national unity referendum.

"The time has come for all Canadians...to say...yes, a solid generous yes to the Native peoples of Canada. It is long overdue," he said.

But not all bands welcomed the new agreement. A representative from the Okanagan Nation Elders Council slammed the deal as a manipulative attempt by the government to draw support for the constitution, strongly opposed in B.C.

In a media release, council spokesman Glenn Douglas said First Nations should be given more time to resolve land title issues in B.C., where Natives are being "railroaded" by an "elitist" group of leaders.

Members of the Gitskan and Wet'su'weten band on a railway blockade in north-central B.C. took a cynical view of the event. Don Ryan, the band's traditional government spokesman, said the commission's work will be held up until final financing agreements are reached between Ottawa and the province.

The blockade is partially the result of a timber-rights dispute between the Gitskan and Wet'su'weten and the Westar sawmill.