[invisible.gif] [invisible.gif] [canoe_net.gif] [Inside CANOE.CA..] [invisible.gif] CNEWS cnews ad [pg_top_right.gif] cnews home [pg_top.gif] [ffffff.gif] [invisible.gif] [square_red.gif] Law & Order [square_red.gif] Politics [square_red.gif] Space [square_red.gif] Science [square_red.gif] Tech News [square_red.gif] Canadiana [square_red.gif] In Depth [square_red.gif] Weird News [square_red.gif] Weather _____ Search [ebay54x24.gif] _____ Search [square_red.gif] News Tickers [invisible.gif] -Canada [invisible.gif] -The West [invisible.gif] -Ont/Que [invisible.gif] -Atlantic Canada [invisible.gif] -World [invisible.gif] -CP Business [square_red.gif] Your View [square_red.gif] Forums [square_red.gif] Charities [square_red.gif] Columns [square_red.gif] Sun Papers [square_red.gif] Today in History [invisible.gif] [invisible.gif] [pod_title.gif] [pod.jpg] [invisible.gif] [nav_search_bottom.gif] Wednesday, July 3, 2002 [ffffff.gif] [ffffff.gif] [ffffff.gif] B.C. widely backs treaty principles By DIRK MEISSNER -- The Canadian Press VICTORIA -- A controversial B.C. referendum on treaty negotiations passed with overwhelming support Wednesday, but it's unclear whether the vote will speed up a process that has stagnated after 10 years without any signed treaties. Premier Gordon Campbell deflected questions about whether aboriginal unrest over the referendum will damage future treaty talks, saying he expected negotiations to continue. "First Nations leaders in this province want to resolve treaties," he said. "I believe that they will come to the table in good faith. I believe that we have created an opportunity here for resolution." The mail-in ballot asked voters to vote Yes or No to eight proposed principles to guide the province in treaty negotiations with First Nations and the federal government. All eight -- which included questions on the style of aboriginal self-government and the hunting and fishing rights of non-aboriginal people on Crown land -- received a Yes vote of more than 80 per cent, Campbell said. He called the referendum, which sparked lawsuits and protests, "an incredible milestone." "After many years of being shut out of the treaty process, the people of our province have sent a resounding message to First Nations and to Canadians alike that we are committed to pursuing the negotiation of treaties that are affordable, that are workable, that create certainty, finality and equality," said Campbell. An official with the largest aboriginal group in the province warned a narrow and rigid interpretation of the guidelines won't do anything to speed talks or improve bruised relations with native people. "Let us be clear that the First Nations Summit has been and will continue to be committed to a process of negotiation that will ultimately result in modern-day treaties that will benefit all British Columbians," said Lydia Hwitsum. "The only way this can be achieved is if issues are placed on the negotiating table without strings or limitations attached." Herb George, also of the summit, said Campbell's Liberals must respect that aboriginals have an inherent right to self government or future negotiations will falter. "The critical point here is regarding inherent right," he said. "If that is not on the table, then we're not there." After 10 years and half a billion dollars spent on trying to negotiate treaties across the province, not a single one has been signed. Only the Nisga'a treaty stands as a modern-day treaty in British Columbia, but it was negotiated outside the current process. The stalls, delays and costs have meant few in the province would argue the current process is working. But the referendum sparked widespread criticism, with court challenges and protests from aboriginal, labour, church and social groups who complained the referendum allowed the views of the majority to be imposed on a minority. Even as the results were being released, a protest barbecue to grill salmon and spoiled ballots was planned for a Wednesday evening party hosted by one Vancouver Island aboriginal band. About 760,000 ballots -- one-third -- were returned by the May 15 deadline. Aboriginal groups say another 30,000 spoiled ballots were sent to them. The mail-in ballot was the first of its kind in Canada. Campbell defended the 36 per cent response rate, saying that's more people than voted to elect an NDP government in 1996. It's unclear what impact the results will have. Attorney General Geoff Plant said most of the guidelines affirmed by the referendum were already in place. "I think what's new is this: Government has had a set of principles, but government has had those principles without knowing if the people support them. "Today we know that the people of British Columbia overwhelmingly support those principles." Plant said the province will now try to speed up the process by reaching treaties on an incremental basis, signing a series of issue-related deals as opposed to a single all-encompassing treaty. "Traditionally, the approach has been there is no agreement, no transfer, no benefits until there's agreement on the entire package," he said. Only about 20 of B.C.'s 200 First Nations have treaties, and those were signed in the mid-1800s. Aboriginal leaders have said they just want to get on with talks. They maintain the referendum was at best, a waste of time and money -- the vote cost about $9 million -- and at worst, a harmful diversion from the goals of treaty-making. Prof. Taiaiake Alfred, recently appointed Indigenous Peoples Research Chair at the University of Victoria, rejected the provincial government's argument the referendum breathes new life into the stagnant process. Instead, the referendum alienated many moderate aboriginals and did little to enlighten most B.C. non-aboriginals, Alfred said. "The treaty process is built on old ideas and that's why it's not working," he said. "It's built on the old idea that natives have a certain place in society, and that place is they have to fit in with the newcomers." Alfred, a Mohawk, said aboriginal leaders must listen to the majority of tribal members who don't believe negotiations based on compromise with Canadian governments will win them rights to their land. "The grassroots aboriginals are feeling more despondent than ever about a co-operative solution," he said. [ffffff.gif] [ffffff.gif] [ffffff.gif] CNEWS Poll Who will be premier of Quebec after the next general election? (_) Bernard Landry (_) Jean Charest (_) Mario Dumont (_) Other (_) Don't Care SUBMIT Check results Read more [ffffff.gif] Spread the News! 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