News

Dear Gitxsan Colleagues:

MATT VICKERS

Firstly, I would like to welcome Matt Vickers back home. Matt was away from Gitxsan Territories for a number of years pursuing other things. He is back with the Gitxsan Government Commission and his expertise will be put to good use. Matt will be putting in long hours as he did before. He will need encouragement so when you have the time stop by and tell him whatever you wish.

BETTER THAN BINGO!

Last week we witnessed a phenomenal event. Tathacus came back to life. It took more that a year for our beleaguered little company to get back on the board with the Canadian Venture Exchange.

As you know the company has two main assets. Tathacus owns Crucero Resources, which is a company that has gas-producing wells in southern Alberta. Tathacus also owns shares in an alternative energy company called Xogen. This alternative energy company has very lofty goals. The technology will produce clean renewable energy for use in even the most isolated regions of our country. It can pass all the environmental requirements that the Kyoto Accord demands.

We expect some research and development announcements to be made by Tathacus in the early part of the New Year. Tathacus is currently trading for a little over two dollars per share. It is listed on the Canadian Venture Exchange with the ticker symbol ttc. Buy as many shares as you can and hang on for a good ride.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

For the longest time the Crown has tried to extinguish the Gitxsan language and culture. Policies continue to be created that are characteristically of the vein that says we have to conform to the image and nature of the Crown. For example, the position of the Crown on governance is that it knows what is best for the Indians. Indians do not know how to account for public funds. Indians have no clue as to how to select their governors. Indians do not know how to arrive at good public decisions. Indians have to be taught how to look after each other and to accommodate each other’s interests. The Gitxsan know better.

A Gitxsan Language and Culture Agreement has been negotiated with Canada and British Columbia. The people that have undertaken negotiations have done a great job in setting the parameters for an Agreement that we can build upon. British Columbia has legislation in place that legally protects the Gitxsan language. Canada has to enact companion legislation. Our Language Commission has to get on a firm foundation and continue to do the necessary development work that will enable Gitxsanimx to be spoken with pride again. The success of this effort is up to all of us.

We have come a long ways. It was not too long ago that some of us were punished for speaking our language. I remember being told by some of our own people that I was backward for using Gitxsanimx while playing with other Gitxsan kids.

The Gitxsan people have a legally secure place in Canada and we can occupy our space with dignity and pride. What is important is that we can be free to be Gitxsan.

KISPIOX TIMBER SUPPLY AREA

Larry Pedersen recently issued his determination of the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) for the Kispiox Timber Supply Area. In 1981, the AAC was determined at 1,100,000 cubic metres. The AAC remained at that level until 1996 at which time it was set at 1,092, 611 cubic metres. Effective January 1, 2003 the new AAC for the Kispiox TSA will be 977,000 cubic metres.

The determination of the Chief Forester is important. It indicates that there continues to be a downward trend in what the provincial government expects to harvest from your territories.

We continue to get messages from the province that they want to allocate an “undercut” that is substantial. This so called “undercut” of a substantial number of cubic metres came about because virtually no logging took place in the Kispiox TSA over the last few years.

From my perspective this “undercut” can only be determined after House groups have taken stock of the forest resources that exists on their territories. House groups can then determine the level of harvest that can
sustain the forest economy and accommodate the Gitxsan interests.

The most glaring omission in the Chief Forester’s document is that he has not stated that the timber processing facilities have to be rationalized with the available wood supply. There are not enough saw logs in the region to keep all four sawmills in operation. There is probably only enough wood for one sawmill. What is in the cards for the three sawmills that have to be kept shut down? The determination of the AAC has to take into account the local social and economic objectives. The whole exercise has to be done right.

We stand by the submissions that we made to the Chief Forester. It is interesting to note that our representations were captured but somehow not understood.

SOMETIMES JUSTICE GETS DONE

This morning Justice David Tysoe rendered his judgment on the Yal et al (all of us) vs. the Minister of Forests case on consultation. The judgment came down very big for us. Judge Tysoe ruled that the Minister of Forests failed to consult. He stated that the Minister had to consult. He also ruled that we could go back to the court if the province does not accommodate our interests. Judge Tysoe also awarded costs. Gordie, Bertha, and Cynthia will get paid.

The Treaty office will be conducting workshops in January so that our side of the table will undertake consultation properly as the court is overseeing the whole process.


Elmer Derrick