@ ~ Friday, March 31, 1995 — North Shore News POTEET SIRT RE ER VANE ERS EET ALTER RE RHIC SERS Wright's treaty treatise chal Dear Editor: Re: Response to Noel Wright's ‘column on treaty negotiations. It is unfortunate that Mr. Wright does not take time to check his facts ‘before writing on the subject of B.C. treaty negotiations (“‘Mikey’s Indian fall?” — Marcls 12 News). First, treaty negotiations are not i going on behind closed doors. Under the B.C. Treaty Commission "process, three First Nations groups — the Sechelt, the Champagne- Aishihik and the Gitxsan — have initialed . Framework Agreements (stage 3) and are preparing to move into Agreement in Principle negoti- , ations (stage 4). Each set of negoti- ‘ations has developed an’ openness . protocol which sets out the guide- lines that the three parties will fol- low to make negotiations accessible to the public. 3. In the most Ioéal example, the Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast have held three negotiation sessions. These included two sessions culmi- nating in. the initialing of the _ Framework Agreement. in December 1994, ‘and one subse- quent meeting preparing for stage 4, =: All three meetings were open to the : public and were advertised through notices in the local papers. A new briefing was held at the end of each “session. Mr. Wright is welcome to ; attend, : Second, in terms of ratifying a treaty, during the negotiation process, governments are required to consult with local interests. The provincial and federal governments are working with communities throughout B.C. to set up Regional Advisory Committees that will rep- resent local interests. These must be in place before negotiations begin and will continue for the duration of the negotiations. There are two reasons consultation is important: it will ensure local interests are represented at the negotiation table; & it allows the community to help shape the final treaty. That means that the community’s intecests are already worked into the agreement before a treaty reaches the ratifica- tion stage. Ratification itself involves three distinct steps. The members of the First Nation are reguired to. vote on the agrec- ment, as only they have the legal authority to ratify a treaty and because it is a decision, on rights held, collectively. Under Canada’s Constitution, both the provincial legislature and the federal Parliament must debate and approve treaties. While Mr. Wright describes this _ as a rubber-stamp process, it'is how Canada has passed legislation for ¢ Custom LEasE “VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT ‘LEASE SPECIALISTS HOME OF BC’S MOST FLEXIBLE LEASE ‘eu disclosure fease documants opportunity to lease used vehicles ef Frexiba terms & residuals no 43 5 mont 1985 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER SE PA, pA, cruise, tilt, keyless entry, air cond., 3.3L V6, 4 speed auto, 7 pass, Custom Lease Price $21 401 1 “ofto penalty, early settlement Ef Fioating of fixed rates _ Wess in your vehicle & tease it back 1995 INTREPID 22C _ Phw, pil, cruise, tilt, air cond, 3.8L V6, auto & more Custom Lease Prive $20,489 1995 TOYOTA X-CAB 4X4 All standard equipment plus V6, tire package & chrome package. Custom Lease Price $22,987 {24D monn ! 1995 NISSAN SENTRA ; _ Ali new design. 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