" .@ - Sunday, September 27, 1992 - North Shore News Pondering native powers IN THE ‘‘consensus’’ version of the proposed new Constitution, the section dealing with First Peoptes, the right to protect the environment on Indian reserves is specifically speiled out. By ‘‘consensus’’ version, J, of course mean the one that has been ’ published so far, which doesn’t include all the cute little changes to be made in parts that end with an asterix, which includes quite a few secticns. Here is the bright side. This is the part that would be signed by a tube who believed a travelling en- cyclopedia salesman’s rap,not hav- ing seen the final text, or what we used to call the fine print. - In this version, included under the inherent right of self-govern- ment and recognition of *% aboriginal governments as one of three orders of government in . Canada, is the authority to ‘‘de- velop, maintain and strengthen (natives’) relationship with their lands, waters and environment so as to determine and control their devélopment as peoples according to their own values znd priorities and ensure that integrity of their Did Bob Rae write that? Or was it something David Suzuki * whispered in his ear? For this is what Suzuki has deen saying for-years should be done. - He has been one of the most outspoken advocates of the argu- ment that the natives can be trusted to take better care of land in their custody than stone- hearted mining and togging and petroleum companies, In this view, native people living’ * on reserves are the final line of defence against total destruction of the natural world. . Certainly, this holds true in many areas of South America and Maiaysia where Stone Age _ aboriginais have their backs to the last stands of rainforest, with . bulldozers and soldiers closing in on all sides. ” 2. The inclusion of the right to de- _) fend the land i in an archipelago of - 600-odd Indian reserves in . Canada amounts to a mini- ~ -sevolution, something akin to . what. the Shining Path terrorists of Peru have been seeking (although - they want to utterly smash the state apart while they’re at it). --The amendment to our _ Constitution amounts to quite a . Fadical twist. " “>If sucka Constitution had been in place at the time of Oka, and .. had there been a claims settlement : process in motion, such as the fast track: and twibunai set upin — Bob Hunter STRICTLY PERSONAL B.C. last week, the situation would likely never have gotten out of control. _ The B.C. Treaty Commission tepresents a major turn-around on the part of. British Columbia’s successive governments, which have refused to deal with Indian land claims since the day the pro- vince entered Confederation. Only a handful of treaties were signed in B.C., so any further re- sponsibility for native territorial boundaries was Ottawa’s, thank you.” Ottawa, for its part, mostly shrugged. The possibility of land-ciaim settlements actually being settled means that a certain develop- mental fog-jam could be ended, . especially in B.C. Deals could be cut. Money could start flowing into band cof- fers. Machines could start up in the forest. I wonder whether in the long run kardcore environmentalists will be any more delighted by In- dian-directed industrial activity than they were by Canadian or foreign development, except to the extent that no one can imagine any tribe flooding its own land to sell power, and so the worst-case environmental scenarios are automatically ruled out. As for the actual track record of native societies when it comes to preserving the environment, the . fact is that the natives’ fabulous "s. collective reputation as the origi- nal eco-freaks was established in . the era prior to industrialization. - Whether modern band councils acting as a third level of govern- ment-within government, advised by accountants, lawyers, bankers and media consultants, would in fact reject all mining, logging or oil drilling proposals is a moot point. Au contraire, many ~— if not most of them — will likely declare themselves open for business. That’s part of what emancipation is ali about, right? One thing is clear: There is no over-riding environmental con- sideration at work-here that any- body I’ve talked to can see. It may well be that native con- ‘trol over land automatically means better environmental stewardship, but only time can tell. I have already detailed the op- position of the traditional native peoples — the families of the he- reditary chiefs, includizg the. chiefs of the wing-clans and other royalty, the medicine people, the Pipe-Carriers and Elders, who are net just ‘“‘old people’’ but the ones trained all their lives for this particular vocation. : The Native Women’s Associa- tion of Canada is so outraged with the deal, they have gone to sourt to launch a suit against the federal government, asking for an injunction to stop the Oct. 26 ref- erendum. The Sisters claim that the pro- posed wording actually reduces the rights of aboriginal women in Canada ~- and, surely, if the rights of any one group in this country need to be strengthened, not weakened, it is those of the Native Sisterhood, as they struggle . to cope with the battered egos of their still-recovering men. From an environmental point of view, apart from the assumed ecological goodliness of native self-government, there is little in the proposed Constitution worth cheering oneself hoarse about, unless the assumption remains true that a federation holds out the dest hope of pretecting en- dangered regional eco-systems by pitting national bureaucrats and politicians against provincial bu- reaucrats and politicians. ° in other words, greatness through division of powers. It seems unlikely. Yet ithasaring. It is important, therefore, to . eazamine the First Peoples clauses _. in the Constitutional proposals to see if they aren’t b.s., because, certainly, most of the rest of it is. If there’s nothing redeemable in .. the self-government clauses, then we might as weil all start washing our hands ofit. - CT Advertisement — nyon Point Offers Luxurious Condominium Living a. perfect, natural setting - ~ enclave overlooking the North Shore “hills.” And in this idyllic setting, 27 - - Spacious and luxurious condominium A homes, built to a new standard of ex- dust completed by Anhart’ Develop- Canyon Point offers a choice ‘of five ne floor plans ranging from 2654 to 1852 . square: feet, all with two bedrooms ae ‘(both with ensulte), a den or optional * - third bedroom, private balconies, the - .. upper floor suites with vaulted ceilings ~ and skylights.— all with the big and little features that make a nice con- dominium development an caitstan-" ; ding one. You enter - Canyon Point through | the BC. Tel ‘Enterphone’ security system “with video, which allows tenants to screen visitors arriving by foot or car. . The building exterior combines natural ‘cedar shingles, trdditional Portland stucco and age-old river rock facings to blend with the green sutroundings. . Entrances to each home are private, opening off the manicured courtyard. nnn Advertisement Inside, the quality standards are im- mediately evident: heavy 52-ounce carpet underfoot, Frederick Raymond light fixtures in the entry corridor, anand liv. ing room with floor to ceiling windows, ’ windows with custom colour finish, window seats in upper floor. suites, -and the. extensive use: of marble, granite and tile throughout. The result ~ is condominium homes that set a new natural gas fireplace with wood * mantel, and a balcony with glazed rail- ing accessible from both the living room and kitchen nook. In the kitchen, track lighting shows off the Jenn Air appliances - side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, conventional self- cleaning wall oven, micrewave, range hood, fan light and natural gas cook .top. Kitchen cabinets have raised pane] wood fronts with a-high gioss enamel finish. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet; the ensuite features Kohler, bathroom fixtures, a jetted tub and separate shower stall. The second bedroom has an ensuite with a deep tub and shower stall. Halogen light sources are used at alt bathroom miz- Tors, including the separate powder room, to provide true colour rendition and low power consumption. Add in ail the other finishing features, like ‘Decora’ light switches and recep- tacles, wood trim on door frames and baseboards, double pane glass- The same standards have been ap- plied to all aspects of Canyon Point. An automatic fire alarm system with - sprinkler system interface is in place throughout the suites and commen areas. Each home’ is -individually monitored for electrical and gas con- sumption and each is equipped with - a separate pressure reducing valve to provide consistent water pressure. In- floor radiating hot water heating with four zones per suite‘ensures comfort levels in each room. No opportunity - to enhance the living environment has been overlocked. Canyon Point is cori- dominium living in a class by itself. * Canyon Point is located at 3200 and 3288 Capilano Road in North Van- couver. The Display Suite is open daily from 1-5 pm. Fer more information on Can- yon Point, lock in the -Real Estate Homes section, Friday, Sept. 25 page 104. Northlands News is a booklet. ses sjtec a Proposed Plan for Northlands Golf Course: and Neighbourhood, which is:currently being ‘considered by the Council of the District, of. - North Vanco uver. - ‘The Plan proposes a significant develop: en for our community z and it’s important. tha all residents have the opportunity | to review and. comment on. the. Plan. & That's why this. summary is s being delivered to you, and every other resident i in the Dis- trict, for your: : ¢ information — . discussion, and; _—s ‘comment. And, you's re invited toan Open House for- more detailed information and discussion of _ the Northlands Golf Course and Neighbour “hood Plan.; an ; Drop in between 7 p.m. and 9 p- %° October 8; to Handsworth School - “1044 Edgewodd Road,or' s October: 15.to Windsor School -. 935 Broadview.