4 — Friday, November 4, 1994 -~ North Shore News hief sees win-win in land dea First phase of $10M Burrard complex done CHIEF LEONARD George has come to a conclusion — money means power. By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter This isn’t a particularly native way of seeing things. George, a spiritual man who's on his third elected term serving the North Shore’s Burrard band, has simply deduced that if natives want to determine their own future they need to be self-sufficient. The Burrard band is working hard to make that happen, using valuable land it owns on the North Shore. It is currently planning to develop 10 acres north of Dollarton Highway for tiered townhouses. Getting the go-ahead to build un the reserve and sel! to people who aren’t band members is com- plicated. George said a series of public meetings and then a referendum must be held before the band can apply to the Ministry of Indian Affairs for permission to develop. These circumlocutions may seem archaic, but they are an improvement on the old rules. “It was against the law, for a long time, for an Indian to build anything on his own land except housing, and against the law for an Suits Special Selections of Single and Double Breasted in all this season’s colors. Regular $699” Indian to own anything off- reserve,” George said. The Burrard band has already completed the first phase of its $10 million, u3-townhouse Ravenwoods complex and a sec- ond phase, made up of 104 apart- ments, will be finished in November. The band offers the equivalent of a strata title on the houses at Ravenwoods, which means own- ers purchase them on a 99-year lease. “We can’t sejl our land because it's in conflict with the constitu- tion.” George explained. But, he said, “It being a lease- hold wasn't an issue with our buy- ers.” The strata title did, however, mean that at under $260,000, the houses were more reasonably priced than one might expect from any equivalent property on the North Shore. “We try to build the best ata fair price,” said George. “We're offering a deal that we'd like to receive ourselves, and | don't think developers generally look at it that way.” The housing is built by band and off-reserve labor. It is intend- ed to serve several purposes: gen- erating income for the band; giv- ing work, money and experience ’% price 1 . Sports Jackets Zeprice A huge selection of colours and patterns. Regular $399” Pants | All wool. Regular $185” Dress Shirts Hathaway & Dior in a great selection of colours. Regular 589” Raincoats Zip-out lining. Regular $399” Paar eres an eee % price Y% price V7 price to band tradespeople, and estab- lishing alliances between band members and home buyers. “T like to think of these people as becoming part of eur communi- ty. and who knows what could come out of that relationship?” George said. “These people will become role models to our people. too, “The development has more to do with the development of people than the development of Jand.“ The band is also considering building a marina and developing waterfront property. Like many native leaders Our autumn prices are still falling. It’s our biggest across the country, George is Ury- ing to pet the Burrard band out from under the thunth of the feder- al government. “The government is always try- ing to put people in their place.” he said. “E like to set up systems where people make choices of what they want to do.” Freedom of choice is just one aspect of native self-government, George believes that when Maitives are given Money whd ser- vices by the government they learn that they don't have to be accountable. When they have to work to carn what they own, they value it, he said. Although mative culture has never focused on ownership, George believes it has to adapt if it is to survive. “What [can see is that govern. ment is structured around finanee and money, and if you have your own you can start deciding what you want to do,” said the chief, “Lthink in reality, and Tmay be too optitnisiic. the settlement of lund claims and native people get- Hing the right to gain jurisdiction of their own lands could be the injection we need in Canada’s economy." Ce Upholstery Accessories sale of the year. You'll find regular $20 prices as low as $2.99 per yard. | North Vancouver ¢ 1180 Marine Drive, Ph: 986-1906 Kerrisdale * 2045 W. 41st Avenue, Ph: 266-3611 Mon. - Sat., 9:30-5:30 p.M./Sun., noon—5 P.M. But shop early as quantities are limited. Sorry—no holds or loans on sale items. DECORAT ive FABRICS Grand Opening Sale Visit us at our New location in Surrey’s GUILDFORD TOWN CENTRE Sale on at all four locations PARK ROYAL SOUTH 390 WEST HASTINGS ST., VAN. RICHMOND CENTRE GUILDFORD TOWN CENTRE, SURREY