Our home THE decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the native land claims case has just been handed down. Although the full text is not available ar the time of writing, it is clear that our unelected judicial legisla- tors, in approving the fabri- cated notion of “aboriginal rights to the occupation and use of the land” have, to put it mildly, thrown into question not only the own- ership of the lands compris- ing 110% of the province of B.C., but also that of other western provinces since the decision could result in re- opening issues long thought settled. In addition, regardless of the eventual outcome, this time bomb wiil have devas- tating effects on our already stretched resource-based economy. For example, how cuuld any responsible prospective investor proceed when it is faced with questionable tenure and the prospect of every mining and logging and industrial project being subject to the veto and financial demands of ene or more of the competing Indian bands, as if those of the eco-terrorists and their axe-grinding lawyers and Clark and his band of ideo- logically-driven simpietons were not bad enough? I will have more to say on this when I have studied the full text but in the meantime I strongly urge every citizen to read and re- read Our Howe or Native Land by Mel Smith Q.C. and to think hard about the implications of the ringing declaration by Squamish Band Chief Joe Mathias: “The aboriginal people of British Columbia own British Columbia 100% out- right.” You will have observed the pusillanimous way our unelected judicial legislators dodged the column. With all the grace of Pierre Elliott Trudeau pirouetting while brandish- ing his silk hankie over his head and giving the finger to the populace, they ordered a new trial on the astonishing grounds that the judge in the first instance should have spent more time than he did (over a year) accepting self-serv- ing alleged oral “tribal his- tory” and folk rales and mythologies, as “evidence,” all of it hearsay, and all of it i native bevond challenge since the plaintifts themselves were the sole source of it all. The prospect of starting all over again after 10 years of this gravy train must have brought joy to the hearts and bank managers of the privileged gang of lawyers who have grown rich at public expense litigating these lunatic “issues.” Do you realize that we pay for the lawyers for ALL sides of this legal farrago? ¢ have paid tens of mil- lions of dollars to patron- age-appointed lawyers, and remember Mulroney and his lapdog Charest played their tult part as did the Liberals, the other side of the two- faced con-game called feder- al politics in this stupetied country. We now have the choice of doing it all over again or going back to “negotiate” with Children of The Forest with a busted flush in our hand, courtesy of the Supreme Court of Canada. On the other hand we could face up to the reality of the situation. We could insist that Premier Clark not only refuse to re-litigate this case but also break off all negoti- ations with the Indians and Canada. He must revert to the position maintained by W.A.C, Bennett and his pre- decessors, namely, that set- tlemcnt of all Indian claims is the sole responsibility of the fedezal government under the express terms of the treaty of 1871 by which British Columbia joined Confederation. Although not obliged to do so, we might consider helping out the Rest of Canada by accepting a pro rata share of the cost. In such an event we would pay our share not in Jand but in B.C. govern- ment bonds at 4% redeemable in 100 years. If Clark refuses, 50 more recall petitions should be issued and every citizen, regardless of origin, who cares for, and wishes to remain in, a free and pros- perous B.C. should be out there collecting signatures. It would also help if Gordon Campbell would stop being such a Chretienous dog-in-the- manger and cither get rid of his Liberal connotations and start uniting British Columbia and fighting for it or get out of the way and let in someone in who will. In the meantime we can all reflect on the fact that Chretien is clearly bent on packing the Supreme Court with his Liberal-left sympa- thizers and cronies, just like the Americans, with the dif- ference thar in the U.S. the people have a chance to exercise some democratic control. Don't forget: read Our Home or Native Land by Mel Smith. A fine bottle of wine makes a « tasteful Christmas gift. Imagine thirty. A gift certificate for any of McWines’ 130 varieties of red or white wine kits is the ultimate in good taste. Wine kits are priced from as low as $85. The Winemaker’s Gift Shop on Pemberton also offers a wide selection of gift items for the wine connoisseur. Whether it’s a picnic basket (from $89), a wine rack (from $4.99), a book about wines or wine recipes, or a gift certificate for Christmas, you'll find everything the winemaker (or wine drinker) could ask for. 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