38 - Sunday, February 25, 1990 - North Shore News Squamish Band Chief Joe Mathias gives his views on Meech,land tax n Vander Zalm’s Meech Lake amendment pro- posal: “As far as I’m concerned it stinks. Vander Zalm’s whole approach to dealing with the issue as separate distinct societies is contradictory; if there’s anything distinct about the Pacific Northwe:st it's the Indian element of society. ..Vander Zalm’s proposal to deal with the province of B.C. as distinct to the exclusion of aboriginal people, from my point of view, stinks. Of course he said he’d deal with aboriginal rights down the line; but any further en- trenchment of aboriginal rights required the unanimous consent of the provinces and territories, which never took place. Vander Zalm’s proposal was designed to exclude us forever.” On pians to implement a iax on lands leased to non-Indians: “Most people don’t understand that we've always had the ability to tax under the Indian Act since 1951; we just never exercised that power. The legislation had to be cleaned up and made clearer, and that has been done. Now we have the ability to levy a tax on Indian reserve land. But the issue is, so does the province; so what we would end up with is a double tax. | believe the matter can be resolv- ed by direct discussions with the province. In other words, the pro- vince must leave the field so we Black/White Polished Brass Chrome *199 NORBURN Floor Lamps 72” Torchieres 300 & SOO Watt Halogen Bulb included Dimmer Contro! Switeh Living the good life. can tax non-Indian occupiers — mainly corporations. Vander Zalm has said, ‘I'm for Indian economic development.’ So here is a fundamental exercise in power that would lead to that; and yet, there’s been no clear commitment to resolve this matter by any form of discussion. We're working on a Squamish Indian tax- ing bylaw right now. We hope to have something in place by this summer or fall.” On plans to improve communica- tions with the public: “| believe in the Canadian people’s sense of justice. The problem we're having is trying to get the word out about haw we were violated. | believe that the great middle class of this country are saying, ‘we're sup- porting aboriginal people, but what do you want? What are you talking about?’ | don’t think we're getting our message out quickly enough. We have to develop a strategy to address that issue.” On relations with the provincial government: ‘‘They’ve been dismal since Confederation. That's attributable to their policy position as well as their legal position. They haven’t dealt with the first nations on a fair or equal basis... We've been through royal commissions, task forces, hearings and studies upon studies. The premier's claim that he’s dealing with aboriginal rights is ‘just another technique to Black/White 139 2 Pendant Black/White 50 Watt- Polished Brass Halogen $: Lamp included 269 LIGHTING centre make the public think we're deal- ing with our Indians — which | tind obnoxious. It's repugnant to me. We're not his Indians.” On education for natives: ‘‘The education system in this country has failed the Indian people. It’s an utter failure. Now there’s a move to improve the situation (with the Sullivan Report) but more work is needed.” His greatest achievements: The Capilano cut-off lands. We're talk- ing about 115 acres of prime real estate land. It’s a great achieve- ment to have it returned, especial- ly since that’s where | come from... My ancestors were almost on their deathbeds saying, ‘joe don’t you forget that that land down there is our land.’ Being in- volved with the creation of the First Natives Congress in B.C. was another achievement. It will keep nolitical figures and the public focused on the question of aboriginal rights. On what he does in his spare time: “| like to read. Hemm- ingway is my favorite author. | like Tai Chi, and recently I've been getting into Taoism. | find the universal principles of Taoism akin removed. 4600 EAST HASTINGS ST., BURNABY WHOLESALE AND RETAIL FREE CATALOGUES AVAILABLE Come browse in one of the most fascinating stores in B.C. 299-0666 = INFLUENCE photo Mike Wakefield SQUAMISH BAND Chief Joe Mathias; ‘‘This whole sense of great in- justice needs to be corrected.”’ to how Indians think in terms of how we view the universe and how we are connected with all animal and plant life. t also like to spend as much time as possible with my 17-year-old daughter.” THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER ILLEGAL SUITE ENFORCEMENT MORATORIUM On February 19, 1990 the City Council adopted a resolution deciaring a moratorium on enforcement action against illegal suites. City Council has decided to postpone enforcement action until the recently commissioned Community Consultation Survey on illegal Suites, being car- ried out by Sociai Planning and Research Council (S.P.A.R.C.) has been com- pleted and a decision is reached with respect to the appropriate policies re- quired to address the illegal suite issue. The City will continue to receive and record signed, written complaints regar- ding illegal suites but no further enforcement action will be taken throughout the duration ot the moratorium. In circumstances where health or safety infractions are noted in an illegal suite, either as a result of a valid complaint or as a result of a regular in- spection, then the moratorium does not apply to the extent that those health or safety infractions must be corrected. During the period of the moratorium the City will not permit the construction of ‘illegal’ suiies nor will it permit the re-establishment of suites previously A moratorium is not an indefinite suspension of enforcement actions. It is a temporary deferral of enforcement action until Council reviews the results of the Community Consultation Survey and decides whether it will re-affirm or change the present City policy with respect to illegal suites. Mayor J.E. Loucks on behali of North Vancouver City Council His secret ambition: to become a full-time student. ‘‘Joseph Campbell was courageous enough to do it. I'd like to go away for five years and read everything under the universe.”