MAILBOX

Columnists tell only one side of native issue

Dear Editor:

Re: Premier can win votes with public's disgust with Indians in Gary Bannermin’s column, Aug. 26.

This headline reeks of racism and hate mongering. Mr. Ban- nermam’s., and perhaps even the News’ insensitivity to the issues involved is appailing.

A second article ino the same issue “Abortion tide’ versus facts of life. by Noel Wright expresses the same opinion, that native In- dians* rights were extinguished.

They seeni unsure how the Native’. rights were extinguished, but Mr. Bannerman and Mr

Wright) are very vocal that thes Were, and allenapt to pertras the Qauives as ingrates tor daring te suggest otherwise.

Native Endians have attempted to correct such erroneous opinions fos atleast a hundred sears now, Without much success,

The Premier agreed to discuss the issue, but has not agreed that the nalises have rights thar were hot extinguished when the pro- vince was formed. The acknowledgement of these special rights are the whole cause of the problems that have arisen with remard to land claims,

The natives in’ Seton to be congratulated.

Lake Thes

are have

Share the land

Dear Editor:

EP followed the events at Oka and the protests and debates that followed across the land. Native land claims and aboriginal rights have finally become major issues that must be resolved.

Native Indians were here cen- turies before any other race arriv- ed on this continent and the In- dians therefore originally had the right to all the land. When the first Europeans arrived, the natives allowed then to settic on their lands, often without wars, fights or treaties.

Gradually the newcomers started to outnumber the natives and today we have @ multicultural society where the native popula- tion is a small minority.

During this process, have been generally second class citizens. therefore understand and frustration that

Hunter should

Dear Editor:

! challenge Bob Hunter to do two things.

First, to reveal the source of his ‘leaked’ information about the behavior of the ‘Van Doos’’ at Oka and Kahnawake.

the natives treated like One can the anger has recently

surfaced. and the determined fight the natives have started an their barricades and in the courtroams to regain their hinds, their dignity and their aboriginal cehts.

But one must question i the demands are reasonable and if they will benefit the Indian people in the long run. Many other coun- tries are today moving away from a segregated (apartheida society for the benefit of all their imhiab- itants.

Isn't there something wrong when owe almost unanimously condemn a sign in South Africa declaring a man-made swimming pool “For Whites Only" while we accept a sign on a wild river in Canada **For Indians Only"*?

We must integrate and share the land and the resources equally regardless who came first, second or third,

Matt Warden North Vancouver

reveal source

Secondly, to enter any mess of the 22nd) Regiment and repeat there to its menibers what he wrote about them in his column of Oct. 34.

Gerald Mason North Vancouver

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thes treed cenocide betore thes sizmed otteaties, Most bands in Bil hase not even been asked to Nepotiate Urealies,

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their claims Mio Bannerman’s view that the province would be given Co siting Indians piatter ois sheer nonsense. In Hght in It would be verso nane | Shore: News: provides a more public oof anyone te chink that all land balanced viewpoint on land supports the natives. whs basn’t would he returned to native In ckumes. Pm glad that the newspa- the Premier setup oa system to diansy if ftand claims were to be per was free: otherwise 1 would resalve land claims? Until natives settled. have cancelled my subscription for have such assurances, thes may Mr. Bannerman'’s lack ot such biased editorials, hase te continue to use all the ing for justice disturbs me. Walter Joseph means at their disposal te advance He admires the Us. North Vancouver

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If Nitro Bannerman is saying that the general

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