Resource kit of materials compiled by Project North (B.C.).
Includes annotated bibliography: 8 p.
Includes "Worship Resources": 12 p.
Includes "A New Covenant ... A Pastoral Statement by the Leaders of the Christian Churches on Aboriginal Rights and the Canadian Constitution" dated February 8, 1987.
Added title at bottom of cover: Nishga land is not for sale (Revised edition).
"Revised edition, April 1980". -- inside back cover.
Published by The Nishga Tribal Council, New Aiyansh, B.C. ... Produced by Hugh McCullum, Project North, 154 Glenrose Ave., Toronto, Ont. ... Printed by Charters Publishing Co., Ltd., Brampton, Ont. First Printing April, 1976. Second Printing June, 1977". -- inside back cover.
"Here is the story of a century-long struggle; a story of the patience, persistence and single mindedness of the people of the Naas. Here is the story of the land claim that binds them together as a people and that has called from them sacrifice and personal commitment seldom seen in the history of Canada. .... This book is clearly their book, and it is a privilege to be counted among them as an adopted son of these proud Indian people of the Naas" -- Intro.
Contents: Dedication "To Bill McKay ..." -- [Endorsements entitled] Citizens Plus -- Introduction dated April 1976 / Douglas Hambidge -- The Nishga Tribal Council -- The Leadership -- The History -- The Struggle -- 1973-1976 -- The Nishga Position -- 1976-1980 -- Nishga Education -- The Unity Totem -- The Forestry -- The Fishery -- The Future -- Nishga Declaration -- Support.
Introduction by Douglas Hambidge, Anglican Bishop of Caledonia.
a) reaffirm its recognition and support of the First Nations' struggle to obtain justice regarding land claims through negotiations;
b) reaffirm its commitment to support the process of negotiations with First Nations towards a just and timely resolution of outstanding land claims;
c) urge the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to bring forward proposals that will provide a land and resource base sufficient to assure self-determination for the Nisga'a people; and
d) request the Primate to make this position known to the respective governments.
The mover and the seconder agreed to amend the motion as follows:
1. by adding the words "and all other First Nations" at the end of c);
2. by adding a new section d) which reads:
"urge the Government of Canada to settle all outstanding native land claims in a just and expedient manner;"
3. relettering d) to e).
The amended motion now reads:
a) reaffirm its recognition and support of the First Nations' struggle to obtain justice regarding land claims through negotiations;
c) urge the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to bring forward proposals that will provide a land and resource base sufficient to assure self-determination for the Nisga'a people; and all other First Nations;
d) urge the Government of Canada to settle all outstanding native land claims in a just and expedient manner;
e) request the Primate to make this position known to the respective governments. CARRIED Act 91
The leader of the Anglican Church of Canada said today that the basic rights of Canada's native people cannot be rejected and ignored. Archbishop E.W. Scott spoke in reference to the current dispute involving land claims by British Columbia Indians.
"In the past, we've tended to push aside the legitimate claims of Canada's Indians," said Archbishop Scott.
He said that many past agreements between Indians and white men involved sovereign Indian nations. In many instances, the Indians had their own legal interpretations and cultural understanding which "the White Man's Law" doesn't take into account.
"We're elated that the prime minister has chosen to reverse his stand on aboriginal land claims," Archbishop Scott continued. "The dispute should be settled politically, now that it's been through the courts."
He said politics can take into account these cultural arguments which the law cannot.
The archbishop spoke yesterday at a Toronto meeting of the Church's Executive Council of the General Synod.
The Committee voted unanimously to continue its support of the Nishga Indians and expressed its hope that Canada will deal responsibly with their land claims.
In 1969 the Anglican Church of Canada donated $10,000 from the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund to help finance the Nishga's appeal to the Supreme Court.
"Published by Nisga'a Tribal Council, New Aiyansh, B.C. Cnada V0J 1A0. March 3, 1992. ... Editorial Committee: Nelson Leeson, Chief Alvin McKay, John A. MacKenzie, Rod Robinson, Alex Rose, Edmond Wright". -- back cover.
"Jim Skipp Design. Photography Gary Fiegehen. Printed on recycled paper by Bowne of Vancouver". -- back cover.
"For the Nisga'a People, this is a time of renewed hope. More than 100 years ago our forefathers travelled to Victoria to discuss the land question with then-premier William Smithe. That day, like so many others since, we were turned away from the steps of the Legislature. But finally, on December 10, 1991, the Nisga'a Tribal Council met with Premier Michael Harcourt and members of his cabinet to begin a new working process for resolving the longstanding claims of the province against our land and resources. We hope readers will gain insight into this important and unresolved issue. Knowledge and education are critical prerequisites for a just and honorable resolution of the land question". -- [Preface], p. [1].
Contents: [Preface] signed: Sim'oogit Daaxheet, Chief Alvin McKay -- Who We Are -- Did You Know -- Land and Water -- Traditional Territory [Map] -- [Photo Essay] -- The Struggle -- Definitions -- Chronology.
Text includes quotation on p. 2 signed "+Wii Ts'imilx [i.e. John Hannen], Bishop of Caledonia".
"Nishga Chief James Gosnell, who spent his life fighting for native rights, died here [in Prince Rupert, B.C.] in July [1988] after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 64." "In early 1973, when the Caledonia diocesan synod was held in the Nishga village of New Aiyansh, Chief Gosnell described his appreciation of Anglican Church financial help in taking the [land claims] battle to the Supreme Court. .... 'When the Nishga people continued to struggle for justice in our land, only the Anglican Church stood by us in our hour of need of need before the Dominion of Canada. As long as our river flows, regardless of whether we won or lose the case, this will be registered among the whole of the Nishga tribe'." "As well as being prominent in the land claims fight, Chief Gosnell was responsible for reviving a large part of the Nishga culture. Native songs and dances had been banned by the Anglican missionaries and after a lapse of 80 year they had been virtually forgotten by the Nishga. The few older natives would not perform the dances because of the church ban. However, Chief Gosnell and the Anglican priest at New Aiyansh, John Blyth, persuaded Chief Gosnell's parents that the church no longer considered such ceremonies as sacrilege. His father Eli, than 65, was authorized by the village to teach the songs and dances to the people. They were performed at the Caledonia synod in 1973 for the first time in 80 years".
TORONTO, July 18, 1995 -- The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada is urging Prime Minister Jean Chretien and British Columbia Premier Michael Harcourt to break the impasse in the Nisga'a Treaty negotiations.
"The time has come for the exercise of political will. Otherwise the negotiations will end up being held hostage to short-term political interests," said Archbishop Michael Peers.
"I call upon the Prime Minister and the Premier to become personally involved in this. They must not allow these talks to perish. We need our political leaders to exercise the statesmanship which they have previously demonstrated. We cannot allow First Nations to believe that, having negotiated in good faith, their treaties will be sacrificed to federal-provincial bickering."
Last week talks between the federal and provincial negotiators and the Nisga'a Tribal Council from north western British Columbia broke down when the two governments could not resolve a disagreement about a funding formula. The breakdown occurred on the very day that the British Columbia government had set as an extended deadline for all sides to announce the terms and progress of negotiations.
"The Nisga'a have conducted themselves at the bargaining table in a patient and responsible manner. It is not responsible for governments to walk away now because they cannot agree between themselves," said Archbishop Peers. "The time is now, for the sake of future generations, to say we can and will solve these differences. Otherwise it will seem desperate for many First Nations people, and they may very well come to believe once again that `justice delayed is justice denied It will be tragic if that becomes the only outcome of these negotiations."
The Anglican Church of Canada, at the meeting of 34th General Synod held in Ottawa in June, expressed its will about these negotiations in a resolution that urges both the government of Canada and British Columbia "to bring forward proposals that will provide a land and resource base sufficient to assure self determination for the Nisga'a people ... and to settle all outstanding native land claims in a just and expedient manner."
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Contact: Doug Tindal, Director of Communication 416-924-9199 ext. 286; 905-335-8349 (residence)
"This booklet was originally published by the Mennonite Central Committee B.C. as 'Why Treaties'. In this updated edition we have attempted to solicit original material from First Nations and their organizations to as great a degree as possible. .... We offer this resource to churches, educational institutions and other communities in the hope that they will find it useful for their own efforts". -- Intro.
"Funding for this booklet has been provided by ARC B.C. Members of Kairos [include]: Anglican Church of Canada .... Primate's World Relief and Development Fund." -- Intro., p. 4.
Contents: Table of Contents -- Introduction -- Reconciled Relationships / Terry Anderson --Chronology: Some Key Dates in the Struggle for Aboriginal Title and Rights in BC -- Why Treaties ? : Redistributing Opportunity -- BC Treaty Commission: The independent voice of treaty making in British Columbia -- First Nations That Have Not Entered the Treaty Process -- The Indian Act and Treaties Elsewhere -- A Nisga'a Perspective dated May 1, 2003 Updated August 19, 2003 / Edmond Wright, Secretary-Treasurer, Nisga'a Lisims Government -- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples -- Commonly Asked Questions -- Fundamental Principles -- Further Resources -- About the Cover Art / Wii Muk'Williswx (Art Wilson), Hereditary Chief of the Gitxsan people.
OTCH has copy of "first" edition published with title "Why treaties: a laymans guide to Aboriginal issues".
"The Aboriginal Neighbours program of the MCC B.C. (formerly Native Concerns) was initiate in 1988. .... It is our hope that this booklet will help explain the complex and rapidly changing aboriginal issues in the province of B.C. Much of this material has been drawn together from various sources. We trust it will be a useful resource as we struggle together towards a clearer vision of what it will mean to establish a more just relationship with our aboriginal neighbours". -- Into.
Contents: About the Cover Art / Wii Muk'Williswx (Art Wilson), Hereditary Chief of the Gitxsan people [inside front cover] -- Table of Contents -- Introduction -- Chronology -- The Treaty Making Process -- The Cost of Not Making Treaties -- The Courts and "Delgamuukw" -- First Nations Which Have Not Entered the Treaty Process -- The Nisga'a Treaty (a case study) -- Commonly Asked Questions -- Fundamental Principles -- Further Resources.
This title revised and enlarged, published under title "Reconciled relationships: why treaties matter" in 2003. OTCH has copy.