Tsimshian open door to oil talks By JEFF NAGEL THE TSIMSHIAN are signalling they may be prepared to negotiate a deal with the province that opens the way for offshore oil and gas exploration. That indication, from Tsimshian chief nego- .. lator Gerald Wesley, is the first tentative sign aboriginal: groups might, under the right cir cumstances, move from their official positions of near-total opposition to drilling. It comes as the province names a scientific panel and plans public meetings over the next ' couple of months in advance of a decision by Jan.31 on whether B.C. should lift its mora- torlum.” Wesley told The Standard a discussion with Victoria about giving Tsimshian support for drilling in exchange for a share of economic benefits — such as jobs and revenue-sharing - could not take place until environmental is- sues are-first resolved, “Don’t lift the moratorium until there's ab- solute certainty that environmental and social implications are considered,” Wesley said. . But, if environmental concerns can be ad- dressed, he suggested a revenue-sharing agree- ment could be struck as a side deal without waiting for a final treaty to settle oil and gas jurisdiction. “That could be a viable option,” Wesley: said. “On the short term there might be some room for movement between First Nations, government and developers as long as there's recognition of who we are and what kind of benefits could accrue.” But he said he’s disappointed that the pro- vince so far seems unwilling to discuss off- shore oil and gas revenue with native groups. He said offshore ail and gas is one of the is- sues Victoria has ordered negotiators not to discuss in treaty talks, effectively striking that topic from negotiations. “B.C, does not want to talk to us as First Nations as far as us being economic partici- pants in oil and gas developments,” Wesley intepreted. . “It's going to be very difficult for them to gain support if they don’t open that door up,” he said, Aboriginal communities fear the province might try to lift its moratorium without ad- dressing native claims to the seabed. In aboriginal eyes, that sets up the possibil- ity of the worst of both worlds — risk to the en- vironment plus denial of jobs and drilling revenue’ to native villages,. branch to Victoria, opi- nions are divided among aboriginal people over how to proceed. The official Tsimshian position remains to ex- press concern over the idea of lifting the mora- torium. . That stance will remain, he predicted, “until we have some good meaningful discussion in a fashion that’s going to be reassuring to us.” Wesley acknowledges Tsimshian opinions vary. “There are some of our people who are in- herently concerned that the environment can be irreparably damaged very easily,” he said. “It scares the dickens out of us.” He said that portion of the Tsimshian popu- lation in effect says “no, period” to tapping offshore oil, “Others are saying maybe we shouldn't be so hard,” Wesley said, adding they could say no subject to various conditions. “Fhat’s the perspective I come from, make ih Gerald Wesley Locals join marine Despite Wesley's. olive. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - AS THE HIBERNIA oil platform off the coast of Newfoundland is held out as an example of (he kind of industry that could come to B.C. waters if the moratorium is lifted. Politics of a } Bal } = A battle for hearts and minds is coming to coastal towns, native villages and the House of Commons. + + First of a two-part special report on offshore oil sure we're as fully informed as possible, mea- sure the potential benefits, then weigh them off and say what’s our position? Can we find a balance here in any way?” The debate in aboriginal communities is likely to grow, particularly once provincial public forums get underway next month lead- um" potter “ : sal “T suspect the other nations are going through similar turmoil that we are’ going through,” Wesley said, “We recognize that we've pot so many bloody problems in cur economic world right now, as First Nations maybe talks with Victoria. “We haven't totally ruled anything out,” he said. “If we considered it was clean and it was safe then we'd be prepared to look at it.” But he said the Haida have not discussed the idea and so far see little to ease deep con- ! S cerns about the threat to the environment due Ing up-to:an expected: decision: by. Victotia’ be- |!’ - Fore the end of Yanuary: on lifting its moratori-’ - to oil spills and other industry hazards. ago,” Guujaaw said. He said the idea of an offshore oil industry is hugely over-hyped and holds out false hopes of a great economic boom for the people of the north coast. “They're getting desperate because the tim- we've pot to be prepared 10 bend a little.” If discussions with the province are to take place, Wesley said, native groups need to be empowered ~ with money — to get the ber industry is falling apart and the fishing industry has “The Haida people pretty much fallen apart,” probably have more he said. friends in the oil industry than Andy Burton does.” Guujaaw also says the Haida might be able to per- suade companies ta stay answers they'd need. “It's not good enough to have a box of stuff sent to me,” he said. “Or to be told to go find it at the library.” The Tsimshian and the Haida claim all the seabed and its resources in Hecate Strait be- tween the north coast and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Council of the Haida Nation president Guu- jaaw so far maintains strong opposition to ex- ploration on environmental grounds, and gives little indication the Haida would entertain away even if the moratori- um is lifted, “| would venture to say the Haida people probably have more friends in the oil industry than Andy Burton does,” he said, referring to Skeena’s MP who has lobbied to lift the mora- torium. Drilling without Haida agreement is a sce- nario that “could get kinda messy”, he said, predicting it won’t happen. “We've made connections there,” he said. “The oil industry is interested in pood relations with us.” : park fight “It's not any safer than it was [5 years: CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag opinion Dear Sir: In regards to my letter, which was placed in the October 10 issue, I would: like to officially state that the comments made were my own personal opinion and was nol in any way the opinion. of Personal the District Parent Advisory Council {DPAC), I was not intending to have my pasition as. the acting DPAC President made a part of my letter and | repret any reference to DPAC that was made. Mary-Ann Freeman, Mary Ann Acting DPAC President, Freeman Terrace, B.C. Hated that headline Dear Sir: Regarding your Sept. 19 front page headline, “Vultures’” descend on Skeena.” I can only say that a headline like that is not inviting to a company that may be able ta purchase an asset in our community and put our citizens back to work. When a company, such as Mercer International, looks at investing their money in our community it is nol a positive action to call them vultures. An open mind and a positive attitude is needed as SCI is a major source of economic health in our northwestern communilies. We want our contractors to be paid and our citizens back at work. This company's track record is ’ strong and if they can purchase SCI and put stability back into our forest based economy |! am for that. 1 have lived here for the past 26 years, raised my family here and would like other families to have the . same opportunities to live and grow in a healthy community. My hope is Mercer will look past this initial rejection and continue to pursue ways ta rescue SC] employees and contractors from the collapse of the company. Richard McDaniel, Terrace, B.C. Loved that photo Dear Sir: I'm nol one to protrude my sarcastic insights but dang, I guess I am. Perhaps [ was the only person in Terrace who, while reviewing the local printed gossip whilst seated upon my throne; had a vision of the, front page.of the Oct, 10 issue of The Terrace Standard. — '' There’ was the ‘headline, “Former Repap’ ‘bosses surface.” And below the text, a picture of twa porcine beauties at the proverbial trough. Subtext — it's a pig's life. - I laughed until it hurt. I can only be thankful that - they were not purple pigs because I would have been in intensive care by now if they were, Chris Spangl, Terrace, B.C. Fisheries Renewal loss will be felt in this area Dear Sir: On Oct. 18, local fisheries community groups, ” arganizations and volunteers received somber news of . restoration and enhancement projects, the Liberal government’s decision to disband Fisheries Renewal BC. Funding from FsRBC has provided the much- needed financial support for community groups in the region — and throughout B.C. -— ta undertake stream gather important data, and lo promote awareness of the value and importance of our salmon and fisheries resource. The loss of FsRBC is very discouraging ‘considering the successes and overwhelming appreciation and support it has received from across the province. Since 1998, 45 different organizations and individuals in the Terrace region have benefited from over $1.1 million in project funding from FsRBC. This project funding has been utilized with unmatched resourcefulness, For every $100 spent on restoration and enhancement efforts in the region by FsRBC, community groups and organizations have contributed an average of $23 worth of labour, materials and services — $74,000 worth of in-kind contributions in 2001 alone. When one takes into account the. value of the ‘community-driven project selection process, the Fisheries Survival Coali- by teleconference. ' NEXT WEEK: Fear and greed We explore how emotions and percep- tions mesh with the facts and technical realities behind offshore oil exploration, By JENNIFER LANG Burton said two poten- SKEENA MP Andy Burton tial witnesses from Terrace says it could be the big- - chamber of commerce gest hurdle in terms of oil president Betty Barton and | *" A .. . N and gas exploration off past president Justin Rigs- R B,C.’s coast. by — were not invited to Ww E It's Bill C-10, federal speak to the commitlee. legislation that will lead to “Obviously, I'm disap- s the creation of national pointed,” Burton said from |, : marine protected areas. the nation's capital Friday. aan _ Burton, a leading oppo- Earlier that day, he told Matta ewan: nent against the bill, says the government he hopes _ ae Chaphaese Lota Bill C-10 has the potential io make changes to the to limit off-shore oil and bill before it passes into ’ gas exploration — even if law. wa the province decides to lift Specifically, he wants : its moratorium. Andy Burton the. clause prohibiting dril- Parliamentary standing ling and the extraction of © committee hearings on the tion — have been allowed- resources from the seabed . bill resumed yesterday in to Speak 10 the commitice in a marine conservation Cedi tinaes Ottawa. in person. atea removed entirely. ye Burton managed to get The rest — including Ki- “This bill has the po- [ak 10 northwest opponents of timat-Stikine Regional tential to seriously hamper Nevoadl Trek Petjecve the bill on the witness list, District chair Joanne Mon- offshore oil and gas ex- "Anda dentagé tate but just four — oif and gas aghan, Skeena-Queen ploration on the west Meet ort vena advocate Dave McGuigan, Charlotte Regional District coast, a resource an ailing | Kitimat mayor Rick Woz- chair Ed Wampler, Telkwa British Columbia economy |" ney, Port Clements mayor mayor Sharon Cartwell badly needs to build its. iw Joan Anne Allen, anda-re- and others — will address future,” Burton told the | ‘_—_——#<2—2----= ™ presentative from the B.C. the committee this-week House of Commons. ba Liste sit Gwaii Haanas on South Moresby in the Queen Charlotte Islands ~ already a national park - is an im- mediate candidate for be- coming a marine conser- vation area once the bill becomes law. GWAIL HAANAS national park reserve is expected to be one of the first marine conservation areas. “We don’t know if it’s one hectare or 100,000 hectares,” Burton said. ‘Meanwhile, he’s: con- vinced the federal govern- ment is determined to push the bill through. ‘The bill is tentatively scheduled to return to the house for approval Nov, 5, gathering momentum of fisheries stewardship initiatives and the partnerships that have formed to undertake this vital work, the decision to shut down ~FsRBC will be felt throughout our communily. The Northwest Stewardship Society ~ the regional administrative proponent of the Salmonid Renewal Program — is proud of the 60 projects that have been competed or are underway in the northwest and of the hard work and dedication of so many volunteers and organizations. We hope that our newest government will soon realize the far-reaching merit and worth of providing project funding to communily groups and the importance of continuing fisheries renewal efforts in our watersheds. Rob Diermair, Watershed Stewardship Coordinator, Northwest Stewardship Socicty, Terrace, B.C, About the Mail Bag The Terrace Standard welcomes letters, Our address Is 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C. V8G 5RA2. You can fax us at 250-638-8432 or e-mail us at standard@kermode.net, No attachments, pleasa, We need your name, address and phone number for verification. Our deadiine Is noon Friday or noon Thursday if it’s a long weekend.