All quiet on the waterfront?

There hasn’t been much heard lately about the ongoing dispute over the lands in question regarding the current container port project. The issue which caused quite a buzz around town six to eight weeks ago seems to have been put on the back burner of late as the project begins its initial construction phase.

Last that we heard, court documents were being prepared and consultations were continuing. There was a bit of excitement added to the mix later on, when some rumors of a protest action by First Nations involving the cruise ship season debut made the rounds around Prince Rumor, rumors which eventually played out as a non event.

That however doesn’t mean that things aren’t going on behind the scenes, Rudy Kelly making a return to the local news business in the Look Inside paper, sheds some light on the current status of the debate and where the situation sits at this time.

COAST TSIMSHIAN SAY PORT TALKS HAVE HALTED
By Rudy Kelly
Look Inside Publications
May 31, 2006
Page 4

PRINCE RUPERT- The Coast Tsmishian are calling the federal government’s response on the Prince Rupert port project issue insulting, saying they have been offered next to nothing.

Representatives of the two First Nations, Lax Kw’Alaams and Metlakatla, informed their membership of developments at a recent meeting in Rupert. They distributed a document that outlined their efforts to reach an accommodation package with the government on the container port project, noting two offers presented.

The government has offered $3 million for business development and $4 million for training to all First Nations, but said it will only consult on the infringement of one acre of land. In their information document, the Coast Tsmishian call both offers “ridiculous.”

“We haven’t had any talks in four to six weeks, said Metlakatla Chief Councilor Harold Leighton.

“We would like to sit down and negotiate and get some issues resolved, but they seem to feel they have already consulted and accommodated enough.”

The government deems its monetary offer, totaling $7 million, “over-generous,” said Leighton, but he said it wasn’t so much the dollar amount that was insulting as it was that the offer was being made to all First Nations.

Why, the First Nations wonder is the government speaking of all First Nations when the claim is specific to the Coast Tsmishian, who claim aboriginal title to the territory? The Coast Tsmishian also scoffed at the suggestion that only one acre of land be included in negotiations, as they feel they hold rights and title to the whole harbour area.

The First Nations say they had three meetings with Western Economic Diversification, which is funding part of the port project, but Transport Canada stepped in and halted the talks. There was also talk of bringing in a mediator but nothing came of it.

“Unfortunately, the Haida case (2004 Supreme Court ruling) didn’t really define ‘accommodation.” “It’s still a bit of a grey area,” said Leighton.

The First Nations added that they have repeatedly asked for a meeting with one of the Ministers responsible for the project, David Emerson, but he has refused to meet with them.

There had been rumors circulating that the First Nations would be blockading cruise ships in Prince Rupert harbour to get the government’s attention, but the first one arrived May 17 without incident. The Tsmishian have held meetings to discuss other options, but no alternate plans have been finalized.

Phone calls to Emerson, the Minister for International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, and Carol Skelton, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, were not returned by press time.