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Editor:
I would like to comment on the ongoing submissions to the editor and see if I can make sense of it all.
I have missed this week’s letters to the editor, dated Oct 28. I have not read the letter from Rick Klassen nor the previous letter from Lyle Middleton, however I have read the letter from Chief Fred Sam a few weeks ago and last week’s letters, dated Oct 21. I agree with Middleton that there are definite advantages to air public forums and disagree with Chief Fred Sam on his comment about the written word not being an effective way of communication.
The written word is needed for public and historical record. If it isn’t written down then how can we go back and review.
What’s the point of libraries and museums?
There is frustration brewing in the community, hard feelings are evident but also commonsense seems to be lacking somewhat. Through conversations with friends I am trying to piece together some of the real issues. I am under the understanding, correct me if I’m wrong, that McLeod Lake Band has co-signed in principle to Treaty 8, the co=signatory was around 1990. I believe at that time there was an agreement made on the area of their territory that does encompass Mt. Milligan in its entirety. From what I gather, what is recognized as Necoslie traditional territory bordering McLeod Lake territory only embraces part of the road leading to Mt. Milligan. Perhaps this is the Rainbow FSR?
Let’s go back a year ago or maybe it was more than that, I heard that members of Necoslie Band were staking claims to a traditional trap line in the vicinity of Mt. Milligan. I may be confusing this with issues that surrounded logging being done somewhere up the Carrier FSR? Not sure but I’m sure someone will set me straight. The Necoslie member that was behind all that came from the McLeod Lake band originally, marrying into the Necoslie family. Now does it not say somewhere,” For this reason (marriage), you will leave mother and father, brothers and sisters and be joined as one.” Maybe it was a family (clan) trap line but shouldn’t it belong to family (clan) members of McLeod Lake Band?
Now forgive me if I’m wrong, Terrane has been a fully permitted mine by the provincial and federal government since 2001 and has a permit from the provincial government in the more recent past. Terrane has done everything that was requested of them to do. They have gone back to the drawing table several times and have complied with every request made. They have a plan in place for reclamation, the only one of its kind in B.C. They have the approved EA. Still not enough? Perhaps this would be a good time to put the real issues on the table. Is it the money? Money alone will not make the future brighter. Concessions made for employment, housing, schools, training and tangible projects will help the nations succeed. This should be on the table. Have you (Necoslie) a negotiator? Or are the lawyers you’ve hired taking you to the cleaners on this one? Your money would be better spent on hiring a negotiator to settle this. I agree with Middleton who said something like, “ If you put the real issues on the table and let the community know, you’d be surprised at the support you would get”, paraphrased.
Now on a personal level, I have three boys, one of which could be employed by spring of 2010 during the construction phase at Mt. Milligan and two boys whom will be employable in the next few years. To have a job in their home town for 22 years, that would make Darryl 41 years old when Mt. Milligan is done. Riley and Dylan would be 37 years old. The experience and trades my sons would acquire during this time could open doors elsewhere or they might be able to retire and stay to raise their families in Fort St. James. I will be really choked if this mining company or any future mining in B.C. is kiboshed because of the hoops and loops with land claims and such becomes, “not worth the hassle.” I hear that we can give it a year and it’ll be all over, no mining in B.C. “The best place on earth”, now becomes “not worth the paper it is written on”. That’ll be a sad day, to say the least.
Now there is one more issue I would like to address, similar but not this issue. I have volunteered to work through the Regional District’s Fort St. James Community Plan. There are 14 volunteers who have signed up to be part of this process. 14 people who will have a say in what happens to the surrounding areas of Fort St. James. I think that’s not enough, do you? There is a way of putting in your say through a Survey on the website, www.rdbn.bc.ca Please make a point of going there and participate in the process. We will be reviewing each completed survey; so far we have only 16. The plan can be accessed at this website as well and you will find the information for every issue that will be addressed. Land use for residential, industrial, commercial, agriculture, parks and environmental impacts will all be addressed. Please take the time, be involved as we proactively make Fort St. James and surrounding areas a wonderful place for our families as well as a destination for future families and business.
Margo Sheehan (nee Maley)
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