Editor :
Re: Hereditary Chiefs lose court argument, Three Rivers Report, Aug. 3.
The Gitksan hereditary chiefs along with Gitanmaax, Glen Vowell, Kispiox and Gitwangak Indian Bands and Gitksan Local Services Society are still in the discovery stages, so it is premature to state the case is lost in a decision in the Supreme Court and then goes on to say “lost against the B.C. treaty commission.”
The hereditary chiefs and the band offices as well and the local services society are not a minority group. The hereditary chiefs and band members mentioned above have every right under the laws of Canada as a First Nation to have the Commission that is funded by the federal government by acting to protect the interests of the people, whether they are a minority or individuals.
Where is the impartiality and arms length body by the Commission when they are opting out of the court case at this time?
Does the Society that is now being questioned in court to claim to represent all Gitksan people have the proper mandate?
The Gitksan peoples’ lives and future are at stake on this whole issue. We cannot be used as a chopping block.
You really should have known.
Mary Dalen
Cedarvale