NISGA TREATY SIGNED

Applause to all the participants who, after great deliberation, obtained this "historical agreement."

CUPE was in favour of the agreement in principle to Nisga's treaty negotiations and have historically been supportive of a fair and honourable negotiation process for First Nations people. Truly inspired by Mike Harcourt's initiatives to address these shameless, long-standing injustices, and wanting them to be dealt with in a collaborative, expeditious manner.

Our motivation is to right the wrongs, but even those whose motivations are profit-based should recognized the economic stability (foreign and domestic) that settlements such as these shall bring. Not to mention the Federal dollars for a change making their way west to improve the infrastructure in these communities.

Our society is interdependent, a recognition that negotiating and building of coalitions with all our cultures rather than inflaming one another is not only vital to our success but imperative for our survival.

Choosing to take a risk, meet the challenge and work toward an amicable resolve, we owe the parties a debt of gratitude for their fortitude and courage.

This process is deserving of our continued support.

Marlene Crozier
President - VIDC