Facebook Twitter Email
der=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%> Nisga'a Nation faces challenge
MAY 16, 2000

We intend to live here forever.

Its a strong statement made by Frank Calder, a Nisga'a elder who helped initiate the historic Nisga'a Nation treaty.

But another type of statement is also being made by would-be challengers to the newly reborn government of the Nisga'a.

After a two year wait, the British Columbia Liberal Party finally got their day in court on Monday, charging that the Nisga'a treaty is unconstitutional. The challenge comes just days after the Nation officially celebrated the initiation of their new government.

Nisga'a Nation President Joe Gosnell warns the challenge could bring about a major crisis for the already shaky treaty making process in the province. Several First Nations have recently expressed doubts and voiced complaints about the slow process.

Unlike other parts of Canada, the first Europeans to reach British Columbia never negotiated with the aboriginal population, leaving open many questions of land ownership and self-governance rights.

Treaties between the province and First Nations are intended to resolve these questions. And while the Nisga'a treaty has been noted as an exception to the current set of treaty negotiations, it is still seen as an important benchmark.

The legal and constitutional arguments before the British Columbia Supreme Court are expected to last two weeks.

Related Stories:
Treaty process in doubt (First Nations 5/15)
Nisga'a Nation reborn (First Nations 5/12)
Nisga'a government to be sworn in (First Nations 5/11)

Relevant Links:
The Nisga'a Nation: www.ntc.bc.ca