This in response to Tom FletcherB次元官网网址檚 column (, B.C. Views, Dec. 3) and a recent letter to the editor from Ron Johnson ().

First, the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation is not a B次元官网网址減arallel state.B次元官网网址� As a result of our treaty, we are very much a part of Canada, a fact about which many NisgaB次元官网网址檃 citizens are extremely proud. In the manner set out in the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Treaty, federal and provincial laws apply to NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to NisgaB次元官网网址檃 government, NisgaB次元官网网址檃 citizens pay taxes, and NisgaB次元官网网址檃 citizens continue to be entitled to all the rights and benefits of other Canadian citizens.

If anything, our treaty removed the barriers of the Indian Act that obstructed our full participation in Canadian society. We take exception to being separated in any way from Canada.

Second, JohnsonB次元官网网址檚 comment that NisgaB次元官网网址檃 citizens have become a B次元官网网址渓anded gentryB次元官网网址� is a completely inaccurate portrayal of the state of NisgaB次元官网网址檃 society. It suggests that through the recognition of our aboriginal title under the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Treaty, NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation has somehow magically transformed its economic conditions to that of a 19th century aristocrat living off rents.

In fact we were not allowed to participate in the industrial revolution, and we need to catch up to the rest of Canada. As tax-paying Canadians, we at still have to earn our daily bread, attract investment to our area and carefully plan and build for the future, just like everyone else in Canada.

This is why we support the development of the liquefied natural gas industry in B.C., are seeking to attract investment, and possibly operate an LNG facility on NisgaB次元官网网址檃 lands. As we have indicated to the government of B.C. at recent joint press conferences, our efforts at NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation provide LNG proponents project certainty to support the establishment of the LNG industry in B.C. generally.

NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation strives for sustainable prosperity and self-reliance. We appreciate how Fletcher has kept an open mind to allow his views on the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Treaty to evolve. We are optimistic that eventually more people will understand that we want what all citizens of B.C. want B次元官网网址� an improved quality of life.

H. Mitchell Stevens

President, NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Lisims Government

New Aiyansh