WESTBANK MOVE UNFORTUNATE BUT UNDERSTANDABLE

A decision by the Westbank First Nation to exercise its Aboriginal rights to log Crown lands without provincial approval is an understandable reaction to lagging treaty talks, but is not an appropriate action to advance Aboriginal rights says Dr. Taiaiake Alfred, director of indigenous governance programs. "Commercial logging and other forms of resource exploitation go against basic principles in Native culture. I don't see how you can justify or advance a traditional right using mainstream means," says Alfred, who favours an approach to Native government that reflects the values of Aboriginal cultures, not colonial ones. However, he describes the Westbank as a "fair, mainstream" band and says their action indicates the level of frustration among bands with the negotiation process. "They're trying to force the issue to get the provincial and federal governments to get serious at the treaty table, but I'm not optimistic that will happen." [PP]

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