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Alternative Governance Principles

March28-001The Gitxsan governance system is taught continually from birth. Every child learns about their responsibilities to themselves, to family and to community. At a certain age, Gitxsan children are expected to exercise free will and they are given the opportunity to assume more responsibility. As they advance in the Gitxsan governance system, they learn to place their personal interests behind those of the community.

Read the Alternative Governance Model Document. 
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 The basic tenets of the Alternative Governance Model:

 

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Uniqueness

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21 March 2010
Posted in Self Determination - Alternative Governance Principles

princeUniqueRatification requires explicit recognition that the concept of "Bands" and "Gitxsan" are not identical.

Ratification, properly done, may pose some complexities, and will require explicit recognition by both the federal and provincial governments that the eight local "Bands" and the concept of "Gitxsan" are not identical ideas. 

Some members of these Bands are non-Gitxsan. As well, some reserve residents are non-Indian.

Since ratification of a settlement should be done by the Gitxsan alone, as we are the title holders (as recognized in Delgamuukw) to the territories in question, and because the settlement will apply to us alone, some provision will be required for the non-Gitxsan currently under the authority of Band governments.

As the architect of the current Band structure, we feel it is appropriate that this be the responsibility of the federal government.

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Land and Economic Development

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21 March 2010
Posted in Self Determination - Alternative Governance Principles

princeLandThe Gitxsan are not interested in negotiating for "treaty settlement lands."

Rather, we wish to maintain a relationship with the entire 33,000 sq. km of traditional territory. The economic value of our collective inherited interest (which is neither "fee simple" nor sovereign, but is real, court-ordered and subject to definition) is to be realized through the process of "accommodation" articulated by the Supreme Court of Canada (Delgamuukw).

In practical terms this will be executed through a combination of agreements, including but not limited to, Gitxsan investment, arrangements with external investors, and revenue sharing agreements with governments, particularly with the provincial government in the case of natural resources.

We take encouragement from the fact that we already have several working models in place, which are the result of "accommodation": The STFA (forests), the Carbon Credits plan and the GWA (watersheds). These initiatives encompass the whole of our traditional territory, currently employ Gitxsan people, and continue to operate in a responsible fashion, generating revenue for the Gitxsan.

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Parallel Society and Indian Status

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21 March 2010
Posted in Self Determination - Alternative Governance Principles

princeStatusThe Gitxsan are not interested in the “parallel society” concept at the heart of the standard treaty model.

 Instead, our preference is that the full range of governmental services be delivered to us by the provincial government (some federal) as is the case in most other places in Canada. The funds currently sent by Ottawa to various Band offices (Indian Act) have been proven to be inadequate to fund a “parallel society” and all the services that entails. We believe those funds would be better sent instead to the provincial government to help fund services to our communities and to help guarantee an adequate delivery standard.

We believe the laws and services currently provided by Indian Act Councils can be better and more efficiently provided by provincial and federal entities, as they are for all other British Columbians. We expect a voice in the mode of delivery to the Gitxsan, but we accept the management and infrastructure in place.

Any agreement must, of course, end the application of the Indian Act, including the Band governance structure imposed under law. “The Gitxsan are yet to accept band councils and reserves…” (April Response for Clarification)

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Taxes

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21 March 2010
Posted in Self Determination - Alternative Governance Principles

princetaxesThe Gitxsan are prepared to pay income and sales taxes just as other Canadians. The fact is, Gitxsan already pay the same taxes that "non-Indian" citizens pay.

We pay taxes to three levels of Government. We pay taxes through Gitxsan feasts into our community. We pay all federal taxes. We pay most provincial taxes as most of the commercial arrangements we have are in towns like Hazelton, Smithers and Terrace. 

We pay taxes every time we purchase goods and services at grocery stores, gas pumps and restaurants outside the reservation. The province of British Columbia uses these tax revenues to fund government programs, health care, education, housing, welfare and other social programs. And although we pay the same taxes as "non-Indians," we receive 35% less of these services. The tax exemption on reserves actually places registered Indians at a disadvantage as it provides a justification for reduced "on-reserve" wages, and many businesses merely inflate their prices to compensate for the exemption. Furthermore, it is this tax exemption status that legally entitles the province to reduce such things as health and education services to Indians by 35%.

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