Globe and MAil (JUSTINE HUNTER)
October 6, 2007
VICTORIA — For the second time in 110 years, a “stranger” has been asked to approach the brass bar of the B.C. legislative chamber to speak.
Kim Baird, the formidable chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation who took on a wide field of opponents to negotiate a historic treaty for her community, admitted yesterday she is anxious.“I’m extremely nervous, it’s quite an honour,” she said in an interview.
The proposed Tsawwassen treaty is the centrepiece of the legislative session that begins Oct. 15.
Ms. Baird has been invited to speak to the legislature on the opening day to defend the treaty, following in the footsteps of Chief Joseph Gosnell, the Nisga’a leader who achieved the only other modern-day treaty in British Columbia. Mr. Gosnell spoke at the bar of the legislature 10 years ago to open debate on the Nisga’a treaty.
“The treaty is symbolic of reconciliation, that will be a focal point of what I will discuss,” Ms. Baird said.
In order to approach the bar, MLAs must give unanimous consent to a motion to allow an unelected guest – otherwise known as a “stranger” – to address the legislature. Then the massive oak doors to the chamber would be opened, allowing her to step forward onto the red carpet to speak.
The treaty has been strongly supported by the Liberal government led by Premier Gordon Campbell, and is expected to pass. However, MLAs on both sides of the legislature have raised concerns.
The New Democratic Party opposition has suspended one MLA, Michael Sather, because he has vowed to vote against the treaty. Mr. Sather and at least two other New Democrats are opposed to the portion of the treaty that will remove farmland from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Ms. Baird is expected to address that criticism head-on in her address, noting that her tiny urban reserve is hemmed in on all sides by non-native development.
The $120-million treaty includes cash, a share of the salmon fishery and 724 hectares – some of it prime agricultural land expected to be converted for port-related development. The band has 372 members.
Ms. Baird said she intends to bring lots of supporters, including her two young daughters, when she comes to Victoria to speak. But she hopes her girls will not be forced to look at pictures of subjugated native women in the legislature along the way.
This week a controversy over historic murals was literally covered up when the province’s first aboriginal Lieutenant-Governor, Steven Point, was sworn in at the legislature.
Painted in the 1930s, the murals were intended to represent scenes from B.C. history. One shows bare-breasted native women hauling goods under the eyes of white overseers. Another mural shows a native chief, head bowed, before Colonial Chief Justice Matthew Begbie. The murals were hidden behind curtains for Mr. Point’s visit.
“I’m hoping to bring my young daughters, I don’t think they should ever see their ancestors represented in that way,” Ms. Baird said.
The curtains were removed once Mr. Point left the building and the murals are back on display.
