To the Editor,
Re: Maa-nulth Treaty signing
April Fool’s day was such a fitting day to celebrate the signing away of more rights.
As the song says, “Oz never did give nothing to the Tinman that he didn’t didn’t already have.”
I attended the official signing, and I could not bring myself to applaud. As part of this Ma-Nulth Accord, Tseshaht are losing ground, literally. Previously occupied and still used territory are being taken away.
I am not an expert on the treaty process. And, apparently neither are the leaders that negotiated this deal.
Someone gets a lifetime of pop, some get their empties and some are left holding an empty bag.
Someday I can bring my grandchildren to the top of Mount Arrowsmith and tell them “Someday, none of this will be yours.”
The Tseshaht diaspora continues.
Val Gomez,
Port Alberni