UVic experts available to discuss Nisga'a Treaty

The landmark Nisga'a treaty will have a significant impact on the province. Several UVic faculty members are willing to discuss the implications of this land claims settlement.

Prof. Hamar Foster (Law) is a supporter of the treaty process. A nationally-recognized expert on native land titles, he can provide a legal historical perspective to the Nisga'a agreement. Contact him at (250) 721-8152.

Dr. Frank Cassidy (Public Administration) fully supports the agreement as negotiated by the Nisga'a for their needs. He was an advisor to the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, one of two nations that put forward the Delgamuukw case, and is writing a book about that landmark case. Dr. Cassidy is currently on study leave but can be contacted through Patty Pitts, UVic Communications at (250) 721-7656.

Dr. Taiaiake Alfred (Public Administration) is against the treaty process. He doesn't believe the Nisga'a treaty goes far enough. A Mohawk from Québec who earned his PhD from Cornell, Dr. Alfred wrote a chapter on Mohawk self-government for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and contributed a chapter providing the Aboriginal youth perspective on all the issues that the Commission dealt with. Contact him at (250) 721-6440. Email: taiaiake@uvic.ca (His availability is contingent on the date of the actual treaty announcement.)

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