I was born on this land in the summer of 1952. My mother and father and their parents lived here before them.
I have fished the waters, hunted the forests and worked the land. I have existed as the people before me. I have breathed the air, drank the waters and survived the hardships of winters. When I die I shall return to the land as all others do. Either buried, cremated or consumed by a mighty river. I am a Canadian.
I have recently become alarmed over the land claims, issues that flood the newspapers, television and radio. I do have title to land in this country and it is not all that it seems. It appears having ownership of land qualifies me to pay the taxes to pay for roads, hospitals, education, government and welfare.
In my opinion we should give title of land to anyone who would want it, so they could share in the great tax burden created to provide the services we all enjoy whether we pay taxes or not.
A word of caution to my First Nation brothers. A time ago your forefathers were a sovereign people. Through time your people have slowly been drawn in to a system much like slavery, first by registration then by accepting payments. Soon you will be equal and none of us will have any rights.
Friend of all,
Fred Vos
Prince George
