Thursday 6 August 2020

HEREDITARY CHIEF AND SPIRITUAL PEOPLE OF THE GRASS ROOT PEOPLE

[ The  settlers ]  have  knocked  down... the  posts  of  all  the  Indian  tribes.  They   say  there are  no  Iines,  except  what  they  make.  They  have  taken  possession  of  all  the  Indian
country  and  claim  it  as  their  own...  They  have  stolen  our  lands  and  everything  on
them...

After  a  time  when  they  saw  that  our  patience  might  get  exhausted  and  that  we  might cause  trouble  if  we  thought  all  the  land  was  to  be  occupied  by  whites  they  set  aside
many  small  reservations  for  us  here  and  there  over  the  country.  This  was  their  proposal not  ours, and  we  never  accepted  these  reservations  as  settlement  for  anything, nor  did we  sign  any  papers  or  make  any  treaties...  They  thought  we  would  be  satisfied  with this, but  we  never  have  been  satisfied  and  never  will  be  until  we  get  our  rights.

Bitter  insult, the  Interior  Chiefs  told  Laurier,  was  added  to  injury  when  the  settlers  not only  invaded  our  territory, but  also  began  to  treat  us  as  trespassers  and  bar  us  from
the  lands  that  had  been  ours  since  time  immemorial.

Gradually. The   as  the  whites... became  more  and  more  powerful,  and  we  less  and  less powerful, they  little  by  little  changed  their  policy  towards  us, and  commenced  to  put restrictions  on  us... They  treat  us  subjects  without  any  agreement  to  that  effect, an force  their  laws  on  us  without  our  consent  and  irrespective  of  whether  they  are  good for  us  or  not...d

In  many  places  we  are  debarred  form  camping, traveling, gathering  roots  and  obtaining wood  and  water  as  heretofore. Our  people  are  fined  and  imprisoned  for  breaking  the game  and  fish  laws  and  using  the  same  game  and  fish  which  we  were  told  would always  be  ours  for  food . Gradually  we  are  becoming  regarded  as trespassers  over a  large  portion  of  this  our  country.

The  Government  believes  that  full  ownership  implies many  things. It  carries  with  it  the free  choice  of  use, of  retention  or  of  disposition. In our  society  it  also  carries  with  it an  obligation  to  pay  for  certain  services. The  Government  recognizes  that  it  many  not be  acceptable  to  pull  all  lands  into  the  provincial  systems  immediately  and  make  them subject  to  taxes. When  the  Indian  people  see  that  only  way  they  can  own  and  fully control  land  is  to accept  taxation  the  way  other  Canadians  do, they  will  make  the decision.

The  fact  that  these  measures  would  not  only  contravene  but  also  render  inoperative the  treaties  was  immediately  recognized  by  the  Chiefs. "It  is  inconceivable, "he  said,
"that  in  a  given  society. We  must  be  all  equal  under  the  laws  and  we  must  not treaties  amongst ourselves,"Furthermore,"we  can't  recognize  aboriginal  rights  no  society can  be  built  on  historical  might  have  been."

Under  the  modified  right  model, aboriginal  rights  are  not  released, but  are  modified into  the  rights  articulated  and  defined  in  the  treaty. Under  the  non-assertion  model,
Aboriginal  rights  are  not  released, and  the  Aboriginal  group  agrees  to  exercise  only those  rights  articulated  and  defined  in  the  treaty  and  to  assert  no  other  Aboriginal
rights.

The  inherent  right  of  Aboriginal  set-government  is  recognized  and  affirmed  in  section 35 of  the  Constitution Act, 1982, as  an  Aboriginal  and  treaty-protected  right. The  inherent right  is  thus  entrenched  in  Canadian  construction, providing  a  basis  for  Aboriginal government  to  function  as  one  of  three  distinct  orders  of  government  in  Canadian.

You  only  have  to  look  at  the  recent  glum  twentieth  anniversary  of  the  B.C. Treaty Process  to  see  how  the  government  offensive, with  its  suite  of  legislation  and  aggressive "results  based" negotiations, has  the  air  of  a  desperate. gamble  to  regain  traction  in pointlessly  spinning  negotiations.

Commitment  to  an  immediate  high  level  working  process  with  Treaty  Nation leadership  for  establishing  frameworks  with  necessary  mandates  for  the  implementation and  enforcement  of  Treaties  on  a  Treaty  by  Treaty  basis, between  the  Treaty  parties Nation-to-Nation.

It then addressed  the  Title  and  treaty  rights  threatened  under  the  Chrétien  proposand  summed  up  the  overall  effect: "We  would  be  left  with  no  land  and  consequently
the  future  generation  would  be  condemned  to  the  despair  and  ugly  spectre  of  urban poverty  in  ghettos."

The  White  Paper  livers  on in  the  termination  treaty  process  of  the  past  twenty  years.   
                                                                                                                                       It  is  in  the  push  for  taxing  reserves.

At  first  they  looked  only  for  gold. We  knew  the  latter  was  our  property,  but  as  we did  not  use  it  much  not  need  it  to  live  by  we  did  not  object  to  their  searching  for it. They  told  us, " Your  country  is  rich  and  you  will  be  made  wealthy  by  our  coming.

We  wish  just  to  pass  over  your  lands  in  quest  of  gold."
 Soon  they  saw  the  country  was  good  and  some  of  them  made  up  their  minds, to  settler  it.  They  commenced  to  take  up  pieces  of  land  here  and  there. They  told
us  of  these  pieces  of  land  for  a  few  years, and  then  would  give  us  some  of  the  products  they  raised  for  the  loan  of  our  land.
 
Thus  they  commenced  to  enter  our  " house." or  live  on  our  "ranches." With   us  when  a  person  enter  our  house  he  becomes  our  guest,  and  we  must  treat  him hospitable  as  long  as  he  shows  no  hostile  intentions. At  the  same  time  we  expect him  to  return  to  us  equal  treatment  for  what  he  receives.

The  White  Paper's  attack  on  our  lands  and  on  our  every  essence  as  Indigenous peoples  galvanized  the  newly  formed  National  Indian  Brotherhood. He  and  his 
fellow  leaders  organized  mass  meetings  across  the  country  to  send  Ottawa  the message  that  the  White  Paper  would  never  be  accepted.

He  and  his  fellow  leaders  organized  mass  meetings  across  the  country  to  Ottawa the  message  that  the  White  Paper  would  never  be accepted. Its  mission, after  all, was  the  same  as  Duncan  Campbell  Scott's  stated  goal  in  the  1920s: solving  the
Indian  problem  by  ensuring  that  every  individual  in  that  " weird  and  waning  race " would  disappear  into  the  Canadian  body  politic. Unfortunately, these  goals  and  most of  the  specific  policies  of  the  White  Paper  have  remained  constant  in  Canadian  Indian  policy  ever  since.

They  proposed  that  our  land, after  some  " intermediate  states,"be  reduced  to "fee  simple" ownership. That  is  to say, to  turn  our  homelands  into  real  estate  that is  bought  and  sold  on b the  open  market  with property  tax  collected  by  the  province
as  with  all  other  mortgage  lots. Aboriginal  title  lands  would  be  struck  out  of existence  and  reserve  lands  would  cease  to  exist  under  the  fee simple  arrangement.

As  the White  Paper  put  it:

The  White  Paper  was  not  only  frighteningly  bad  policy, the  Red  Paper  continued, it was  a  profound  insult  to  all  of  the  Indian  people  who  took  part  in  the  consultations that  preceded  it. On  the  land  question, the  Red  Paper  flatly  rejected  the  fee  simple arrangement.

The  government  wrongly  thinks  that  the  Crown  owns  reserve  lands.

The  Crown  merely  " holds" such  Iands  they  belong  to  Aboriginals.

The  government  also  thinks  that  Aboriginals  only  can own land in the Old World, European sense of land ownership.Aboriginal people should be allowed to control land in a way that respects both their historical and legal rights.

All contain essential ingredients of the White Paper: extinguishing our title to our lands, rendering our treaties obsolete, and ending our existence as sovereign people.

In band council offices today, you find the same lethargy that you find at Department of Indian Affairs headquarter, as the Indian bureaucrats administer the same program by the same Department of Indian Affairs guideline as the non- Indigenous official one did.Our band council office have become perfect little Department of Indian Affairs brand offices and leadership, too often, serve as junior
government  officials.

                                                                                            2.

In the " equality" provisions of the charter of rights, the federal government would have tools to undermine our nations by stripping away Aboriginal rights that were not the same as those as other Canadians enjoyed. At the same time, patriation  presented us
with an opportunity to correct the exclusion of our rights from the 1867 BNA Constitution ACT, which had given all power over our lives and our lands to the federal government. The protection of our Aboriginal and treaty rights in the new 1867 BNA constitution was a question of our very survival.

The result was that Section 91(24) of the BNA  Act, which gave the federal government sole responsibility over " Indians, and Lands reserved for the Indians," would now be.

framed by Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982:" The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed,"

In the BNA  Act, only two entities were recognized in the Constitution- the federal government in the list of Section 91 powers and the provinces in the of Section 92 powers.

These seventeen words in Section 35 announced a new entity in Canadian power structure:

Aboriginal peoples, whose own constitutionally recognized rights would be " recognized and affirmed, "

What moved the government and the people of Canada was the passion and of our people unified at the grassroots level, demanding justice for themselves and their children.

The Expess turned the patriation from a serious threat to an important gain for us that we continue to build on into the future.

The government waited five years to reply to the UN :

Under the modified rights model, aboriginal rights are not released, but are modified into the rights articulated and defined in the treaty. 

Under the non-assertion model, Aboriginal
rights are not released, and the Aboriginal group agrees to exercise only those rights articulated and defined in the treaty and to assert no other Aboriginal rights.

We will look more closely at the disastrous consequences of the B.C. Treaty Process in chapter 15. As these land and treaty issue arose in early 1990s, it wasn't s already clear that  they touched the core of my people's interests and long- term survival.

The UN has explicitly recognized that in its essence." extinguishment " contravenes international law and " the absolute prohibition against racial discrimination ." As the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples observed in 2010: No other peoples
in the world are pressured to have their rights extinguished."

Some might argue that all people have the right to do whatever deal they want, including to extinguish their sovereign rights. The problem is that the birthrights  they are selling are not theirs alone, they are those of their children and grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. And those we do not have the right to sell.


This sleight of hand has fooled no one. Even form afar, it is obvious what has been going on. As the Department of Indian Affairs itself admitted, UN bodies saw that replacing "extinguishment" by" certainty" was meaningless:

... the UN Human Rights Committee called on Canada to ensure that alternatives to extinguishment in modern treaties do not, in practice, extinguishment  Aboriginal rights.

Similarly, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed concern that the new approaches " do not differ much form the extinguishment and surrender Approach," and urged a re- examination of governmental policies and practice ensure
they do not result in extinguishment.


                                                            (  3
                                                                        

                                           SECWEPEMC'ULECW

                                     Grassroots   Movement


1704. " Constitutional  common  law "  is  that  special  type  of  law  that  comes  into  being when a  court  declares  a  first  principle  that  is  beyond  the  ordinary  jurisdiction  of governments  unilaterally  to  repeal 2. Such  a  law,  recognizing  native  jurisdiction  sovereignty,  came  into existence  in  1704.  The  Mohegans   had  a  legal  dispute  with  the  British  Colony of
Connecticut  over  the  effect  of  a  treaty  upon  aboriginal  rights.  The  Colonial  Court  opposed  the  Mohegans'  application  for  the  appointment  of  a  special  unbiased 3 constitutional   court,  on  the  ground  that  the  colonial  court  it  already  had  such  jurisdiction, and  the  Indians  were  under  it. Queen  Anne  agreed  with  the  Mohegans,  and constituted  the  special  court 4,  which  in  turn  affirmed  the  Indians'  jurisdiction   sovereignty 5. 

1763.  " Constitutional Act  Legislation "  consists  in  those  orders  in  council  and  statutes  of  the imperial  government  which  constitute  and  limit  the  powers  of  the  federal  and
Provincial  governments, such  as  the  order  in  council  known  as  the  Royal  Proclamation 1763. lt  affirms  the  above  mentioned  natural, international, common  and  constitutional law.  Only  the  imperial  parliament  could  enact  a  repeal 6, but  that  parliament's  enactments  have  either  been  neutral  to  or  else  reiterative 7  of  the  previously  established
legal 

1. Sublimes  Deus, 1537. ( Papal  Bull ).  We ....consider,  however, that  the  Indians  are  truly men.... we  define  and  declare  by  these  letters, or  by  any  translation  thereof  signed  by any  notary  public  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  any  ecclesiastical  dignitary, to  which the same  credit  shall  be  given  as  to  the  originals, that  notwithstanding  whatever  may  have been  said  to  the contrary,  the said  Indians .... are  by  no means  to  be  deprived  of  their
liberty  or  the  possession  of  their  property....; and that  they  may  and  should, freely  and legitimately, enjoy  their  liberty  and  possession  of  their  property; nor  should  they  be  in any  way  enslaved; should  the  contrary  happen, it  shall  be  null  and  of  no  effect."


2.  Dicey. Lectures. 1920. 488.  " Judge- made  law  is  subject  to certain  limitations. It  can not openly  declare  a  new  principle  of  law: it  must  always  take  the  form  of  a  deduction  from  some  legal  principle  whereof  the  validity is admitted, or the application or interpretation of  some  statutory  enactment. It  can not  override statutory  law. The  courts  may, by a process  of  interpretation, indirectly  limit  or  possibly  extend  the  operation  of  a  statute, but
they  can  not  set  a  statute  aside. Nor  have  they  in  England  ever  adopted  the  doctrine which  exists, one  is  told, in  Scotland, that  a  statute  may  be  obsolete  by  disuse.  It  can not  from  its  very  nature  override  any  established  principle  of  judge- made  law."

3. Hume. Politics. ( F. Watkins, ed. Toronto. Nelson. 1951. )  Page  84. " Here  then  is  the  origin of  civil  government  and  society,"

4. pc 2/96:  163-7, 175-6/116:513-515/177:10-11. Attorney  General  Northey  recommended a constitutional " Court" ( rather  than a mere  royal  commission  of  inquiry ) to adjudicate  legal
disputes  between  Indian  nations  and  crown  governments, which  recommendation  was enacted  into  law  by  order  in  council ( U.K. ) dated  9 March 1704, implemented  by  the court  itself, and confirmed  at  the  appellate  level  by  the  Judicial  Committee  of  the  Privy Council  on  15 January 1773. Smith. Appeals  to  the  Privy  Council. 1950. Page  425 ( note  48). 

5. Smith. Page  442
6. Campbell v. Hall  ( 1774 ). 98 ER  895-8  ( PC ).

7. See, a for  example: Quebec  Act, 1774, s,3; An Act  to  Provide  for  the  Government  of British  Columbia, 21 & 22  Vict,  c 99, s. 4;  the  Constitution  Act, 1867, ss. 91 (24). 109 and  129; the  Statute  of  Westminster, 1931, s. 7 (1); and the  Constitution  Act, 1982, ss. 25( a ) and  35 (1).

                                                              (4)                                                


           OKANAGAN   TRIBAL COUNCIL                                                        
Her  Royal   Majesty ,  Queen   Elizabeth 11,                                    Head   of   the    Commonwealth , Buckingham   Palace
London ,   ENGLAND

Her  Royal   Majesty ,  Queen   Elizabeth   11 ,

This   Is   a   formal   request   to   set   up   an   appointment   for   an audience   with   your   Royal   Majesty ,   Queen   Elizabeth   11   of    England .

We   Are   asking   you   to   wait   and    meet   with  U.S.  before  you  make any   decision   that   will   affect   the   relationship   between    the   Royal   Crown and   our   Nations.   There   are   Three   Witnesses   that   the   relationship   between our    Nations    and    the    Royal    Crown   continues    to   exist    without    diminishment;

             1 )    The   rising   and   the   setting   of   the   Sun ,       
             2 )     The   Great   Waters   which   continue   flow   through   our   Land 
 on   its'   way   to   the   Ocean,      
                                   
             3 )      The  flying   of   the   Royal   Flag   of   the   lmperial    Crown .      

It   Is   Our   understanding   that   these   would   always   bear   witness   to   the      truth   of   our   relationship   and   is   now   symbolized   in   the   Royal   Coat   of Arms   of   British   Columbia   granted    by   King   Edward    Vll   in   1906 .             

The   four   Hereditary    Chiefs   of    our   Nations   who   represented    the  commitments   to   this   relationship   between   your   predecessors   and   our people    were  :                    

                          1)  N' kwala            
                          2). A'  tum                
                          3)  N'  hum  chin         
                          4). Chil   hertza                    

We  now   wish  to   make   a   representation   to   you   through   four   Chiefs   who  


                                              (  5  )                    



Her   Royal   Majesty ,   Queen    Elizabeth   11
                   
Page    2                 
March   4 ,  1982.        stand    behind    and    rejuvenate   that   relationship ;  four    Chiefs    in   whom   is         invested    the   same    Traditional    Hereditary   Rights   of   the   four   original
Chiefs .                      

The    respect    due   to   the   Royal   Crown   of   England    has   been   upheld   and    has   not   been   diminished   in   any   way  our   Nations , for   that   reason ,  our   concerns  in  the  treatment   of   our   children   must   be   brought  forward   by   U.S,  to   Your   Majesty,  and   for   that   same   reason   concerns   at   the   manner   of   treatment   of   some   of   children   toward   our children            
does   not  accord   You,  the   Queen,  the  full   and   due   respect   to   the   Crown .    

Therefore,  we   humbly   ask   that   you   grant  us   a reasonable    space   of   time   to   enable   us   to   dress   properly   to  meet   with   you .  The Traditional  and   Hereditary   Chiefs   of   the   Okanagan   and   Shuswap   Nations  speak   together    through   one .                
                                                                          Respectfully   your ,        
                                                                          Tommy   Gregoire    Ch  Ch  I'm  ken      


                Tommy   Gregoire                  
                 John      Terbasket      
                 W.A.       Arnouse                      
                 William   Chilheetza                  
                  Leonard  Gregoire              



                                                            ( 6 )            



                                CONFEDERATED     TRADITIONAL          
                              OKANAGAN  -  SHUSWAP    NATIONS          
                                                DECLARATION                


    We,  the   Sovereign   Traditional   People   of   the Okanagan     and   the   Shuswap   Territories   Declare   at   this   time   Our   Position   to   be   Known   Before   All   People   of   the   World.  We   Stand   Together   as   one   Under   Four   Hereditary   Chiefs :             

     N'  KWAIW          
     A'   tum                 
     N'  hum  chin         
     Chil   Heetza  l                     

     In  their   declared   relationships   with   the   Royal   Crown   of
England   there   are   three   witnesses   that   the   relationship  
between   our   Nations   and   the   Royal   Majesty  continues          
without   diminishment:          

       1.   The   Rising   Setting   of   the   Sun;        
       2.   The   Great   Waters   which   continues   to   Flow   through   our 
land   on   its   way   the   ocean;   
                    

  3.  The   Flying   of   the   Royal   Flag   of   the   Imperial   Crown. It   is   our   understanding   that   these   would   always   bear   witness   to   the   of   our     Relationship   and   is  now   Symbolized   in   the   Royal   Coat - of   Arms   of   British  Columbia   granted   by   King   Edward   V 11   in   1906.  This   is   our  stated   position   as   it   was     then   and    is   now.
        
       We   Declare   that   this   stated   position   is   Protected  and    Insured   to  us   through   our   Four   Hereditary  Chiefs   Agreement  with  the   Crown   of  England   which  insured  Peaceful  Coexistence   with  our  subjects.  The   Okanagan    Nation   and    the  Shuswap   Nation  are  Sovereign  Nations.  This  originates  from   the  Creator   when  he  placed   us  on  this island   in   our  Territory;  We  were   given  instruction  under   which   our    people   have   lived   in   Health   from   time   untold.  These  instructions   are   contained   in  the   Teaching   of   Coyote.  It  Is    through   our   Values   that   we  live   under   the   instruction   of   the  Creator.  Our   values   form   the   foundation   of   our  survival.          

      Therefore,  our  first  responsibility   is   to   protect   our       
Spirituality.  Our  People   and   a   Sacred   Trust.  counties.     
Generations   to   come   will   carry   the   Sacred   Trust   of   our Values   from   one   generation   to   the   next   to   keep  it   a   living  thing.                   

        Therefore,  our  second  responsibility  is   to  protect   our
Future   Generation.  Our  Culture   is  a   Sacred   Trust.  the
Values   carried  by   Generation  of   our   People   are   passed
through   the   Language,  Customs   and   Knowledge   that   we
practice   in    our   daily  lives.

      Therefore ,  our   third   Responsibility   is   to   protect   our
Culture.  The   Land  is   a   Sacred   Trust.  Our   Knowledge   and
Customs   are   Understood   and   Practiced   in   our   relationship
with  land   in  that  way  it  Protects   and   Ensures   our
survival   and,  therefore   it   is   the   Living   Body   of   our   Spirituality.

It  Is   our  mother   nourishing   us   in  all   ways;   Physical,  Spiritual, Mental,  and   Emotional.

        Therefore,  our   fourth  responsibility  is   to  Protect   our       
Land.  We   hold   these   truths   to   be   the   truths   upon   which   we  stand  as  one.             

         We  have  never  knowingly  sold   our  title  to  land  or  the     
Rights   to  use   or   resources   on   it.   We   never   made   any     
Agreements   which   give  any   other   Nation   the   right   to   take  any   of   these   Lands   Resources   into   their   possession.       

       We   have   never   lost   a   war  with   any  Nations.  No   Nation    can  claim   any   of   our   lands   by   conquest.  We   have  never given  consent   to   join   any   other  Nation   of   the   World.

        We   will  never   surrender   our   Right   to   carry   the    
instructions   and   Responsibilities   the   Creator   gave  to   us.  We   will  never   betray   our   Children.  We will   never   consent   to Extinguish   Our   Sovereignty  to   any   Nation.
World  in   Peace   as   our   Four   Hereditary   Chiefs   declared   
before   the   Crown   England.

      We   declare   that   the   Relationship   of   the   Crown   of    
England  to  the  Okanaga  and  Shuswap  Nations was of 
mutual   Respect   and   Peace   with   her   Subjects,  one   that  
Upholds   and    Protects   and    Ensures   the   Sovereignty   and   any 
of   the   above   mentioned    Rights.  


    This   is   Witnessed   by  the   Flag   that   Continues  to  Fly   over  
Britain   and   is   Vested   in   the   Royal   Promises   made   to   these    
Four   Chiefs    that   it   would   remain   so   as   long   as   the   Great  
Waters   continues   to   Flow  and   as   long   as   the   Flag   and    Britain  
continues   to   fly.

 We  do  not  recognize  a  Relationship  with  any  other
Nation  of  the  World,  as  long  as  these   Witnesses  stand.


 We  shall  stand  as  one  behind  This  Declaration.  Only  the
Crown  of  England  the  Rights  to  Changes  in  its
relationships  with  us  only  through  Meetings  and  Agreeing
with  the  Hereditary  Descendants  of  those  four  Chiefs  behind
whom  we  stand  and  rejuvenate  the  original  relationship.

  We  will  never  consent  to  Surrender  or  Sell  our  Land. No
one  has  the  to  sell  what  we  collectively  own.

 We  will  continue  to  Live  on  and  Use  Lands  in  All  our
Territories. We  will  Live  our  Spirituality  and   Share  it  and  pass
it  on to  All  who  Desire  to  live  it. We  will  practice  our  Rights
to  hunt, fish.  pick  berries, dig  roots, and  to  use  the  resources
of  our  Iands,


   We   will   Practice   our   Way   and   Teach   Our   Children   our
Ways.



   We   will   use   Our   Language   and   Protect   it.  We    will   care
for   and   Respect   each   other   and    Protect   each   other.


              We   will   Protect   our   land.    

  We  will  continue  to  live  as  Sovereign  People  and   Never
Surrender  under  ANY  circumstances.

              These  are  Our  Rights.

Only  the  Creator  could  Take  away  these  Rights.


                We  Speak  As  One


/ s /   Tommy  Gregoire   (  Okanagan- Shuswap  )
/ s /    John  Terbasket    (  Similkameen- Okanagan  )
/ s /    W. A.  Arnouse      (  Shuswap  )
/ s/      William  Chilheetza  (  Okanagan  )

Ratified  in  Good  Faith   at  Alkali  Lake, B . C . ,  on

                                         (  7  )


                                    lNTRODUCTION


      The  Shuswap  Peoples,  through  their  elected  Ieaders  have  mandated
a  " Task  Force "  to  research  and  propose.  " MODELS  OF  SELF-GOVERNMENT ".


      This  booklet  represents  the  achievement  of  that  mandate.  Within
its  covers  are  the  combined  results  of  the  expressions  of  Shuswap
people  and  their  declarations,  many  hours  of  research  and  development,
on  behalf  of  the  Task  Force  and  some   selected   perceptions   of   scholars,
academics,  administrators  and  politicians.


       The  concept  of  Shuswap  self- government  is  laden  with  numerous
variables   and  complexities,  many  of  which  remain  to  be  dealt   with,  as
resolving  them  is  beyond  our  mandate.  What  we  have  proposed  though,
is  a  necessary  beginning  for  dealing  with  the  issues   that  arise.  We
have  outlined  the  substance  and  the  procedure  by  which  all  matters
of  particular  interest, to  Shuswap  people, can  be  formally  introduced,
discussed  and  resolved, by  Shuswap  people.  That  exercise  is  the
essence  of  self-determination  and  is  called  " Self-Government".


        To  resolve  issues  that  affect  all  of  the  people, machinery  must  be  in
place  to  respond. The  mechanism  in  our  proposal  is  a  level  of
Indian  government  that  would  address  the  collective  needs  and
aspirations  of  the  Constituency  (  People ).  We  have  called  that
mechanism  " The  Shuswap  Proisional  Government,  fully  differentiating,
it  form  an  anticipated  " The  Shuswap  Provisional  Government,  fully
differentiating, it  from  an  anticipated  "  Shuswap  Nation  Government".

The  " Shuswap  Provisional  Government  "  would  fill  the  void  that  exists
between  the  situation  of  " Today "  and  the  expectations  of  " Tommorrow ".
It  would  provide  the  framework  for  evolving  toward  sovereignty ----
rather   than munincipalization.  lt  will  also  reflect  the  free-will  of  a
society  and  exemplify  the  sacred  duty  to  the  seventh  generation  in  the
future,  by  not  succumbing   to  the  pressures  of  assimilation.



           The  proposal,  in  effect  and  principle  recognizes  that  the


                                                       - PAGE  TWO -


           reality  of  Shuswap  Society  is  considerably  different  than  that  of  a
           century  ago .  Things  have  changed, and  we  will  not  evaluate  the  degree
           of  change  or  attempt  to  weigh  those  changes  as  being  good  or  bad.
           Still  the  fact  remains  that  acculturation,  whether  intentional  or
           accidental, has  taken  place;  the  economic  foundation  in  the  communities
           has  changed, along  with  its  needs  and  desires, the  spiritual  and  social
           needs  are  being  met  in  different  terms, and  " Indian  politics " has
           evolved .  All  changing  to  accept, or  be  acceptable  to, the  ever  present
           western  cultures.


           This  proposal  considers  the  inherent  need  to  change  as  not  only
           healthy  but  a  necessary  consideration  in  the  development  of  a  governing
           model  for  Shuswap  Peoples . Our  discussions recognize  this  change  as
          " Modernization " and  provides  for  it, without  compromising  Indian  values
           or  Principles.  In  this  context, we  see  no  need  to  consider
           modernization  negatively,  it  seems  necessary  and  appropriate  for
          responding  to  the  contemporary  issues  that  are  facing  the  Shuswap
          People,  and  any  Model  of  Self-Government  that  might  evolve.


           This  is  not  a  radical  approach  to  self-government. The  Shuswap
           People  need  not  concern  themselves  about  being  considered
           cessationts  or  revolutionaries. But, what  the  world  will  see, is  the
          exercise  of  self-getermination  as  it  is  recognized  and  protected, by
          playing   a   participatory   role.


              We  propose  a  government  with  the  flexibility  to  incorporate  both
           the  traditional  and  modern   values  of  the  Shuswap  People  and  provide
           the  ability  to  exercise  self-determination,  gain  recognition  and
           establish  National  pride  in  influencing  decisions  and  systems  that
           directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  well  being  of  the  Shuswap  Peoples.              


                                                       SUBSTANCES
                        THE  SUBSTANCE  OF  SECWEPMEC  NATION  GOVERNMENT


       1 )  WHEREAS,  the  SECWEPMEC  people  recognize  that  it  is  their  sacred
              duty  to  the  Seventh  generation  in  the  future,  and

        2 )  WHEREAS,  the  SECWEPMEC  people  recognize  that , individually  or
              collectively,  they  have  no  power  to  extinguish, diminish,  alter
             cede, surrender,  or  otherwise  affect  the  relationship  between  the
             SECWEPMEC  Peoples  and  their  lands,  and


        3)  WHEREAS,  SECWEPMEC   Peoples  have  an  international  as  well  as
             God
             given  right  to  be  recognized  and  treated  as  a  Nation,  and

        4)  WHEREAS,  Canada  has  attempted  to  assimilate  SECWEPMEC  Peoples
             instead  of  recognizing  and  treating  Secwpmec  People  on  a  Nation
             to  Nation  and  a  Government  to  Government  basis,  and


       5 )  WHEREAS,  the  attempted  assimilation  of  SECWEPMEC  Peoples  have
              seriously  eroded  and  undermine  the  traditional  institutions  and
              government  systems  of  the  SECWEPMEC   Peoples  and


       6)  WHEREAS,  SECWEPMEC  Peoples  have  rejected  assimilation  as  a
            means  to  improve  the  living  conditions  and  well  being  of  their
            Peoples,  and

         7 )   WHEREAS,  SECWEPMEC  Peoples  have  expressed  a  clear  and  strong
                desire  to  rebuild  their  own  distinct  institutions  and  government
                systems,  and

         8 )   WHEREAS,  modern  reality  and  modern  problems  require  that
                SECWEPMEC  institutions  and  Government  system  be  modernized  and
                government  systems  be  modernized  to  deal  effectively  with  todays
                complex  world,  and  

         9 )   WHEREAS,  modernization  should  take  best  from  the  past  and  the
                best  brim  today 's  world  and  integrate  these  two  different  ways
                into  one  strong,  modern  SECWEPMEC  Society,  and

        10 )  WHEREAS,  modernization  must  begin  from  where  SECWEPMEC 
                people are and not from where want to be, and


         11)  WHEREAS,  present  SECWEPMEC   reality  evolves  from  the Indian
                Reserve  to  the  extent  of  Secwpmec  traditional  national
                territorial  boundaries,  and

         12 )  WHEREAS,  it  is  within  this  national  territory  that  the
,                 reconstruction  of  the  Secwpmec   people  must  take  place,  and

          13) WHEREAS'  a  Provisional  SECWEPMEC  Government  should be
                established which could  work in concert with existing Councils
                to re- constitute the essential institutions and government system
                needed to repatriate SECWEPMEC lands and resources, and             

          14) WHEREAS, the Provisional Government would be based upon
                the recognition of existing SECWEPMEC Band Councils and
                their jurisdiction over matters of a local nature, and   

           15) WHEREAS, the Provisional SECWEPMEC  Government would also recognize
                 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights " as being the basis upon which
                 the SECWEPMEC people will define their individual rights "  viis-a-vis any
                government institutions and systems that will be developed, and

            16) WHEREAS, the provision SECWEPMEC  Government would be solely
                  responsible for developing a political program that will firmly entrench a,
                  Nation to Nation and Government to Government relationship between
                 Canada and the SECWEPMEC Peoples, and


             17) WHEREAS, security  of  the  SECWEPMEC  Nation  and  Her  People  must
                      be  the  collective  responsibility  of  the  Government,  and

             18) WHEREAS, the  Provisional  Government  would  concentrate  its  time
                     addressing  and  resolving  issues  that  are  regarding, lands,
                     resources  and  people  that  are  or  who  are  situated  between
                     existing  reserve  boundaries, and

              19) WHEREAS, the  expansion  of  existing  land  bases  and  resource  bases
                      is  a  long  term  and  major  undertaking, the  logical  responsibility
                     would  be  delegated  to  the  SECWEPMEC  Provisional  Government, and

               20) WHEREAS, the  SECWEPMEC  Provisional  Government  will  be  composed
                        of  Chiefs, Councillors  and  Elders, exclusively  responsible  for  all  matters

                        which  do  not  come  within  the  power  and  authority  of  a  Band  Council
                        and

                 21) WHEREAS, the  SECWEPMEC  Provisional  Government  will  come  into
                         existence  and  continue  on  until  a  permanent  SECWEPMEC  Go
                         is  established  by  the  SECWEPMEC  Peoples.

                        THEREFORE, the  SECWEPMEC  People  do  recognize  the  import
                         establishing  a  SECWEPMEC  Nation  Provisional  Government.


                                                              8

                   Declaration  of  Kinship  and  Cooperation  among  the
                   Indigenous  Peoples  and  Nation  of  North  America

          We, the  people  knowing  that  the  Creator  placed  us  here  on  Mother  Earth 
          sovereign  nations  and  seeking  to  live  in  peace, freedom  and  prosperity  will
          humanity  in  accordance  with  our  own traditional  laws  are  united  in  our  so

          relationship  with  the  land, air, water  and  resources  of  our  ancestral  territor
          we  are  bound  by  common  origin  and  history, aspiration  and  experience,
          we  are  brothers  and  sisters  leaders  and  warriors  of  our  nations.

          We,  the  Assembly  of  First  Nations  and  the  National  Congress  of  America
           landians  meeting  in  joint  assembly  as  the  largest  convocation  of  indige
           Ieadership  in  North  America  in  the  20 th  century,  make  the  following
           declaration :

          From  time  immemorial,  the  lands  that  are  now  known  as  Canada  and 
          United  States  of  America  have  been  and  continue  to  be  the  sacred home
          of  indigenous  Peoples  and  Nations :            

          While  our  Indigenous  Peopls  and  Nations  have  distinct  identities, cultures,
          languages  and  traditions, we  have  also  been  guided  by  many  common
          purposes  and  beliefs, which  have  been  shaped  by  many  common  experiences :

         We  have  all  retained  the  inherent  right  to  self-determination. in shaping  our  own
         destinies  we  will  remain  faithful  to the time honoured  traditions of  our  ancestors 
         and  we  will  work  to  secure  the  greatest  possible  freedom, dignity  and  prosperity
         for  our  descendants :

         We  have  all  known  ourselves  as  people  who live  in  harmony  with  our  environment
          and  cherish  and  protect  our  traditional  homeland .


         We  have  all  shared  a  belief  that  individuals  and  peoples  must  address  each
         other  in  a  spirit  of  respect  and  tolerance : 

         We  have  all  experienced  outside  encroachment  upon  out  traditional  homelands
         and   We  have  striven  to co-exist  with  other  peoples  and  cultures  in peace. 

         Others' hands  have  drawn boundaries  between the Canada and the United States.
         These arbitrary line have not severed, and never will, the ties of kinship among our
          Peoples.

          We are hereby resolved to affirm and to strengthen those bounds of mutual respect
          cooperation and affection. As friends and allies, we Indigenous Peoples and Nations          
          We are hereby resolved to affirm and to strengthen those bonds of mutual respect
          cooperation and affection. As friends and allies, we Indigenous Peopies and Nations
          will go forward with greater strength and wisdom as we interact with other governments
          in our region. our hemisphere and our world


                                                                        ( 2 )

           Here in the sacred lands of the Coast Salish People, in the summer of 1999, the
           Assembly of First Nations and the National Congress of American landians meet
           in joint assembly, In spirit, it has been not a first encounter, but a reunion. We
           affirm that the Assembly of First Natios and the National Congress of American
           landians each derive their authority from their constituent nations and shall continue
          to represent them in a constitutional and democratic manner. We authorize our
          national organizations, to inform, assist and support each other in the areas of
          common concern, including:

           Achieving the full recognition, protection and implementation of the existing legal
           and political rights of our constituent nations, including those founded in our own
           national law, the laws of Canada and the United States, and in the laws of the wider
           international community:
          Ensuring that as laws and institutions further develop in various domestic and
          international forums and councils,the voices of our nations are included and
          respected:


         Promoting the practice and preservation of our spiritual and cultural expressions:

        Supporting the education of our citizens in our life ways and in the common
        Knowledge of humankind:

        Raising our children in the loving traditions of our peoples and protecting their
        primal connections with their families, communities and nations;

        Advancing the economic and social well being of the citizens of all our nations,
        whether or not they live within their traditional homelands, while preserving our
        traditions of sharingng and social justice:

        Protecting and promoting and right of our citizens to move freely across the
        border of Canada and the United States while retaining full recognition of their
        status as members of indigenous nations.

        Our national organizations are authorized and encouraged to identify from time
        specific matters on which to focus their collective efforts toward the advancement
        of this declaration, The means of cooperation shall involve contacts between the
        National organization at various levels,including leaders, officiais or staff.

        Each of our national organizations has the authority to establish and receive
        diplomatic  missions to foster understanding and cooperation. Our national
        organizations many choose to enter into specific bilateral agreements in accordance
        with our respective constitutions. The national organization many also seek to
        strengthen the relationship among our peoples by facilitating exchanges among
        the representatives of our constituent peoples, groups and association, and
        individual citizens.

        We are resolved at this the first ever joint assembly of our national organizations
        that we shall convene again on many occasions and that the spirit of understanding
        and followship among our peoples that we here experienced shall grow ever stronger
        as we take our full and rightful place in the community of all nations. 

        Let it be resolved that member nations from the Assembly of First Nations and the
        National Congress Of American landian having met in joint assembly in Vansouver,
        British Columbia, affirm the foregoing, in honor of our ancestors and for the sake
        of future generations, as a declaration of international indigenous understanding,
        Among nations and organizations. 

        Certification

        On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and the National Congress of American
        landians, in unity, solidanty, mutual respect and friendship, we the undersigned
       attest that this declaration represents the collective sentiment of those convened
       in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Friday, July 23, 1999

        National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

        President of the National Congress of American Indians

                                                        ( 9 )

     1)  RESOLVE  TO  RATIFY  THE  FOLLOWING  DECLARATION  SIGNED  IN  PRINCIPLE:

            SECWEPEMC  CHIEFS  AND  REPRESENTATIVES.  COLLECTIVALY  THE  ONLY
            SPOKESPERSONS  FOR  SECWEPEMC, DECLARE THAT ON THIS DAY JANUARY
            17, 1983, THAT WE RERFFIRM  OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TRADITIONAI
            TERRITORY

            WE FOLLOW THE PATH OF OUR ELDERS AND OUR FOREFATHERS IN STANDING
            FIRM FOR OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TERRITORY SO THAT THE FUTURE
            GENERATIONS OF OUR CHILDERN  WILL ALSO HAVE WHAT HAS BEEN HANDED
            DOWN TO US BY OUR CREATOR. TODAY THROUGH THIS DECLARATION WE
            ENSURE THAT SECWEPEMC SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TERRITTORY COMES
            FORM
            THE PAST. TO THE PRESENT AND FOREVER ON INTO THE FUTURE.

            WE HAVE GOVERNED, MANAGED, CONTROLLED, DEVELOPED, PROTECTED
            AND DEFENDED OUR TERRITORY SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL. WE HAVE NEVER
            ABANDONED OUR TERRITORY OR SOLD IT. WE HAVE NEVER CONCEDED OUR
            SOVEREIGNTY BY AGREEMENT OR BY CONQUEST TO ANY OTHER NATION.

            WE DECLARE OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER ALL OUR LANDS, WATERS, AIR AND
            ALL THEIR RESORCES  IN THE INTERIOR OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS
            BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE LAND GENERALLY SPEAKING THAT LAYS BETWEEN
            LATITUDES  50  DEGREES,  30  MINUTES  AND  53  DEGREES  NORTH, FORM
            THE FRASER RIVER AREA TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

            WE WILL WORK ARM IN ARM WITH SECEWPEMC AND OTHER PEOPLES WHO
            ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT OUR MANDATE WHICH IS TO AFFIRM OUR SOVER-
            EIGNTY OVER OUR TRADITIONAL TERRITORY .

            WE, SECWEPEMC , WILL WORK TOWARD SELF-RELIANCE  ON THE BASIS OF
            CO-OPERATIONS. WE DECLARE OUR SUPPORT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR SELF-
            DETERMINATION AND INDEPENDENCE OF INDIGENOUS AND THIRD WORLD
            NATIONS.

       2.  RESOURCING OF SHUSWAP NATION THROUGH A NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGE-
            MENT  BETWEEN THE SHUSWAP  AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA.

       3.  WORK TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT, ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTTION
            SHUSWAP NATION GOVERNMENT.

       4.  WORK TOWARD A UNITED SHUSWAP  NATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CO-
            ORDINATED SHUSWAP EFFORTS ON ISSUES OF A COMMON CONCERN.

       5.  ESTABLISH PROCESSES FOR THE PROTECTIONS, MAINTENANCES AND
            ONGOING USE OF RESOURCES IN THE SHUSWAP TERRITORY, RESOURCES
           INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, MINERAL, FORESTRY
           AND LAND, WATERWAYS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

       6. IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE
          SHUSWAP  NATION.

       7.  THAT THE ACCORD MAY BE AMENDED AT A SHUSWAP  NATION ASSEMBLY
            BY CONCENSUS  OF THE SIGNATORY BANDS TO THE ACCORD.

       8.  COLLECTIVELY RESOLVE SPECIFIC AND COMPREHENSIVE LAND QUESTIONS
            AFFECTING THE SHUSWAP  NATION. 


                                                         (10 )

         1. INHERENT RIGHTS AND POWERS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

                 " One hundred years next year they ( white people ) came amongst us here at
               Kamloops and erected a trading post...When they first came among us there
               were only landians here. They found the people of each tribe supreme in their
               own territory, and have tribal boundaries known and recognized by all."

                      Memorial of the laterior Chiefs to Sir Wilfrid Laurier ( August 25,1910 )

     1. AS lndigenous Peoples and nations, we are the original peoples of our territories, ln
         our own languages we call ourselves " the people " of the land, our names tell us
         where we come from. We are one with the land. We govern and own our territories
         based on our deep-rooted connection to our territories. We, as the current generation
         of lndigenous Peoples have inherited our lands, resources and political systems from
         our ancestors by birth. It is our responsibility to protect our inherent powers and rights
         for future generations. The inherent rights and powers of lndigenous Peoples, including
         Indigenous legal systems, are inalienable. These rights cannot be transferred or taken
         away from us.   

     2. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we have the the right to self- determination which
        means we freely and independently determine our own political, legal, economic, social
        and cultural systems without external interference. We have our own political status and
        we have created our own forms of political representation. Any decisions about the
        exercise of inherent rights and powers of lndigenous Peoples must be take by each
        people collectively according to our their beliefs, worldviews, priorities, traditions and
        aspirations about the future.

    3. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we have established relationships with other
        Indigenous Peoples through trade and commerce, lashing declarations, creating
        protocols. This includes recognition of each other's territories and sovereignty, peace-
        making and settlements, creating treaties and forming alliances with each other sines
        time immemorial, This is based on our lndigenous concepts of Sharing and reciprocity.
        Our inherent powers and rights sustain good relation with our neighbours.

     4. Our legal status as lndigenous Peoples and nations predates contact with Europeans.
         It supersedes any assertion or assumption of sovereignty by states such as Britain or
         Canada. We have territorial integrity and sovereignty, but unlike states' ours is
          legitimate and not based on colonial doctrines. This means that the Canadian state,
          for

             Towards Recognition of our inherent Rights as lndigenous  Peoples

       5. Our generation continues the legacy of ensuring that there is reinstatement and
           restitution for the history of Crown/ industry/individual conduct that has:
                . denied our inherent power and rights as lndigenous peoples;
                . dispossessed us of our land and resources;
                . violated our human rights; and
                . interfered with the free exercise of our sovereignty and right to set- determination.

        6. Canadian courts have only recognized minimal aspects of our inherent powers and
            rights based on their interstation of Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.

        7. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we remain colonized by Canada, Our human
            and lndigenous  rights under international law continued to be violated. We must
            understand how and by what methods Canadian laws and policies have wreaked
            havoc of our
            traditional land and decision-making systems. And through acts of decolonization,
            being self- determining, and exercising our inherent powers or sovereignty, we must
            begin to untangle ourselves from colonization by Canada. We must critically assess
            any new attempts to extinguish our inherent power and rights through federal or
            provincial policies, laws and the Canadian constitutional framework. We must be
            careful not to provide our free, prior and informed consent to any initiatives that
            systemically and blatantly undermine our inherent powers and rights.

         8. Decolonization for our peoples will require:
              . the exercise of our inherent political and legal power in our territories;
              . implementation of international human rights; and
              . constitutional and policy reform based on lndigenous  rights standards.

           9. Decolonization is necessary so that our future generation can live in sustainable
               ways in co-existence with other peoples on this planet. We must continue to call
               for the free exercise of our political diversity and protect the biodiversity of our
               territories.



           B. Indigenous Peoples Territorial / Land Systems Based On Indigenous Laws
                      We claim the sovereign right to all country of our tribe - this country is ours
                      which we have held intact from the encroachments of other, from time
                      Immemorial, at the cost of our own blood. We have done because our lives
                         depended on our country, We have never treatied with them, not given them
                           any such title. ( We have only lately learned the BC government makes
                              this claim and that it has for long considered its
                                            property all the territories of the Indian tribes in BC),
                                                  Tahltan  Declaration, October 18, 1910


          19. Our creation stories tell us that we came from our lands and source our identity
                as peoples and nations. We have our own distinct traditional land systems that
                set out responsibilities to take care of the land. Our future generations will inherent
                this sacred  legacy.

           20. Our land systems set out our territorial boundaries and place names. We govern
                 our territories according to our own laws and teachings. Our inherent powers, legal
                 systems

                Towards Recognition of our lnherent  Rights as lndigenous  Peoples

                and rights alone determine that we are the legitimate owners of our lands, resources
                and territories. We have dispute resolution processes that are formal and informal.
                Based on our diplomatic experiences, we have often successfully reached
                agreement with our neighbouring peoples about how to regulate our borders and
                ensure sustainability. 

           21. Our distinct land systems have been designed to maintain sufficient access to
                 resources to sustain our people, provide for trade and technology transfer ( e.g,;
                 fish weirs ), while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.
                 Our land systems are sustainable.

            22. According to our inherent laws, the power to govern our traditional territional
                  through our land systems have not been altered by Canada's assumed or
                  asserted sovereignty. Nor have we ceded,surrendered or extinguished our
                  territorial jurisdiction to Britain or Canada.

             23. Canadian common law elements of Aboriginal Title reflect some aspects our
                    land systems. Courts have recognized that one of the sources of Aboribinal
                ,   Title is. lndigenous laws. Courts have also recognized that Aboriginal Title
                    can be exclusive in nature or be jointly shared by lndigenous Peoples. Once
                    recognized by a court,we can govern Aboriginal Title lands. However, there
.                     are fundamental distinctions between our respective inherent land systems
                    and the proprietary nature of Aboriginal Title lands under Canadian law that
                    are incompatible with our powers to govern our territories as Indigenous
                    Peoples and nations.

               24. For example, the Crown or courts would not have the power to regulate,
                     define, or infringe our land systems based on our laws and jurisdiction. Our
                     inherent powers have not authorized such a limitation on jurisdiction over
                     our territories. Nor would our land systems be parasitic on underlying Crown
                     title. This is a colonial understanding, based on a legal fiction in Canadian law
 ,                   but not our laws. This common law doctrine of Aboriginal Title assumes that
                     our land rights came into being at the time of the assertion of European
                     sovereignty, and not before. There is a distinction between Aboriginal Title as

                25. Under common law, Aboriginal Title can be surrendered to the federal Crown
                      for compensation. Under many Indigenous land systems, our territories are
                      inalienable. The current understanding of the common law doctrine of Aboriginal
                      Title, presumes that the Canada is the sovereign over our lands. Courts have
                      considered Aboriginal Title without a full hearing on the issue of our inherent
                      political status and jurisdiction. To ask us to surrender, extinguish, modify or
                      subject our inherent power and rights in relation to our territories through
                      provincial legislation, regulation, policies and negotiation mandates would
                      perpetuate a great injustice towards us. Solving the land question is not
                      about being forced to accept that our land systems now continue as title
                      rights that function and are limited within Canadian jurisdiction and laws.
                      Rather, the
                        Towards Recognition of our inherent Rights as lndigenous Peoples
                      stating point should be how we ensure respect for our land systems within
                      a context of self-determination of our peoples and co-existence with others
                      through decolonization.     



                                                     DECLARATION   OF
                                           SECWEPEMC  SOVEREIGNTY



     1.    SECWEPEMC  CHIEFS  AND  REPRESENTATIVES,  COLLECTIVELY  THE  ONLY
    SPOKESPERSONS FOR SECWEPEMC, DECLARE THAT ON THIS DAY JANUARY 17,
    1983, THAT WE REAFFIRM OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TRADITIONAL TERRITORY.

    WE FOLLOW THE PATH OF OUR ELDERS AND OUR FOREFATHERS IN STANDING
    FIRM FOR OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TERRITORY SO THAT THE FUTURE
    GENERATIONS OF OUR TERRITORY SO THAT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF OUR
    CHILDREN WILL ALSO HAVE WHAT HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO US BY OUR
    CREATOR. TODAY THROUGH THIS DECLARATION WE ENSURE THAT SECWEPEMC
    SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TERRITORY COMES FROM THE PAST, TO THE PRESENT
    AND FOREVER ON INTO THE FUTURE .

     WE HAVE GOVERNED, MANAGED,CONTROLLED,DEVELOPED,PROTECTED AND
     DEFENDED OUR TERRITORY SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.WE HAVE NEVER
     ABANDONED OUR TERRITORY OR SOLDIT. WE HAVE NEVER CONCEDED OUR
     SOVEREIGNTY BY AGREEMENT OR BY CONQUEST TO ANY OTHER NATION.  

      WE DECLARE OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER ALL OUR LANDS,WATERS,AIR AND ALL
      THEIR  RESOURCES IN THE INTERIOR OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS BRITISH
       COLIMBIA, THE LAND GENERALLY SPEAKING THAT LAYS BETWEEN LATITUDES
       50 DEGREES, 30 MINUTES AND 53 DEGREES NORTH, FORM THE FASER RIVER
       AREA TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
       WE WILL WORK ARM IN ARM WITH SECWEPEMC AND OTHER PEOPLES WHO
       ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT OUR MANDATE WHICH IS TO AFFIRM OUR
       SOVEREIGNTY OVER OUR TRADITIONAL TERRITORY.

       WE, SECWEPEMC, WILL WORK TOWARDS SELF-RELIANCE ON THE BASIS OF
       CO- OPERATIONS.

       WE DECLARE OUR SUPPORT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION
       AND INDEPENDENCE OF INDIGENOUS AND THIRD WORLD NATIONS.    

  2.  RESOURCING OF SHUSWAP NATION THROUGH A NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGE-
       MENT BETWEEN THE SHUSWAP AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA.


  3.  WORK TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT, ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTION
       SHUSWAP NATION GOVERNMENTS.


  4.  WORK  TOWARD A UNITED SHUSWAP NATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CO-
       ORDINATED SHUSWAP EFFORTS ON ISSUES OF A COMMON CONCERN.

   5.  ESTABLISH PROCESSES FOR THE PROTECTIONS. MAINTENANCE AND
        ONGOING  USE OF RESOURCES IN THE SHUSWAP TERRITORY. RESOURCES
        INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FISHERIES,WILDLIFE, MINERAL, FORESTRY
       AND LAND, WATERWAYS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.      

    6. IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE
        SHUSWAP NATION.

    7. THAT THE ACCORD MAY BE AMENDED AT A SHUSWAP  NATION ASSEMBLY
        BY CONCENSUS OF THE SIGNATORY BANDS TO THE ACCORD.

    8. COLLECTIVELY RESOLVE SPECIFIC AND COMPREHENSIVE LAND QUESTIONS
         AFFECTING THE SHUSWAP  NATION.


                                          " ALL OUR RELATIONSHIP"
                                A DECLARATION OF THE SOVEREIGNS
                          INDIGENOUS NATIONS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

    We, the lndigenous leaders of British Columbia, come together United and celebrate
    the victory of the Tsilhqot'in and Xeni Gwet'in peoples in securing recognition of their
    Aboriginal title and rights- and all those lndigenous Nations and individuals that have
    brought important court cases over the years resulting in significant contributions in the
    protection and advancement of Aboriginal title and rights, including the Nisga'a Gitxsan,
    Wet'suwet'in, Haida, Taku River Tlingit, Musqueam, Heiltsuk and Sto: lo- shining light on
    the darkness of years of Crown denial of our title and rights. After pursuing different
    pathways, we now come together to make this solemn Declaration out of our common
    desire to be unified in affirming and Aboriginal title.

    As the original Peoples to this land, we declare :

.   We have Aboriginal title and rights to our lands, waters and resources and that we
    will exercise our collective, sovereign and inherent authorities and jurisdictions over
     these lands, waters and resources,
.   We respect, honour and are sustained by the values, teachings and laws passed to
     us by our ancestors for governing ourselves, our lands, waters and resources.
.    We have the right to manage and benefit from the wealth of our territories.
.    We have the inalienable sovereign right of self-determination. By virtue of this right,
     we are free to determine our political status and free to pursue our economic, social,
      health and well-being, and cultural development.
 .    We have diverse cultures, founded on the ways of life, traditions and values of our
      ancestors, which include systems of governance, law and social organization.
 .    We have the right to compensation and redress with regard to our territories, lands
      and resources which have been confiscated, taken, occupied, used or damaged
      without our free, prior and informed consent.
 .    We will only negotiate on the basis of full and complete recognition of the existence
      of our title and rights throughout our entire lands, waters, territories and resources.
 .    We acknowledge the interdependence we have with one another and respectfully
       honour our commitment with one anther where we share lands, waters and
       resources. We commit to resolving these shared lands, waters and resources based
       on our historical relationship though ceremonies and reconciliation agreements,
  .    We endorse the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of  lndigenous peoples
       and other international standards aimed at,ensuring the dignity, survival and well-  
       being of lndigenous peoples.

    We commit to:


    .   Stand united today and from this time forward with the Tsilhqot'in  and with each
        other in protecting our Aboriginal title and rights.
    .   Recognize and respect each other's autonomy and support each other in exercising
        our respective title, rights and jurisdiction in keeping with our continued
        interdependency.
    .   Work together to defend and uphold this Declaration.

     We the undersigned, represent First Nations who carry a mandate to advance Title and
     Rights in our homelands today referred to as British Columbia and exercise our authorities
     in making this Declaration. We welcome other First Nations not present today to adhere
     to this Declaation if they so choose.

     Signed by First Nations leaders on November 29,2007


                                                       11.

                       SECWEPEMC LEADERSHIP ACCORD

 WHEREAS the SECWEPEMC people in SECWEPEMCULL'UW are respecting and recogniz
 ing our collective Aboriginal title, rights and interests and:

 Whereas we recognize our collective relationship to each other via kinship ties that are over
 10,000 years old and:

 Whereas the seventeen (17 ) Chiefs of SECWEPEMC in SECWEPEMCULL'UW. are dedicated
 to promoting and supporting the efforts of SECWEPEMC to affirm and defend Aboriginal title
 and Rights. It is the goal of each Chief to assist each other to exercise their inherent title and
 rights and by holding the Crown to its obligation to honour and respect our title and rights
 and:

 Whereas the Chiefs have developed relationships through sharing, information exchange,
 dialogue and respect for and recognition of each other's interests: we desire to build upon
 these relationships by affirming our mutual respect for and recognition of each other's
 respective mandates and establishing a formal, ongoing political process to work
 cooperatively together to advance the interests of SECWEPEMC in SECWEPEMCull'UW
 and the world:

  Whereas the Chiefs of the 17 communities of the SECWEPEMC Nation have signed
   agreements in the past: in 1910 the Memorial to Sir Wilred Laurier and 1911 the
   Memorial to Minister Frank Oliver all " All Our Relatons " A Declaration of Sovereign
   Indigenous Nation of BC November 29th 2007 and " One Heart One Mind": Statement
   of Solidarity & Cooperation for our Children July 23rd 2008:

   THEREFORE in the spirit of mutual respect and continued cooperation the Chiefs agree
   as follows:

   1.0  Purpose of Accord
   1.1. The purpose of this Accord is to:
         a) Affirm mutual respect, recognition and support of each of the Cheifs for one
             another.
          b) Each session shall be held on the land with Elders, Council members and
              community members in attendance whenever possible
          c). Each Year the Chiefs will report back to the people during the Annual Secwepec
               Gathering on the critical events and decisions reached throughout the year.
          d).  All Meetings shall have ceremony as an integral part of the gathering of the
                Chiefs
           e)  There shall be an annual gathering of all Chiefs and all Council member with
                 Elders.
            f).  Agenda items for each session

                    1) Title and Rights
                    2) Self- Government: Peace. Order and Good Government
                    3) Jurisdiction, National
                    4) Economy: rooted in Tradition and Custoin:
                                - lnternational
                                - lnnovative
                                - Multifaceted
                                - Self- Reliant in our " Ranch "

                5) Cutural. Traditional, and Customs:
                           - Language, values, stories.
                                - Education
                            - Training in our seasonal round of life
                 6) Social
                              - National reconstruction
                 7) Co- existence
                              - Mutual respect and trust
                                     - Reciprocity
                3.0 Chairpersons
                3.1 There shall be two co- chairpersons one from the northern Seswepemc
                      communities and one from the central and southern SECWEPEMC
                      communities.
                 3.2 There shall be a record of all meetings that will be reported out in the
                        people via the SECWEPEMC News and other community based media.
                 3.3 The respective Tribal Council organizations shall act as the secretariat
                       for the SECWEPEMC Leadership Summit gatherings

                 4.0 National representation for specifie issues and strategies.
                 4.1 There shall be representation from Norther. Central and Southern communities.
                 4.2 lf there are independent communities who are separate from any political
                       affiliation then the respective geographical Tribal Administration shall keep
                       them involved as an integral part of the issues being discussed by ensuring
                       all information and decisions wherever possible include their voice.
                 4.3 When Chiefs are appointed it their respective duty to report out to their
                        fellow Chiefs.

                   5.0 Laws shall be based upon SECWEPEMC  oral history

                   5.1 The Chiefs shall enact National laws to ensure that Secwepemcull'uw
                          is protected for future generations.

                        Signed this day     of July, 2008


     1. INHERENT RIGHTS AND POWERS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

            " One hundred years next year they ( white people ) came amongst us here at
         Kamloops and erected a trading post... When they first came among us there
         were only lndians here. They found the people of each tribe supreme in their own
         territory, and having tribal boundaries
                                                                     known and recognized by all".
                                 Memorial of the lnterior Chiefs to Sir Wilfrid Laurier ( August 25, 1910 )

      1. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we are the original peoples of our territories. In
          our own languages we call ourselves " the people " of the land, our names tell us
          where we come from. We are one with the land. We govern and own our territories
          based on our deep- rooted connection to our territories. We, as the current
          generation of lndigenous Peoples have inherited our lands, resources and political
          systems from our ancestor by birth. It is our responsibility to protect our inherent
          powers and rights for future generations. The inherent rights and powers of
          Indigenous Peoples,including lndigenous legal systems, are inalienable. These
          rights cannot be transferred or taken away from us.

       2. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we have the right to self-determination which
           means we freely and independently determine our own political, legal, economic,
           social and cultural systems without external interference. We have our own political
           status and we have created our own forms of political representation. Any decisions
           about the exercise of inherent rights and powers of lndigenous Peoples must be
           taken by each people collectively according to our their beliefs, worldviews, priorities,
           traditions and aspirations about the future.
        3. As lndigenous Peoples and nations,we have established relationships with other
            Indigenous Peoples through trade and commerce, issuing declarations,creating
            protocols. This includes recognition of each other's territories and sovereignty,
            peacemaking and settlements, creating treaties and forming alliances with each
            other since time immemorial. This is based on our lndigenous concepts of sharing
            and reciprocity. Our inherent powers and rights sustain good relations with our
            neighbours.
          4. Our legal status as lndigenous Peoples and nations predates contact with Europeans.
             It supersedes any assertion or assumption of sovereignty by states such as Britain or
             Canada. We have territorial integrity and sovereignty, but unlike states' our is
             Iegitimate and not based on colonial doctrines. This means that the Canadian state,
             for example, must obtain our free prior and informed consent as lndigenous Peoples
             before doing anything that affects our lands and resources. In the Canadian context,
             especially in British Columbia, the inherent power and rights of lndigenous Peoples
             have been disrespected and denied through deliberate colonial laws and policies of
             Canadian governments.
           5. Our generation continues the legacy of ensuring that there is reinstatement and
               restitution for the history of Crown/ industry/ individual conduct that has:
                   . denied our inherent power and rights as lndigenous Peoples;
                   . dispossessed us of our land and resources;
                   . violated our human rights; and
                   . Interfered with the free exercise of our sovereignty and rights to self-
                     determination.
              6. Canadian courts have only recognized minimal aspects of our inherent powers
                  and rights based on their interpretation of Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.
               7. As lndigenous Peoples and nations, we remain colonized by Canada. Our human
                   and lndigenous rights under international law continued to be violated. We must
                   understand how and by what methods Canadian laws and policies have wreaked
                   havoc of our traditional land and decision-making systems. And through acts of
                   decolonization,being self-determining, and exercising our inherent powers or
                   sovereignty, we must begin to untangle ourselves from colonization by Canada.
                   We must critically assess any new attempts to extinguish our inherent power
                    and rights through federal or provincial policies, laws and the Canadian
                   constitutional framework. We must be careful not to provide our free, prior and
                    informed consent to any initiatives that systemically and blatantly undermine
                   our inherent powers and rights.
                 8. Decolonization for our peoples will require:
                          . the exercise of our inherent political and legal powers in our territories;
                          . implementation of international human rights; and
                          . constitutional and policy reform based on lndigenous rights standards.
                  9. Decolonization is necessary so that our future generations can live in
                       sustainable ways in co-existence with other people's on this planet. We must
                      continue to call for the free exercise of our political diversity and protect the
                      biodiversity of our territories.

                A. Our lnherent Political Status as lndigenous Peoples
                     They treat us as subjects without any agreement to that effect, and force their
                     Iaws on us without our consent and irrespective of whether they are good for
                     us or not. They say they have authority over us. They have broken down our
                     old laws and customs ( no matter how good ) by which we regulated ourselves,
                                     Memorial of the lnterior Chiefs to Sir Wilfrid Laurier ( August 25,1910 )

                 10. As lndigenous Peoples, our political status is equal to all other peoples in the
                       world. We possess the inherent power to govern our nations and territories.
                       International law has recognized that, as indigenous Peoples, we have the
                       collective right to self- determination.
                  11. Self- determination includes decision-making methods and processes that
                        we have developed over time and are shaped by our experiences, the
                        birthing of or institutions such as the clan, hereditary, and kinship systems,
                        potlatch, ceremonies, and our relationship to our territories. We do not
                        trespass, nor interfere with neighbouring peoples' business. We are the only
                        ones who can make decisions regarding our territories. Political decisions
                        that relate to matters affecting other peoples as well as our own, must be
                        deliberated upon internally first, and then negotiated with other peoples
                        through mechanisms to ensure peace, trade and transfer of knowledge
                        and for our cultural distinctiveness.
                    12. Our political systems and relationships to our territories are not structured
                         like states with central administration governments making decisions on
                         behalf of their citizens based on representational democracy. The flexibility
                         and decentralized governance systems we have allow for fluid and inter-
                         connecting relations internally or with other lndigenous Peoples, Our
                         systems require that our people fully participate in all decision that affect
                         them and their territory. Canadian governments must deal with the
                         legitimate political representative of our peoples.
                    13. In the past, deliberate attempts by colonial powers to destroy our inherent
                          political  powers, included:

                             . the imposition of the lndian Act, which meant to suppress traditional
                               governance:
                               the potlatch ban; defining lndian status and menbership; and the
                               undermining of lndigenous women's role in political decision-making;
                             . attempts by religious institutions to convert our peoples to Christianity
                               and undermine our methods of decision-making and leadership,
                             . imposition of provincial laws and regulations regarding land, resources,
                               wildlife; and
                             . state's denial of meeting with our inherent political leaders within our
                               traditional forms of governance.

              14. We draw our power and rights from our inherent political system, we cannot
                     draw it from colonial systems. The proper rights holder for the purposes of
                    Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution must be determined by lndigenous
                    Peoples. The proper rights holder cannot derive their power from federal or
                    provincial laws; it has to be determined according to our own political systems.
                    Provincial political organizations cannot claim that they are the proper title and
                    rights holder. They cannot represent our peoples and make decisions regarding
                    our Aboriginal Title and Rights as they are not the proper rights holder.
               15. The current work of the First Nations Leadership Council on the implementation
                     of the " new relationship" infers that they can make decisions on behalf of
                     lndigenous Peoples. By working with the province they operated under the
                     assumption that the province controls all unceded and surrendered lndigenous
                     territories in the absence of proof of title. The province's objective in enacting
                     recognition legislation is to support their claim of provincial jurisdiction over
                     lndigenous lands and to provide certainty for investors under the pretence of
                     recognition of " pre-existing " interests, rights and title.
               16. This is a new form of colonization: The First Nations Leadership Council
                     worked with provincial representatives to implement the province's objective
                     of jurisdiction and certainty in relation to our rights. The federal and provincial
                     governments are working with political organizations who claim to engage on
                     a " government to government level " by:

                      . creating initiatives and commitments for maintaining provincial legislative
                        and administrative control  over our territories and resources;
                      . delineating our territorial boundaries for government certainty/extinguishment;
                         and
                      . creating " political/economic or corporate structures" that advise, engage
                        and make agreements with governments like British Columbia undermining
                        the requirement for free prior informed consent of indigenous Peoples to
                        any developments in our traditional territories.

                   17. The colonial attempts to displace our inherent political decision-making
                         systems so that Canadian political structures can permanently shape all
                         decisions made about lndigenous Peoples and our territories most stop!

                    18. These initiatives by the provincial political organizations do not answer the
                          land and jurisdiction question that our ancestors over a hundred years ago.
                          Rather than being advocates and supporters for inherent rights of lndigenous
                          Peoples, the political organizations have become complicit in the denial and
                          assimilation of our inherent powers and rights.

             B. lndigenous Peoples Teritorial / Land Systems Based On lndigenous Laws

                 We claim the sovereign right to all country of our tribe-this country is our which we
                 have held intact from the encroachments of other tribes, from time immemorial, at
                  The
                   cost of our own blood. We have done  because our live depended on our country.
                      We
                        have never treatied with them, not given them any such title. ( We have only
                       lately learned the B C government makes this claim and that it has for long
                        considered its.   
                                                  property all the territories of the lndian tribes in B C).
                                                     Tahltan Declaration, October 18,1910


             19. Our creation stories tell us that we came from our lands and source our identity
                   as peoples and nations. We have our own distinct traditional land systems that
                   set out responsibilities to take care of the land. Our future generation will
                   inherent this sacred legacy.
             20. Our land systems set out our territorial boundaries and place names. We govern
                   our territories according to our own laws and teachings. Our inherent powers,
                   legal systems and rights alone determine that we are legitimate owners of our
                   lands, resources and territories. We have dispute resolution processes that are
                   formal and informal. Based on diplomatic experiences, we have often successfully
                  reached agreement with our neighbouring peoples about how to regulate our
                  borders and ensure sustainability.
              21. Our distinct land systems have been designed to maintain sufficient access to
                  resources to sustain our people, provide for trade and technology transfer ( e. g.:
                  fish weird ), while at the  same time maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.
                  Our land systems are sustainable.
              22. According to our inherent laws, the power to govern our traditional territories
                  through our land systems have not been altered by Canada's assumed or
                  asserted sovereignty. Nor have we ceded, surrendered or extinguished our
                  territorial jurisdiction to Britain or Canada.
              23. Canadian common law elements of Aboriginal Title reflect some aspects our
                  land systems. Courts have recognized that one of the sources of Aboriginal
                  Title is lndigenous laws. Courts have also recognized that Aboriginal Title can
                 be exclusive in nature or be jointly shared by lndigenous Peoples. Once recognized
                 by a court, we can govern Aboriginal Title lands. However, there are fundamental
                 distinctions between our respective inherent land systems and the proprietary
                 nature of Aboriginal Title lands under Canadian law that are incompatible with our
                 powers to govern our territories as lndigenous Peoples and nations.
               24. For example, the Crown or courts would not have the power to regulate, define,
                  or infringe our land systems based on our laws and jurisdiction. Our inherent
                  powers have not authorized such a limitation on jurisdiction over our territories.
                  Nor would our land systems be parasitic on underlying Crown title. This is a
                  colonial understanding, based on a legal fiction in Canadian law but not our laws.
                  The common law doctrine of Aboriginal Title assumes that our land rights came
                  into being at the time of the assertion of European sovereignty, and not before.
                  There is a distinction between Aboriginal Title as defined by Canadian courts and
                  lndigenous land systems based on our inherent rights and powers.
                25. Under common law, Aboriginal Title can be surrendered to the federal Crown
                  for compensation. Under many lndigenous land systems, our territories are
                  inalienable. The current understanding of the common law doctrine of Aboriginal
                  Title, presumes that the Canada is the sovereign over our lands. Courts have
                  considered Aboriginal Title without a full hearing on the issue of our inherent
                  political status and jurisdiction. To ask us to surrender, extinguish, modify or
                  subject our inherent power and rights in relation to our territories through
                  provincial legislation, regulation, policies and negotiation mandates would
                  provincial legislation, regulation, policies and negotiation mandates would
                  perpetuate a great injustice towards us. Solving the land question is not about
                  being forced to accept that our land systems now continue as title rights that
                  function and are limited within Canadian jurisdiction and laws. Rather, the
                  starting point should be how we ensure respect for our land systems within a
                  a context of self-determination of our peoples and co-existence with others
                  through decolonization.

                   11. UN DECLARATION ON RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS
                           PEOPLES AS THE MINIMUM STANDARD

            A. Self - Determination
                                 lndigenous Peoples have the right to self- determination. By virture
                                  of that right they freely determine their political status and freely
                                   pursue their economic, social and cultural development
                               UN Declaration on the Rights of lndigenous Peoples- Article 3

                 26. At the international level, there has been movement to respect our inherent
                     political status as peoples with rights to self- determination. The 2007 United
                     Nations Dedlaration on the Rigths of lndigenous Peoples ( UNDRIP ) contains
                     minimum standards and norms that can be the starting point for decolonizing
                     the state-lndigenous Peoples relationship.UNDRIP recognize that lndigenous
                     Peoples are subjects of international law and have the right to self
                     determination. In order for Canada to overcome colonial laws and policies,
                     it has to endorse and implement the principles set out in the UN Declaration
                     on the Rights of lndigenous Peoples.
                  27. UNDRIP also recognizes our inherent rights as flowing from our political,
                      economic and social structures and from our cultures, spiritual traditions,
                      histories and philosophies, especially our rights to our lands, territories and
                      resources. We, as lndigenous Peoples, are the representatives of our inherent
                      powers and rights. We, as lndigenous Peoples are the proper right holders
                      for our right to self- determination. We, as lndigenous Peoples possess
                      jurisdiction and sovereignty to make decisions about our respective peoples
                      and our territories. No state governing structure, organization or other
                      political structure holds that power. While Canada has refused to endorse
                      UNDRIP, it is an international standard that the world community has set
                      and states are bound by its principles.Canada must recognize the UNDRIP
                      standards for decolonization remedies and substantive measures to ensure
                      that our distinct political status is respected.


                                                                    12.

                                            INTERIOR  ALLIANCE
                                            Southern  Carrier
                                            St'at'imc  SECWEPEMC
                                            Nlaka'pamux  Okanagan

                                           c/o Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
                                           Suite 304-355 Yellowhead  Highway
                                           Kamloops British Columbia, v2H  1H1
                                           Tel  : ( 250 )  828-9789  Telec - (  250 ) 374-6331


                       WATER  IS  LIFE :  PROTECT  WATER  NOW!
                             Indigenous  Declaration  on  Water
                             July 8th,  2001 Musqeam  Territory

As Indigenous Peoples, we raise our voices in solidarity to speak for the protection of Water.
The Creator placed us on this earth, each in our own sacred and traditional lands,to care for
all of creation. We have always governed ourselves as Peoples to ensure the protection and
purity of water. We stand united to follow and implement our knowledge, laws and self-
determination to preserve Water, to preserve life. Our message is clear: Protect Water Now!

As lndigenous Peoples, we recognize, honour and respect Water as a sacred and powerful
gift from the Creator. Water, the first living spirit on this earth, gives life to all creation. Water
Powerful and pristine, is the lifeblood that sustains life for all peoples, lands and creation. We
know that by listening to the songs of the water, all creation will continue to breathe. Our
Knowledge, laws and way of life teach us to be responsible at all times in caring for this
sacred gift that connects all life. In ceremony and as time comes, the Water sings. Her songs
begin in the tiniest of steams, transforms to flowing rivers, travels to majestic oceans, and
thundering clouds, and back to the earth, to begin again. When Water is threatened, all living
things are threatened. Our hearts cry when we see the ways in which people, through
governments and multinational corporations, destroy the Water in their greed. As Water has
given us life,we must fight for the life of Water. We must continue to hear her songs and 
protect this sacred gift from the Creator. We must be prepared.

In this time, we see that our Waters are being polluted with chemicals, pesticides, sewage,
disease and nuclear waste, We see our Waters being depleted or converted into destructive
uses through the diversion of Water systems to different lands, unsustainable economic,
resource and recreational development, the transformation of excessive amounts of Water
into,energy, and the treatment of Water as a commodity, a property interest, that can be
bought, sold and traded in global and domestic economies. We see our Waters governed
by imposed foreign, colonial and inhumane laws and practices that disconnect us as
Peoples from the ecosystem. These laws do not,respect that life is sacred, that Water is
sacred.

Throughout lndigenous territories worldwide, we are witnessing the increasing scarcity of
 fresh Waters and the lack of access that we and other life forms such as the land, forests,
 animals, plants, marine life, and air have to our Waters, In these times of scarcity, we see
 governments creating commercial interests in Water that lead to inequities in distribution
 and prevent our access to the life giving nature of Water. When Water is disrespected,
 misused and poorly managed, we see the life threatening impacts on all of creation. We
 know that our Rights to Self- Determination, jurisdiction, knowledge and laws to protect
 the Water are being disregarded, violated and disrespected, We hear the sad and painful
 songs of the Water, of the land and our peoples. We hear the Waters call for protection
 now.
 As lndigenous Peoples, we express our power, to protect the Water and call on all others
 concerned to open your minds and hearts and listen to our protection song, our message
 and support the call for actions that follow.

 We recognize that Water is a sacred gift from the Creator that gives, sustains and nurtures
 all life on earth. We recognize the need to share our understanding that Water is sacred
 and essential for the survival of all life on earth.
 We recognize that as stewards of the lands and waters, and as sovereign peoples who will
 never sell nor trade their rights to Water, we lndigenous peoples retain inherent rights and
 responsibilities to protect Water.

 We recognize that our knowledge and sustainable practices are essential links to the
 protection of Water. We recognize lndigenous governments and their jurisdiction to
 develop laws and treaties to protect Water.
 We support the implementation of lndigenous legal systems in this effort. To retain our
  connection to Waters, we must have the right to make decisions about Waters at all
  levels.
  We resolve to communicate and express our power, our common interest to protect
  Water and life, through the building of Water alliances and networks worldwide.
  We support all lndigenous peoples and grass roots movements that organize to protect
  Water based on their ancestral teachings and laws, and who also respect the role of
  Indigenous elders, women and youth the protect Water.
  We call for the creation of an international monitoring body to track the trade of Water
  in relation to lndigenous peoples.
  We resolve to use and develop indigenous, domestic and international mechanisms to
  hold corporations,domestic governments and international financial institutions such as
  the World Bank and the lnternational Monetary Fund accountable for their actions that
  threaten the integrity of Water, our land and our peoples. Systems of restoration and
  compensation have to be put in place to restore the integrity of water and eco -systems.   

  We seek support and solidarity for the opposition to any free trade agreements the purport
  to privatize Water and trade Water as a commodity, including the North American Free
  Trade Agreement and the  proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
  We endorse declarations and treaties that enshrine the goals stated above such as the
  Cochabamba Declaration and the Treaty initiative of the Council of Canadians representing
  genuine efforts by concerned citizens, comminities and grass-roots peoples to protect
  water.
  On this 8th day of July, 2001, the international community and indigenous peoples
  assembled at the lnternational Conference on Water for People and Nature organized by
  the Council of Canadians, endorsed the lndigenous Declaration on Water.


                      STATEMENT OF THE ALLIED INDIAN TRIBES OF
                       BRITISH COLUMBIA FOR THE GOVERNMENT
                                  OF BRITISH COIUMBIA

          PART 1.-- GENERAL INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

             The Statement prepared by the Committee appoint by the Confernce
          held at Vancouver in June, 1916, and sent to the Government of Canada
          and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, contained the following:

             " The Comittee conclude this statement by asserting that,
         " while it believed that all of the lndian tribes of the Pro-
         " Vince will press on to the Judicial Committee, refusing to
         " consider any so called settlement made up under the Mc
         " Kenna  Agreement, the Committee also feels certain that the
         " tribes allied for that purpose will always be ready to co-
         " sider any really equitable method of settlement out of court
         " which might be proposed by the Government, "

              A resolution, passed by the lnterior Tribes at a meeting at
           Spence' s Bridge on the 6th December, 1917, contained the
           following:-

                 " We are sure that the governments and a conisderable number
          " of white men have for many years had in their minds a cutie wrong
             idea of the claims which we make, and the settlement which we
          " desire. We do not want anything extravagant, and we do not want
             anything hurtful to the real interest of the white people.
          " We want that our actual rights be determined and recognized. We
             want a settlement  based  upon justice We want a full opportunity
             of making a future for  ourselves.
          " We want all this done in such a way  that in future we shall be able
             to live and work with the white people as our brothers, and fellow
             citizens,"

                Now we have been informed by our Special Agent that the
            Government of British Columbia desires to have form us a statement
            further explaining our mind upon the subject of settlement, and in
            particular stating the grounds upon which we refuse to accept as a
            settlement the findings of the Royal Commission on lndian Affairs for
            the Province of British Columbia, and what we regard as necessary
            conditions of equitable settlement.

                In order that our mind regarding this whole subject may be under-
           stood, we desire first to make clear what is the actual present position
           of the lndian land controversy in the Provine of British Columbia.

               Throughout practically the whole of the rest of Canada, tribal owner-
           ship of lands has been fully acknowledged, and all dealings with the
           various tribes have been based upon the lndian title so acknowledged.

                It was long ago conceded by Canada in the most authoritative way
           possible that the lndian tribes of British Columbia have the same title.
           This is proved beyond possibility of doubt by the report of the Minister
           of Justice, which was presented on January 19, 1875, and was approved
           by the Governor-General in Council on January 23, 1875. We set out the
           following extract from that report:

            " Considering then these several features of the case, that
           " no surrender or cession of their territorial rights, whether
           "  the same be of a legal or equitable nature, has been ever
           ". executed by the lndian Tribes of the Province-- that they
           ". allege that the reservation of land made by the Government
           ". for their use have been arbitrarily so made, and are totally
           ". inadequate to their support and requirements and without
           ". their assent -- that they are not averse to hostilities in order
           ". to enforce rights which it is impossible to deny them, and
           ". that the Act under consideration not only ignores those
           ". rights, but expressly prohibits the lndians from enjoying the
           ". rights of recording or pre-empting land, except by consent
            ". of the Lieutenant- Governor; the undersigned feels that he
            ". cannot do otherwise than advise that the Act in question is
            ".  objectionable as tending to deal with lands which are as-
            ".  sumed to be the absolute property of the Province, an as-
            ".  sumption which completely ignores as applicable to the ln-
            ".  dians of British Columbia, the honor and good faith with
            ".  which the Crown has in all other cases since its sovereignt
             ".  of the territories in North America dealt with their various
             ". Indian Tribes

                 " The undersigned would also refer to the British North
              ". America Act, 1867, section 109, applicable to British Colum-
              ". bia, which enacts in effect that all lands belonging to the
              ". Province, shall belong to the Province, 'subject to any trust
              ". existing in respect thereof, and to any interest other than
              ". that of the Province in the same.'
                     ,       
                   " That which has been ordinarily spoken of as the ' lndian
              ". title' must of necessity consist of some species of interest in
              ". the lands of British Columbia.      

                     " If it is conceded that they have not a freehold in the soil,
               "  but that they have an usufruct , a right of occupation or
               ". possession of the same for their own use, then it would seem
               ". that these lands of British Columbia are subject, if not to a
               ". trust existing in respect thereof,' at least to an interest
               ". other than that of the Province alone,'"

                       Since the year 1875, however, notwithstanding to report of
                  the Mnister of Justice then presented and approved, local
                  governments have been unwilling to recognize the land rights
                  which were then recognized by Canada, and the two Govern-
                  ments that entered into the McKenna-McBride Agreement
                  failed to recognize those land rights.

                      If now the governments should be willing to accept the
                 report and Order- in-Council of the year 1875 as deciding the
                 land controversy, they would thereby provide what we regard
                 as the only possible general basis of settlement other than a
                 judgment of the Judicial Committee of His Majesty's Privy
                 Council.            

                     By means of the direct and independent petition of the
                 Nishga Tribe, we now have our case before His Majesty's
                 Privy Council. We claim that we have a right to a hearing,
                 a right which has now been made clear beyond any possibility
                 of doubt. Sir Wilfrid  Laurier; when Prime Minister, on behalf
                 of Canada, met the lndian Tribes of Norther British Columbia,
                 and promised without any condition whatever that the land
                 controversy would be brought before the Judicial Committee.
                 Moreover , the Duke of Connaught, acting as His Majesty's
                 representative in Canada, gave positive written assurance
                 that if the Nishga Tribe should not be willing to agree to the
                 findings of the Royal Commission, His Majesty's Privy Council
                 will consider the Nishga petition. In view of  Sir Wilfrid Laurier's
                 promise, and the Duke of Connaught's assurances, both of
                 which confirm what we regard as our clear constitutional right,
                 we confidently expect an early hearing of our case.

                     Before concluding these introductory remarks, we wish to
                speak of one other matter which we think very important. No
                settlement would, we are very sure, be real and lasting unless
                it should be a complete settlement. The so-called settlement
                which the two governments that entered into the McKenna-
                McBride Ageement, have made up is very far indeed from being
                complete. The report of the Royal Commission deals only with
                Iands to be reserved. The reversionary title claimed by the Province
                is not extinguished, as Special Commissioner McKenna said it would
                be . Foreshores have not been dealt with. No attempt is made to adjust
                our general rights, such as fishing rights, hunting rights and water rights.
                With regard to fishing rights and water rights, the Commissioners admit
                 that they can make nothing sure. It is clear to us that all our general
                rights, instead of being taken form us as the McKenna-McBride
                Agreement attempts to do by describing the so-called settlement there-
                by arranged as " a final adjustment of all matters relating to lndian
                affairs in British Columbia" should be preserved and adjusted. Also
                we think that a complete settlement should deal with the restrictions
                imposed upon lndians by Provincial Statutes and should include a
                revision of the lndian Act.

                   Now, having as we hope made clear the position in which we stand,
                and from which we look at the whole subject, we proceed to comply
                with the desire of the Government of British Columbia.

                        PART II. -- REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION

                                   Introductory Remarks

                      The general view held by U.S. the report of the Royal Commission,
                 was correctly stated in the communication sent by the Agents of the
                  Nishga Tribe to the Lord President of His Majesty's Privy Council on
                  27th  May, 1918.

                      We now have before us the report of the Royal Commission,  and
                  are fully informed of its contents, so far as material for the purpose
                  of this statement . The report has been carefully considered by the
                  Allied Tribes, upon occasion of several meetings, and subsequently
                  by the Executive Committee of the Allied  Tribes.

                      Two general features of the report which we consider very
                  unsatisfactory are the following:--

                 1.  The additional lands set aside are to a large extent of
                    inferior quality, and their total value is much smaller than
                    that of the lands which the Commissioners recommend
                    shall be cut off.

                  2.  In recommending that reserves confirmed and additional
                    Iands set aside be held for the benefit of bands, the Comm-
                    issioners proceeded upon a principle which we consider err-
                    onerous as all reserved lands should be held for the benefit
                    of the Tribes.


                                    Grounds of Refusal to Accept

                 In addition to the grounds shown by our general introductory
              remarks, we mention the following as the principal grounds upon
              which we refuse to accept as a settlement the findings of the
              Royal Commission:--

              1.  We think it clear that fundamental matters such as tribal owner-
               ship of our Territories require to be dealt with, either by concession
               of the governments, or by decision of the Judicial  Committee, before
               subsidiary matters such as the finding of the Royal Commission can
               be equitably dealt with.


              2.  We are unwilling to be bound by the McKenna-McBride Agreement,
                under which the findings of the Royal Commission have been made.


              3.   The whole work of the Royal Commission has been based upon
                 the assumption that Article 13 of the Terms of Union contains all
                 obligation of the two governments towards the lndian Tribes of
                 British Columbia, which assumption we cannot admit to be correct.

               4.  The McKenna-McBride Agreement, and the report of the
                  Royal Commission ignore not only our land rights but also
                   the power conferred by Article 13 upon the Secretary of
                  State for the Colonies..
               5.   The additional reserved lands recommended by the report.      
                   of the Royal Commission, we consider to be utterly inadequate
                   for meeting the present and future requirements of the Tribes.

                6.   The Commissioners have wholly failed to adjust the inequal-
                    ities between Tribes, in respect of both area and value of reserved
                    Iands, which Special Commissioner McKenna, in his report, pointed
                    out and which the report of the Royal Commission has proved to
                    exist.

                 7.    Notwithstanding the assurance contained in the report of Special
                    Commissioner McKenna, that " such further lands as are required
                     will be provided by the Province, in so far as Crown lands are available,"
                     the Province, by Act passed in the spring of the year 1916, took back
                     two million acres of land, no part of which ; as we understand, was set
                     aside for the lndians by the Commissioners, whose report was soon
                     thereafter presented to the governments.
                  8.   The Commissioners have failed to make any adjustment of water-
                     rights, which in the case of lands situated within the Dry Belt, is
                     indispensable.
                  9.     We regard as manifestly unfair and wholly unsatisfactory the provisions
                     of the  McKenna-McBride Agreement relating to the cutting-off and reduction
                     of reserved lands, under which one-half of the proceeds of sale of any such
                     Iands would go to the Province, and the other half of such proceeds, instead
                     of going into the hands or being held for the benefit of the tribe, would be
                     held by the Government of Canada for the benefit of all the lndians  of
                     British Columbia.            

                     PART lll -  NECESSARY  CONDITIONS  OF  EQUITABLE
                                                  SETTLEMENT
                                           Introductory   Remarks

                   1.  In the year 1915, the Nishga Tribes and the lnterior  Tribes allied with them,
                      made proposals regarding settlement, suggesting that the matter of lands to
                      be reserved be finally dealt with by the Secretary of State for the Colonies
                      and that all other matters requiring to,be adjusted, including compensation
                      for lands to be surrendered, be dealt with by the Parnament of Canada .
                      Those proposals the Government of,Canada rejected by Order-in-Council
                      passed in June, 1915, mainly upon the ground that the Government was
                      precluded by the McKenna-McBride Agreement from accepting them. For
                      particulars we refer to " Record of lnterviews," published in July, 1915, at
                      pages 21 and 105. It will be found that to some extent these proposal are
                      incorporated in this statement.

                     2.   Some facts and consideration which, in considering the matter of
                       additional lands. it is, we think, specially important to take into account,
                       are the following:--

                                                                     2.

                  ( 1 )   In the three States of Washington, Idaho and Montana, all
                        adjoining British Columbia, lndian title has been recognized,
                        and treaties have been made with the lndian tribes of those
                        States. Under those treaties, very large area of land have
                        been set aside. The total lands set aside in those three States
                        considerably exceeds 10,000,000 acres, and the per capita
                        area varies form about 200 acres to about 600 acres.

                    ( 2 ).  Portions of the tribal territories of four tribes of the Interior
                          of British Columbia extend into the States above-mentioned,
                          and thus portions of those tribes hold lands in the Colville
                          Reservation, situated in the State of Washington, and the
                          Flathead Reservation, situated in the State of Montana.

                     ( 3 ).  By treaties made with the lndian Tribes of the Provinces
                           of Saskatchewan and Alberta, there has been set aside an
                           average per capita area of about 180 acres. 

                     ( 4 )    For the five Tribes of Alberta that entered into Teaty No 7,
                           whose tribal territories all adjoin British Colmbia  having now
                           a total lndian population of about 3,500, there was set aside
                           a total area of about 762,000 acres, giving a per capita area
                           of 212 acres.

                     ( 5 )   The facts regarding the lndian Tribes inhabiting that part of
                            Northern British Columbia lying to the East of the Rocky
                            Mountains shown in lnterim Report No. 91 of the Royal
                            Commission at pages 126, 127, and 128 of the Report show
                            that the Royal Commission approved and adopted as a
                           standard for the lndians of that part of the Provnce occupying
                           Provincial lands the per capita area of 160 acres of agricultural
                           land per individual, or 640 acres per family of five, set aside
                           under Treaty No. 8.

                      ( 6 ).   As shown by the facts above stated, all the Tribes that are
                             close neighbours of the British Columbia lndians on the South
                             and East have had large areas per capita set aside for their use
                             and benefit, and the lndians inhabiting the Northeastern portion
                             of British Columbia have also been fairly treated in the matter of
                             agricultural lands reserved for them Notwithstanding that state of
                             affairs, the areas set aside for all the other British Columbia Tribes
                             average only thirty acres per capita, or from one - fifth to one---
                             twentieth of the acreage of Reserves set aside for their neighbours.

                       ( 7 )   It may also be pointed out that at one time even this small amount
                             of land was considered excessive for the needs of the lndian Tribes
                             British Columbia, as is shown by the controversy which in the year
                             1873 arose between the two Governments on the subject of acreage
                             of lands to be reserved for the lndians of British Columbia. ( See Re-
                             port of Royal Commission at pages 16 and 17. ) At that time the
                             Dominion Government contended for a basis of 80 aces per family
                             or 16 acres per capita, and the British Columbia Government cont-    
                             ended for a basis of 20 acres per family or 4 acres per capita.

                       ( 8 ).  It may further be pointed out that at that very time, while the Gov-
                             ernments were discussing the question whether each individual
                             Indian required 16 acres or 4 acres, the Provincial Government was
                             allowing individual white men each to acquire by pre-emption 160
                             acres West of the Cascades and 320 acres East of that Range, each
                             per-emptor choosing his land how and where he desired.

                        ( 9 ).   All the facts which we have above stated when taken together
                              prove conclusively, as we think, that the per capita  area of 30
                              acres recommended by the Royal Commission is utterly inadeq-
                              utter, and that a per capita area of 160 acres would be a entirely
                              reasonable standard, That conclusion is completely confirmed
                              by our knowledge of the actual land requirements of our Tribes.

                         ( 10 )   At the same time it is clear to us that, in applying that stand-
                                ard, the widely differing conditions and requirement of various
                                sections of the Province should be taken into consideration.

                          ( 11 )   We proceed to state what are the conditions and requirements
                                  of each of the sections to which we have referred.

                          ( 12 )    For that purpose we divide the Province into five sections as
                                   follows:

                              1.   Southern Coast.

                              11.  Northern Coast, together with the West Coast of Vancuver
                                    Island.

                             111  Southern lnterior.

                           IV.  Central lnterior.

                            V.   Northern lnterior.

                          In the case of Section 11. the conditions are such that the country
                       is not to any great extent agricultural. The lndians require some
                       additional agricultural land together with timber lands.

                          In the case of Section 11. the conditions are such that the country
                       is not to any great extent agricultural. The lndians require some add-
                       itional agricultural land together with timber lands.

                           In the case of Section 111. the conditions are more favourable to
                       stock raising than to agriculture. Throughout the Dry Belt irrigation
                       is an absolute necessity for agriculture. The lndians require large
                       additional areas of agricultural land.

                            In the case of Section V. the conditions are wholly unfavourable
                      to both agriculture and stock raising. The main requirement of the
                      Indians is that, either by setting aside large hunting and trapping
                      areas for their exclusive use or otherwise, hunting and trapping,
                      the main industry upon which of necessity they rely, should be fully
                      preserved for them.

                 3.   It is quite clear to us that these conditions of settlement require
                     to be considered by the Government  of Canada as well as the
                     Government of British Columbia.             


                                Conditions Proposed as Basis of Settlement

                          We beg to present for consideration of the two Governments
                      the following which we regard as necessary conditions of equit-
                      able settlement:

                   1.  That the Proclamation issued by King George 111. in the year
                     1763 and the Report presented by the Minister of Justice in the
                     year 1875 be accepted by the two Governments and established
                     as the main basis of all dealing and all adjustment of lndian land
                     rights and other rights which shall be made.

                    2.   That it be conceded that each Tribe for whose use and benefit
                       land is set aside, ( under Article 13 of the " Terms of Union " )
                       acquires thereby a full, permanent and beneficial title to the land
                       so set aside together with all natural resource pertaining thereto;
                       and that Section 127 of the Land Act of British Columbia be
                       amended accordingly.

                      3.   That all existing reserves not now as parts of the Railway Belt
                        or otherwise held by Canada be conveyed to Canada for the use
                        and benefit of the various Tribes.

                      4.   That all foreshores whether tidal or inland be included in the
                        reserves with which they are connected, so that the various
                        Tribes shall have full permanent and beneficial title to such
                        foreshores.

                       5.   That adequate additional lands be set aside and that to this
                         end a per capita standard of 160 acres of average agricultural
                         Iand having in case of lands situated within the dry belt a sup-
                         ply of water sufficient for irrigation be established, By the word
                       " standard " we mean not a hard and fast rule, but a general est-
                          imate to be used as a guide, and to be applied in a reasonable
                         way to the actual requirements of each tribe.

                        6.   That in sections of the Province in case of which the character
                           of available land and the conditions prevailing make it impossible
                           or undesirable to carry out fully or at all that standard the lndian
                           Tribes concerned be compensated for such deficiency by graz-
                            ing lands, by timber lands, by hunting lands or otherwise, as the
                            particular character and conditions of each such section many
                            require.

                          7.  That all existing inequalities in respect of both acreage and
                             value between lands set aside for the various Tribes be
                              adjusted.
                           8.  That for the purpose of enabling the two Governments to
                              set aside adequate additional lands and adjust all inequali-
                              ties there be established a system of obtaining lands inclu-     
                              ding compulsory purchase,similar to that which is being
                               carried out by the Land Settlement Board of British Colu-
                               bia.

                             9.   That if the Governments and the Allied Tribes should not
                                be able to agree upon a standard of lands to be reserved
                                that matter and all other matters relating to lands to be re-
                                served which cannot be adjusted in pursuance of the prec-
                                eding conditions and by conference between the two gove-
                                ernments and the Allied Tribes be referred to the Secretary
                                of State for the Colonies to be finally decided by that Mini-
                                aster in view of our land rights conceded by the two Gover-
                                nments in accordance with our first condition and in pursu-
                                ance of the provisions of Article 13 of the " Terms of Union"
                                by such method of procedure as shall be decided by the
                                Parliament of Canada.

                           10.   That the beneficial ownership of all reserves shall belong
                               to the Tribes for whose use and benefit they are set aside.

                           11.   That a system of individual title to occupation of partic-
                               ular parts of reserved lands be established and brought in-
                               to operation and administered by each Tribe.

                           12.    That all sales, leases and other dispositions of land or
  ,                            timber or other natural resources be made by the Govern-
                               ment  of Canada as trustee for the Tribe with the consent
                               of the Tribe and that of all who may have rights of occup-
                               ation affected, and that the proceeds be disposed of in
                               such way and used from time to time for such particular
                               purposes as shall be agreed upon between the Govern-
                               ment of Canada and the Tribe together with all those
                               having rights of occupation.

                           13.   That the fishing rights, hunting rights, and water rights
                               of the lndian Tribes be fully adjusted. Our land-rights having
                               first been established by concession or decision we are will-
                               ing that our general rights shall after full conference between
                               the two Governments and the Tribes be adjusted by enact-
                               ment  of the Parliament of Canada.

                            14.    That in connection with the adjustment of our fishing
                                rights the matter of the international treaty recently entered
                                into which very seriously conflicts with those rights be ad-
                                judged. We do not at present discuss the matter of fishing
                                for commercial purposes. However, that matter may stand.
                                We claim that we have a clear aboriginal right to take salmon
                                for food. That right the lndian Tribes have continuously exer-
                                cised form time immemorial. Long before the Dominion of
                                Canada came into existence that right was guaranteed by
                                Imperial enactment, the Royal Proclamation issued in the
                                year 1763. We claim that under that Proclamation and an-
                                other lmperial enactment, Section 109 of the British North
                                America Act, the meaning and effect of which were explained
                                by the Minister of Justice in the words set out above, all power
                                held by the Parliament of Canada for regulating the fisheries of
                                British Columbia is subject to our right of fishing. We therefore
                                claim that the regulations contained in the treaty cannot be ma-
                                de applicable to the lndian Tribes, and that any attempt to en-
                                force those regulations against the lndian Tribes is unlawful,
                                being a breach of the two lmperial enactments mentioned.

                             15.  That compensation be made in respect of the following
                                 particular matters:

                        ( 1 )   Inequalities of acreage or value or both that may be agreed
                                to by any Tribe.

                        ( 2 )  lnterior quality of reserved lands that may be agreed to by
                               any Tribe.

                        ( 3 )  Location of reserved lands other than that required agreed
                               to by any Tribe.

                        ( 4 )  Damage caused to the timber or other. natural resources
                               of any reserved lands as for example by mining or smelt-
                               ing operations.

                        ( 5 )  All moneys expended by any Tribe in any way in connect-
                              ion with the lndian land controversy and the adjustment of
                              all matters outstanding.

                         16.  That general compensation for lands to be surrendered
                               be made:

                         ( 1 )  By establishing and maintaining an adequate system of
                               education, including both day schools  and residential in-
                               dustrial schools, etc.

                          ( 2 )  By establishing and maintaining an adequate system of
                                medical aid and hospitals.

                           17.  That all compensations provided for by the two preceding
                                 paragraphs and all other compensation claimed by any Tribe
                                 so far as may be found necessary be dealt with by enactment
                                 of the Parliament of Canada and be determined and administ-
                                 ered in accordance with such enactment.

                             18  That all restrictions contained in the Land Act and other Stat-
                                 utes  of the Province be removed.

                              19  That the lndian Act be revised and that all amendment of that
                                  Act required for carrying into full effect these conditions of sett-
                                  ment, dealing with the matter of citizenship, and adjusting all
                                  outstanding matters relating to the administration of lndian aff-
                                  airs in British Columbia be made.
                               20.  That all moneys already expended and to be expended by
                                  the Allied Tribes in connection with the lndian land controversy
                                  and the adjustment of all matters outstanding be provided by
                                  the Governments.             


                                           PART  IV .  ---CONCLUDING  REMARKS

                         In conclusion we may remark that we have been fully informed on all
                    matters material to the preparation of this Statement, and have been ad-
                    vised on all matters which we considered required advice. We have cond-
                    ucted a full discussion of all points contained in the Statenment, and have
                    been careful to obtain the mind of all the principal Allied Tribes on all the
                    principal points. These discussions have taken place at various large inter-
                    tribal meetings held in different parts of the Province, together with a meet--
                    ing of the Executive Committee. As result, we think we thoroughly under--
                    stand the matters which have been under consideration. Having discussed
                    all very fully, we now declare this Statement to be the well--settled mind  of
                    the Allied Tribes

                          We have carefully limited our Statement of what we think should be
                   conditions of settlement to those we think are really necessary. We are
                  not pressing these conditions of settlement upon the Governments. If the
                   Governments accept our basis and desire to enter into negotiations
                  with us, we will be ready to meet them at any time. In this connection ,
                  however , we desire to make two things clear. Firstly, we are willing to
                  accept any adjustment which may be arranged in a really equitable way,
                  but we are not prepared to accept a settlement which will be  a mere
                  compromise. Secondly, we intend to continue sressing our case in the
                  Privy Council until such time as we shall obtain a judgment, or until such
                  time as the Governments shall have arrived at a basis of settlement
                  with us.

                        To what we have already said we may add that we are ready
                  at any time to give whatever addititional information and explan-
                  ation may be desired by the Governments for the further elucida-
                  ation of all matters embraced in our Statement.

                        We may further add that the Allied Tribes as a whole and the
                   Executive Committee are not professing to have the right and
                   power to speak the complete mind of every one of the Allied
                   Tribes on all matters, particularly those matters which specially
                   affect them as lndividual Tribes. Therefore, if the Governmnets
                   should see fit to enter into negotiation with us, it migtht become
                   necessary also to enter into negotiation regarding some matters
                   with individual Tribes

                         We certify that Statement above set out was adopted at a full
                   meeting of the Executive Committee of the Allied Tribes of British
                   Columbia held at Vancouver on the 12th day of Novermber, 1919,
                   and by the Sub--Committee of the Executive Committee on the
                   9th day of December in the same year.


                                                                         " PETER R. KELLY,"
                                                             Chairman of Executive Committee
                                                               and member of Sub--Committee.

                                                                           " J. A.  TEIT , "
                                                               Secretary of Executive Committee
                                                                and member of Sub-- Committee.


                                               PETITION  TO  PARLIAMENT
                                                           June   1926

               The petition of the Alied Tribes of British Columbia humbly showeth as
               follows:

             1.  This petition is presented on behalf of the Allied Tribes of British Columbia
              by Peter R. Kelly, Chairman duly authorized by resolution unanimously adop-
              ted by thenExecutive Committee of Allied Tribes on 19 th  December, 1925.

              2.  When British Columbia entered Confederation Section 109 of the British
              North American Act was made applicable to all public lands with certain
              specific exceptions. By virtue of the application of this Section it was enacted
              that public lands belonging to the Colony of British Columbia should belong
              to the new Province. By virtue of the application of the same Section as
              explained by the Minister of Justice in January 1875, all territorial land rights
              claimed be the lndian Tribes of the Province were preserved and it was
              enacted that such rights should be an " interest " in the public lands of the
              Province. The  lndian Tribes of British Columbia claim actual ownership in
              the sense of ownership excluding any title of the Crown. It is recognized by
              the Allied Tribes that there is in respect of all the public lands of the Province
              an underlying title of the Crown which title at least for the present purposes
              it is not thought necessary to define.

              3.  In order to make clear what is meant by an " interest " the petitioners
              quote the following words of lord Watson to be found in the lndian Claims
              Case L. R. 1897 A. C. at page 210:

                       " An interest other than that of the Province in the same appear to
                       them to denoted some right or interest in a third party independent
                       of and capable of being vindicated in competition with the beneficial
                       interest of the old Province."

               4.   The position taken by the allied Tribes was placed before parliament
                 by means of petition presented to the House of Commons on 23rd
                 March. 1920, and read in the House of Commons Andre order on 26th
                 March,1920 ( Hansard p. 825 ) and Petition presented to the Senate on
                 9th June, 1920, to all content of which two Petition beg leave to refer.

               5.   In the month of August 1910, Sir Wilfired  Laurier, having been advised
                 by the Department of Justice that lndian land controversy should be Jud--
                 icially decided, met the lndian Tribes of northern British Columbia at Prince
                 Rupert and speaking on behalf of Canada said:-


                        " l think the only way to settle this question that you have agitated for
                         years is by a decision of the Judicial Committee, and l will take steps
                         to help you."

                6.  By agreement which was entered into by the late Mr. J. A. J. McKenna,
                 Special Commissioner on behalf of the Dominion of Canada and the late
                 Premier Sir Richard McBride on behalf of the Province of British Columbia
                 in the month of September 1912, and before the end of that year was
                 adopted by both Governments, it was stipulated that by means of a Joint
                 Commission to be appointed. Iands should be added to lndian Reserves
                 and lands should be cut off form lndian Reserves. by that agreement it
                 was provided that the carrying out of tits stipulations should be a " final
                 agreement of all matters relating to lndian affairs in the Province of
                 British Columbia."

                 7.  On the 30th day of June, 1916, the Royal Commission on lndian Affairs
                 for the Province of British Columbia appointed in pursuance of the agree--
                 ment  above mentioned issued Report which was place in the hands of
                 both Governments.

                  8.  In the month of September, 1916, the Duke of Connaught, acting as his
                   Majesty's Representative in Canada and in response to letter which had
                   been addressed to him on behalf of the Nishga Tribes and the lnterior
                   Tribes, gave assurances communicated by His Secretary to the General         
                   Counsel of allied Tribes in the following words:-

                         " His Royal highness has interviewed the Honourable Dr. Roche with
                         reference to your letter of the 29th May and your interview with me
                         and I am commanded by his Royal Highness to state that he considers
                         it is the duty of the Nishga Tribe of lndians to await the decision of the
                         Commission, after which if they do not agree to the conditions set forth
                         by that Commission, they can appeal to the Privy Council in England,
                         when their case will have every consideration. As their contentions will
                         be duly considered by the Privy Council in the event of the lndians being
                         dissatisfied with the decision of the Commission. His royal Highness is
                         not prepared to interfere in the matter at present and he hopes that you
                         will advise the lndians to await the decision of this Commission,"

                 9.  The allied Tribes have always. been and still are unwilling to be bound by
                  the agreement above mentioned and have alway been and still are unwilling
                  to accept as final settlement the finding contained in the Report of the Royal
                  Commission.

                10.   In the year 1920 the Parliament of Canada enacted the law known
                   as Bill 13 being Chapter 51 of the Statutes of that year authorizing the
                   Governor  General in Council to carry out the agreement above ment--
                   ioned by,adopting the Report of the Royal Commission. From the pre--
                   amble and the enacting words the professed purpose of the Bill appe--
                   ared to be that of effecting settlement by actually adjusting all matters.

                11. In course of debate regarding Bill 13 had in the Senate on 2nd June
                   1920 Sir James Lougheed, leader of the then Government in the Senate,
                    answering remarks of Senator Bostock by which was expressed the fear
                    that if the Bill should become law the lndians might "-- be entirely put out
                    of Court and be unable to proceed an any questions of title." gave the
                     following assurance ( Debate at Senate -- 1920 p. 475 col. 21:--

                           " l might say further honourable gentlemen, that we do,not propose
                         to exclude the claims of lndians. It will be manifest to every honourable
                         gentleman that if the lndians have claims anterior to Confederation or
                         anterior to the creation of the two Crown Colonies in the Province of
                         British Columbia they could be adjusted or settled by the lmperial
                         Authorities. Those claims are still valid. If the claim be a valid one which
                         is being advanced by this gentleman and those associated with him as
                         to the lndian Tribes of British Columbia being entitled to the whole of
                         the lands in British Columbia his Government Cannot disturb that claim.
                         That claim can still be asserted in the future."

                   12.   Upon occasion of interview had with the Executive Committee and
                      the General Counsel of allied Tribes at Vancouer  on 27 July, 1923, the
                      minister of lnterior speaking on behalf of the Government of Canada
                      conceded that the allied Tribes are entitled to secure judicial decision
                      of the lndian land controversy and gave assurance that the Dominion
                      of Canada would help them in securing such decision.

                    13.  By Order in Council passed in the month of August, 1923, the
                      Government of the Province of British Columbia adopted the Report
                      of the Royal Commission.

                      14.  By Memorandum which was presented to the Government of
                         Canada on 29th February, 1924, the allied Tribes opposed the pass-
                         ing of Order in Council of the Government of Canada adopting the
                         Report of the Royal Commission upon the ground, among other
                         grounds, that no matter whatever relating to lndian affairs in British
                         Columbia having been fully adjusted and important matters such as
                         foreshore rights, fishing rights, and water rights not having been to
                         any extent adjusted, the professed purpose of the Agreement and
                         the Act had not been accomplished.

                       15.  By Order in Council passed on 19th July, 1924, the Government
                          of Canada, acting under Chapter 51 of the Statutes of the year 1920
                          and upon recommendation of the Minister of lnterior adopted the
                          Report of the Royal Commission.

                        16.  From the Memorandum issued by the Deputy Minister of Justice
                           on 29th February, 1924, answering questions which had been sub--
                           mitted by the allied Tribes to the Government of Canada, the Order--
                           in--Council passed on 19th July, 1914, and the Memorandum issued
                           by the Deputy Minister of lndian Affairs on 9th August, 1924, it clearly
                           appears as is submitted that both the Department of Justice and the
                           Department of lndian Affairs regard the Statute Chapter 51 of the year
                           1920 as intended, not for bringing about an actual adjustment of all
                           matters relating to lndian affairs, but for the purpose of bringing about
                           a legislative adjustment of all such matters and thus effecting final
                           settlement under the laws of Canada without the concurrence or con-
                           sent of the lndian Tribes of British Columbia.

                         17.  The allied Tribes submit that so far as Section 2 being the main
                           enactment of Chapter 51 may be interpreted at being intended for
                           accomplishing the purpose above mentioned and thus bringing to
                           an end all aboriginal rights claimed by the lndian Tribes of British
                           Columbia, that enactment is in conflict with the provisions of the
                           British Columbia, that enactment is in conflict with the provisions
                           of the British North America Act.

                         18.  On the 15th January, 1925, the Executive Committee of the Allied
                            Tribes unanimously adopted the following resolution:

                               " ln view of the fact that the two Governments have passed Orders-
                               in- Council confirming the Royal Commission on lndian Affairs, we
                               the Executive Committee of the allied Tribes of British Columbia are
                               more that ever determined to take such action as may be necessary
                               in order that the lndian Tribes of British Columbia may receive justice
                               and are furthermore determined to establish the rights claimed by
                               them by a judicial decision of his Majesty's privy Council."

                           19  ln the course of debated had in the House of Commons on 26th
                               June, 1925, the Minister of lnterior speaking on behalf of the Gov-
                               ernment of Canada in answer to the representations which had
                               been made on behalf of the allied Tribes recognized that the allied
                               Tribes are entitled to obtain form His Majesty's Privy Council dec-
                                ision of the lndian land controversy and agreed that the Govern-
                                ment would give authoritative sanction for doing so.

                            20. With regard to the remark then made by the minister that the
                                Government would not be justified in providing funds unless"--
                                 something very concrete-- " should be presented, the allied
                                 Tribes submit that they have already presented" something
                                 very concrete " namely , their own conditions proposed for
                                 equitable settlement by their Statement presented to the
                                 Government of British Columbia in response to request
                                 of that Government in the month of December, 1919,
                                 and subsequently presented to Government of
                                 Canada.

                             21. With regard to the general subject of the funds which as the
                                allied Tribes claim the Dominion of Canada is under the obliga-
                                ation of providing, the allied Tribes have placed in the hands of
                                the Superintendent- General of lndian Affairs to following
                                Memorial:-

                        THE ALLIED INDIAN TRIBES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA      
                                                           to the
                        SUPERINTENDENT GENERAL OF INDIAN AFFAIRS


                By this Memorial of the allied Tribes of British Columbia it is
                     respectfully submitted as follows:

                The allied Tribes submit that the Dominion of Canada is under
                Obligation for providing all funds already expended and all
                funds requiring hereafter to be expended by the allied Tribes in
                dealing with the lndian land controversy, in establishing the
                rights of the allied Tribes, and in bringing about final adjustment
                of all matters relating to lndian Affairs in British Columbia.

              The allied Tribes so submit upon the grounds briefly stated as follows:

                1.  Well established precedent relating to judicial proceedings intended for
                  establishing the rights of lndian Tribes and in particular that of the Oka
                  case, which was carried independently to the Justicial Committee of His
                  Majesty's privy Council by the lndians interested and of which the total
                  cost was provided by the Parliament of Canada,

                 2.  The fact that the Dominion of Canada being by virtue of the British
                   North America Act and the " Terms of Union " Trustee for the lndian
                   Tribes of British Colnmbia and under all obligations arising from such
                   trusteeship has by entering into the compact with British Columbia
                   above mentioned rendered itself incompetent for taking effective action
                   establishing the rights of the lndian Tribes of British Columbia, as is
                   clearly show by the Opinion of the Minister of Justice issued in the
                   month of December 1913, and moreover has put itself in the position
                   of a party in the case upholding the contentions of the Province of
                   British Columbia, and by the acts so stated has placed upon the lndian
                   Tribes the absolute necessity of proceeding independently for establish-
                    ing their rights.             

                  3.  The principle of compensation is respect of all aboriginal land
                    and other rights of the lndian Tribes of British Columbia,
                    responsibility for which has already been conceded by the
                    Dominion of Canada, and of which as the allied Tribes submit
                    the first item consists of the full expenditure required for
                    establishing such rights of the lndian Tribes and bringing about
                    adjustment of all matters now requiring to be adjusted.

                  4.  the assurances which on behalf of the Dominion of Canada
                    have from time to time been given to the lndian Tribes of
                    British Columbia and in particular that of Sir Wilfred Laurier
                    and those of the present Minister of lnterior.

                   5.  The lands and funds held by the Dominion of Canada in trust
                    for the allied Tribes and being the beneficial property of the allied
                    Tribes.


                 Therefore the Allied Tribes now formally demand from the Dominion of
                 Canada payment of the sum of one hundred thousand dollars,being the
                  total amount of such expenditures already incurred, and further demand
                  from the Dominion of Canada that full provision be made for paying all
                  additional funds which hereafter shall be required for such expenditure,
                  as shall be agreed upon between the allied Tribes and the Dominion of
                  Canada or if necessary shall be determined by the Judicial Commitee of
                   His Majesty's Privy Council.


                        Dated at the City of Ottawa the.   June, 1926.

                                 Chairman of Exective Commitee of Allied tribes.

                    To Honourable Charles Stewart, Superintendent-General of
                     lndian Affairs, Ottawa.        


              22.  The Gonernment of Canada having definitely agreed as is above shown
                    that the Dominion of Canada will facilitate securing from the Judicial
                    Committee of His Majesty's Privy Council decision of the lmdians land
                    controversy , the General Counsel of allied Tribes entered upon discu-
                    ssion  with the Minister of Justice regarding the particular method by
                    which the securing of such decision will be faciltated, and offered to
                    suggest for consideration of the Minister of Justice common ground
                    which might be reached by the Government of Canada and the allied
                    Tribes in connection with the carrying forward of the independent
                    judicial proceedings of the allied Tribes.

                23.  In presenting this Petition to the Parliament of Canada as the Supreme
                    Body representing the Dominion of Canada the alliedTribes declare that,
                    while it is necessary for them to demand what they consider to be their
                    rights from both the Province of British Columbia and the Dominion of
                    Canada and even to contest the validity of an Act of the Parliament of
                    Canada, they desire and intend to act towards all Ministers of the Cro-
                    wn , all Members of both Houses of Parliament and all others concern-
                    ed in a thoroughly reasonable and conciliatory way and that their one
                    central objective is, by securing judicial decision of all issues involved,
                    to open the way for bringing about an equitable and moderate sette--
                    ment satisfactory to the Governments as well as to themselves.

                   Therefore the Petitioners pray:

                     1. That by amendment of Chapter 51 of the Statutes of the year 1920
                       or otherwise the assurance set out in paragraph 11of this Petition be
                       made effective and the aboriginal rights of the lndian Tribes of
                       British Columbia be safeguarded.

                     2.  That steps be taken for defining and settling between the allied Tribes
                        and the Dominion of Canada all issues requiring to be decided between
                        the lndian Trbes of British Columbia on the one hand and the Government
                        of British Columbia and the Government of Canada on the other hand.

                      3.  That immediate steps taken for facilitating the independent
                        proceeding of the allied Tribes and enabling them by securing
                        reference of the Petition now in His Majesty's Privy Council and
                        such other independent judicial action as shall be found necessary
                        to secure judgment of the Judicial Commitee of His Majesty's Privy
                        Council deciding all issues involved.

                       4.  That this Petition and all related matters be referred to a Special
                         Committee for full consideration.


                          Dated at the City of Ottawa, the 10th day of June, 1926.

                                                                           PETER R. KELLY

                                         Chairman of Executive Committee of Allied Tribes.     



       A may referendum on Quebec sovereignty win only 40-4-per-cent support.

 On June 10 the federal government tables a " Statement of Principles for a New Constitution"
 in the House of Commons:

 We, the people of Canada, proudly proclaim that we are and shall always be, with the help of
 God, a free and self- governing people, born of a meeting of the English and French presence
 on North American Soil which had long,been the home of our Native peoples, and enriched
 by the contribution of millions of people from the four corners of the earth, we have chosen to
 create a life together which transcends the differences of blood relationships, language and
 religion, and willingly accept the experience of sharing our wealth and cultures, while respect-
 ing our diversity. We have chosen to live together in one sovereign country, a true federation
 conceived as a constitutional monarchy and founded on democratic principles. Faithful to our
 history, and united by a common desire to give new life and strength to our federation, we are
 resolved to create together a new constitution which: shall be conceived and adopted in
 Canada, shall reaffirm the official status of the French and English languages in Canada, and
 the diversity of cultures within Canadian society, shall enshrine our fundamental freedoms,
 our basic civil, human and language rights, including the right to be educated in one's 
 language, French or English, where numbers warrant, and the rights of our native peoples,
 and shall define the anthority of parliament and of the legislative assemblies of our several
 Provinces we further declare that our parliament and provincial legislatures, our various
 governments and their agencies shall have no other purpose legislatures, our various
 governments and their agencies shall have no other purpose than to strive for the happ-
 iness and fulfilment of each and all of us.

 The government also outlines " Priorities for a new Canadian Constitution,"

 The time has come for the government of Canada and the governments of the provinces
  to join together in the task of drafting a new Canadian constitution as it enters upon that
  task, the government of Canada is dedicated to a full review of all constitutional measures
  now applying to our federation. The whole task constitutes a great enterprise and will take
  time to achieve. Not all of it can be accomplished at once, nor can we wait until all of it is
  done to demonstrate to the people of it can be accomplished at once, nor can we wait
  until all of it is done to demonstrate to the people of Canada that trngible progress is being
  made.The government of Canada believes, there fore , that intensive work should now
  being on a list of items of particular priority to the people of Canada and to governments,
  with  


                                                         13.


1.  ABILITY OF THIS COURT TO INTERFERE WITH THE FACTUAL FINDINGS MADE BY
THE TRIAL JUDGE
(3)  WHAT IS THE CONTENT OF ABORIGINAL TITLE HOW IS IT PROTECTED BY S. 35(1)
AND WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR ITS PROOF [4] WHETER THE APPELLANTS MAADE OUT
A CLAIM TO SEIF--GOVERNMENT: AND (5) WHETHER THE PROVINCE HAD THE POWER
TO EXTINGUISH ABORIGINAL RIGTHS AFTER 1871, EITHER UNDER ITS OWN
JURISDICTION OR THROUGH THE OPERATION OF S. 88 OF THE INDIAN ACT

THE TRIAL JUDGE REFUSED TO ADMIT OR GAVE NO INDEPENDENT WEIGHT TO THESE
ORAL HISTORIES AND THEN CONCLUDED THAT THE APPRLLANTS HAD NOT
DEMONSTRATED THE REQUISITE DEGREE OF OCCUPATION FOR "OWNER -SHIP" HAD
THE ORAL HISTORIES BEEN VERY DIFFERENTE

THE CONTENT OF ABORIGINAL TITLE, HOW IT IS PROTECTED BY S, 35(1) OF THE
CONSTITUTION ACT,1982,AND THE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PROVE IT.
ABORIGINAL TITLE IS SUIGENERIS AND SO DISTINGUISHED FORM OTHER
PROPRIETARY INTERESTS,AND CHARACTERIZED BY SEVERAL DIMENSIONS. IT IS
INALIENABLE
 AND CANNOT BE  TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR SURRENDERD TO ANY-
ONE OTHER THAN THE CROWN, AN OTHER DIMENSION OF ABORIGINAL TITLE IS
ITS SOURCES: ITS RECOGNITION BY THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION, 1763 AND THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMON LAW WHICH RECOGNIZE OCCUPATION
AS PROOF OF POSSESSON AND SYSTEMS OF ABORIGINAL LAW PRE-EXISTING
ASSERTION OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY. FINALLY ABORIGINAL TITLE IS HELD
COMMUNALLY.

AT COMMON LAW THE FACT OF PHYSICAL OCCUPATION IS PROOF OF POSSESSIN
AT LAW, WHICH IN TURN WILL GROUD TITLE TO THE LAND. PHYSICAL OCCUPATION
MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN A VAIETY OF WAYS, RANGING FROM THE CONSTRUCTION
OF DWELLINGS THROUGH CULTIVATION AND ENCLOSURE OF FIELDS TO REGULAR
USE OF DEFINITE TRACTS OF LAND FOR HUNTING, FISHING OR OTHERWISE
EXPLOTING  ITS RESOURCES

IT IS PERSONAL IN THAT IT IS GENERALLY INALIENABLE EXCEPT TO THE CROWN
AND,IN DEALING WITH THIS INTEREST THE CROWN IS SUBJECT TO FIDUCIARY
OBLIGATION TO TREAT THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE TO LIVE ON THEIR LANDS AS
THEIR FOR FATHERS HAD LIVED

BY CONTRAST A GENERAL CLAIM TO OCCUPY AND POSSESS VAST TRACTS OF
 TERRITORY IS THE RIGTH TO USE THE LAND FOR A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
RELATED TO THE ABORIGINAL SOCIETY'S HABITS AND MODE OF LIFE. AS WILL
IN DEFINING THE NATURE OF "ABORIGINAL", REFERENCE NEED NOT BE MADE TO
STATUTORY PROVISIONS AND REGULATION DEALING WITH RERVE LANDS
THE "KEY" FACTORS FOR RECOGNIZING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS UNDES. 35(1) ARE
MET IN THE PRESENT CASE FIRST THE NATURE OF AN ABORIGINAL CLAIM MUST
BE IDENTIFIED PRECISELY WITH REGARD TO PARTICULAR PRACTIES, CUSTOMS
AND TRADITIONS WHEN ABORIGINAL CLAIM MUST BE IDENTIFIED PRECISELY
WITH REGARD TO PARTICULAR PRACTIRES,CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS WHEN
DEALING WITH AA CLAIM OF 'ABORIGINAL TITLE,' THE COURT WILL FOCUSON
THE OCCUPATION AND USE OF THE LAND AS PART OF THE ABORIGINAL
SOCIETY'S TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE.

SECOND AN ABORIGINAL SOCIETY MUST SPECIFY THE AREA THAT HAS BEEN
 CONTINUOUSLY USED AND OCCUPIED BY IDENTIFYING GENERAL BOUNDARIES.
 EXCLUSIVITY MEANS THAT AN ABORIGINAL GROUP MUST SHOW THAT A CLAIMED
 TERITORY IS INDEED ITS ANCESTRAL TERRITORY AND NOT THE TERRITORY OF AN
 UNCONNECTED OBORIGINAL SOCIETY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT TWO OR MORE
 OBORIGINAL GROUPS MAY HAVE OCCUPIED THE SAME TERRITORY AND THEREFORE
A FINDING OF JOINT OCCUPANCY WOULD NOT BE PRECLUDED.

THIRD THE ABORIGINAL RIGHT OF POSSION IS BASED ON THE CONTINUED  OCUPATION
AND USE OF TRADITIONAL TRIBAL LANDS SINCE THE ASSERTION CROWN
SOVEREIGNTY. HOW EVER THE DATE OF SOVEREIGNTY MAY NOT BE THE ONLY
RELEVANT TIME TO CONSIDED. CONTINUITY MAY STILL EXIST WHERE THE PRESENT
OCCUPATION OF ONE ARE A IS CONNECTED TO THE PRE-SOVEREIGNTY OCCUPATION
 OF ANOTHER ARE A.AL SO ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CLAIMING A RIGHT OF POSSESSION
 MAY PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF PRESENT OCCUPATON AS PROOF OF PRIOR OCCUPATION,
 FURTHER IT NOT NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH AAN UNBROKEN CHAIN OF COTINUITY.

FOURTH IF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CONTINUE TO OCCUPY AND USE THE LAND AS PART
OF THEIR TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE,THE LAND IS OF CENTRAL SIGINIFICANE TO THEM.
ABORIGINAL OCCUPANCY REFERS NOT ONLY TO THE PRESENCE OF ABORIGINAL
PEOPLES IN VILLAGES OR PERMANENTLY SETLED AREAS BUT ALSO TO THES USE OF
 ADJACENT LANDS ABORIGINAL CLAIM MUST BE IDENTIFIED PRECISELY WITH REGARD
 TO PARTICUL  PRACTIES, CUSTOMS AND TAD



  THE SEVEN FIRE PROPHECY PROPHECY & SUPPLEMENTRY THEORIES


A PROPHECY OF EAACH OF THESE SEVEN PERIODS WERE THEN CALLED A " FIRES "
THE TEACHINGS OF THE SEVEN FIRES PROPHECY ALSO STATE THAT WHEN THE
WORLD HAS BEEN BE FOULED AND THE WATERS TURNED BITTER BY DISRESPECT
HUMAN BEING WILL HAVE TWO OPTIONS TO CHOSE FORM MATERIALISM, IT WILL
BE THE END IT.know

                            FIRST FIRES PROPHECY

IN THE TIME OF THE FIRST FIRE,THE ANISHINABE NATION WILL RISE UP AND FOLLOW
THE SACRED SHELL OF THE MIDEWIWIN LODGE. THE MIDEWIWIN LODGE WILL SERVE
AS A RALLYING POINT FOR THE PEOPLE AND ITS TRADITIONAL WAYS WILL BE THE
SOURCE OF MUCH STRENGTH THE SACRED MEGIS WILL LEAD THE WAY TO THE
CHOSEN GROUND OF THE ANISHINABE.

YOU ARE TO LOOK FOR A TUTLE SHAPED ISLAND THAT IS LINDED TO THE PURIFIICATION
OF THE EARTH. YOU WILL FIND SUCH AN ISLAND AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF YOUR
JOURNEY. THERE WILL BE SEVEN STOPPING PLACES ALONG THE WAY.

YOU WILL KNOW THE CHOSEN GROUD HAS BEEN REACHED WHEN YOU COME TO A
LAND WHERE FOOD GROWS ON WATER.
IF YOU DO NOT, MOVE , YOU WILL BE DESTROYED.
IN HEEDING THIS PROPHECY THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLES, AFTER RECIVING GUARANTEES OF THE SAFETY OF THEIR " FATHERS" ( THE ABENAKI PEOPLE) AND THEIR
" ALLIED BROTHERS" ( MI' KMAQ ) OF HAVING THE ANLSHINABEG  MOVE INLAND AWAY
FORM THE ATLANTIC COAST, MASS MIGRATION OF THE ANISHINAABEG TOOK PLACE,
PROCEEDING TO THE" FIRST STOPPING PLACE " KNOW AS MOONIYAANG,
KNOW TODAY AS MONTREAL , QUEBEC.
THERE THE NATION FOUND A TURTLE-SHAPED ISLAND"

             MARKING BY MIIGIS ( COWRIE )  SHELLS

THE NATION GREW TO A LARGE NUMBER AND SPREAD UP BOTH OTTAWA RIVER AND
THE ST LAWRENCE RIVER, THE SECOND OF THE " TURTLE SHAPED ISLAND MARKED
BY MIIGIS SHELLS WAS AT NIAGARA FALLS.

SECOND FIRE PROPHECY

YOU WILL KNOW THE SECOND FIRE BECAUSE AT THIS TIME THE NATION WILL BE
CAMPED BY A LARGE BODY OF WATER.

IN THIS TIME THE DIRECTION OF THE SACRED SHELL WILL BE LOST, THE MIDEWIWIN
WILL DIMINISH IN STRENGTH A BOY WILL BE BORN TO PIONT THE WAY BACK TO THE
TRADITIONAL WAYS  HE WILL SHOW THE DIRECTION TO THE STEPPING STONE TO THE
FUTURE OF THE ANISHINAABE  PEOPLE.
FIRES SAY THAT THE REALIZATION OF THE SECOND FIRE CAME ABOUT THE " THIRD
STOPPING PLACE " LOCATED SOME WHERE NEAR WHAT NOW IS DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

THE ANISHINAABEG HAD DIVIDED BETWEEN THOSE WHO WENT UP OTTAWA RIVER
AND THOSE THAT WENT UP THE ST LAWRENCE RIVER AFTER LEAVING THE AREA
ABOUT NIAGARA FALLS, THIS GROUP PROCEEDED TO THE " ROUND LAKE " ( LAKE
ST. CLAIR ) AND FOUND THIRD " TURTLE SHAPED ISLAND MAKED BY MIIGIS SHELLS.
THEY CONTINUED WESTWARD UNTIL ARRIVING ALONG THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF
LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT BY THIS TIME, THE EUIDENCE OF THE MIIGIS SHELL WERE LOST,
AND THE SOUTHERN ANISHINAABEG BECAME " LOST " BOTH PHYSICALLY IN THEIR
JOURNEY, AS WELL AS WELL AS SPIRITUALLY IN THEIR JOURNEY. THE SOUTHERN
GROUP OF ANISHINAABEG DISINTERGRATED  INTO WHAT TODAY ARE THE OJIBWA
ODAWA AND THE POTAWATOMI.

THE NORTHERN GROUP ALONG THE OTTAWA RIVER DIVIDED INTO ALGONQUIN,
NIPISSING AND THE MISSISSAUGAS, BUT THEY MAINTAINED CHESION THAT WAS
NOT MAINTAINED BY THE SOUTHER GROUP EVENTUALLY, A POTAWATOMI BOY HAD
A DREAM AND POINTED THE SOUTHERN GROUP BACK TOWARDS AND PAST THE
" ROUND LAKE." THE SOUTHERN GROUP REJOINED NOT AS A SINGLE ANISHINAABE
PEOPLEHOOD BUT RATHER AS A UNIFIED ALLIANCE CALLED COUNCIL OF THREE
FIRES TRAVELLING EAST AND NORTH, AND THEN WEST, THE COUNCIL COUNCIL
CROSSED A SERIES OF SMALL ISLANDS KNOWN AS " THE STEPPING STONES "
UNTIL THEY ARRIVED ONTO MANITOULIN ISLAND DESCRIBED AS THE " FOURTH
STOPPING PLACE " OF THE " TURTLE - SHAPED ISLAND " MARKEDBY MIIGIS SHELL.

THERE ON THE ISLAND, THE COUNCIL MET UP WITH THEY MISSISSAUGAS, WHO THEN
SPIRITUALLY FULLY RE- ALIGNED THE FORMERLY LOST SOUTHERN GROUP WITH THE
NORTHERN GROUP, WHO WERE NEVER LOST.

THE ODAWA FACILITATED THE " HEALING "  AND THE ISLAND BECAME SYNONYMOS
AS THE " ODAWA'S ISLAND ," IN THE ANISHINAABE LANGUAGE.

THIRD FIRE PROPHECY

IN THE THIRD FIRE...THE ANISHINABE WILL FIND THE PATH TO THEIR CHOSEN GROUND,
A LAND IN THE WEST TO WHICH THEY MOVE THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS WILL BE THE LAND WHERE FOUD GROWS UPON THE WATERS FROM THE CULTURAL
CENTER ON MANITOULIN ISLAND, THE OJIBWE MOVED TO THE AREA ABOUT SAULT STE.
MARIE, WHERE THERE WAS THE NEXT " TURTLE SHAPED ISLAND'"MAKED BY MIIGIS
SHELL.

BAAWATING OR THE " THE RAPIDS " OF THE SAINT MARY'S RIVER  BECAME THE " FIFTH
STOPPING PLACE " OF THE OJIBWE. FROM THIS SPOT, THE OJIBWE AND THE RAPEDS
BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH EACH OTHER, WITH THE OJIBWE KNOW BY THE DAKOTA
PEOPLE AS LYO- HAHANTONWAN ( 'CASCADING- WATER FALLS PEOPLE " ) AND LATER
BY THE FRENCH AS SALILTEURS ( "CASCAADERS" ) AND SAULTEAUX CASCADES"
FROM HERE, THE OJIBWE MOVED WEST, DIVIDING INTO TWO GROUPS , EACH
TRAVELING ALONG THE SHORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR, SEARCHING FOR THE " LAND WHERE FOOD GROWNS UPON THE WATERERS."

FOURTH FIRE PROPHECY

THE FOURTH FIRE PROPHCEY WAS DELIVERED BY A PAIR OF PROHETS THIS FRIST
PROPHETS SAID ;

YOU WILL KNOW THE FUTURE OF OUR PEOPLE BY THE FACE THE LIGHT SHINNED
RACE WEARS. IF THEY COME WEARING THE FACE OF BROTHERHOOD THEN THERE
WILL COME A TIME OF WONDERFUL CHAGE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THEY
WILL BRING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND ARITCLES THAT CAN BE JOINED WITH THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THIS COUNTRY,IN THIS WAY TWO NATIONS WILL JOIN TO MAKE A
MIGHTY NATION THIS NEW NATION WILL BE JOINED.BY TWO MORE SO THAT FOUR
WILL, FOR THE MIGHTIEST NATION OF ALL.

YOU WILL KNOW THE FACE OF THE BROTHERHOOD IF THE LIGHT SKIINNED  RACE
COMES CARRYING  NO WEAPONS, IF THEY COME BEARING ONLY THEIR KNOWLEDGE
AND A HAND SHAKE.

THE OTHER PROPHET SAID :

BEWARE IF THE LIGHT SKINNED RACE COMES WEARING THE FACE OF DEATH. YOU
MUST BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE THE FACE OF BROTHERHOOD AND THE FACE OF
DEATH LOOK VERY MUCH ALIKE.

IF THEY COME CARRYING A WEAPON BEWARE.

IF THEY COME IN SUFFERING...THEY COULD FOOL YOU.

THEIR HEARTS MAY BE FILLED WITH GREED FOR THE RICHES OF THIS LAND. IF THEY
ARE INDEED YOUR BROTHERS, LET THEM PROVE IT.

DQ NOT ACCEPT THEM. IN TOTAL TRUST.

YOU SHALL KNOW THAT THE FACE THEY WEAR IS ONE OF DEATH IF THE RIVERS RUN
WITH POISON AND FISH BECAME UNFIT TO EAT.

YOU SHALL KNOW THEM BY THESE MANY THINGS.

WHILE AT. THE " FIFTH STOPPING PLACE," THE LIGHT SKINNED PEOPLE IN BIG WOUDEN
BOATS, KNOW AS THE FRENCH ARRIVED.

CONSEQUENTLY THE FRENCH WERE CALLED WEMITIGOOZHII
( WOODEN -BOAT PEOPLE" )

THOUGH THE FRENCH CROWN WAS INTERESTD IN COLONIALISM, AS FAR AS THE
ANISHINAABEG WERE CONCERNED, THE FRENCH APPEARED ONLY INTERESTED IN
COMMERCE AND TRADE THROUGH MERCANTILISM.

TOGETHER WITH THE FRENCH THE ANISHINAABEG FROMED TRADE ALLIANCES,
WHICH NOT ONLY EXTENDED FRENCH COLONIAL POWERS INTO THE HEART OF
NORTH AMERICA, BUT STRENGTHENED THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY MIGHT OF
THE ANISHINAABEG.

AFTER THE FRENCH CAME THE ZHAAGANAASH ("OFF SHORE ONES" ) OF GREAT
BRITIAN. BUT OUT OF THE ZHAAGANAASH CAME THE GICHI-MOOKOMAAN ( LE.
AMERICANS ).

FIFTH FIRE PROPHECY

IN THE TIME OF THE FIFTH FIRE... THERE WILL COME A TIME OF GREAT STRUGGLE
THAT WILL GRIP THE LIVES OF ALL NATIVE PROPLE .

AT THE WARING OF THIS FIRE THERE WILL COME AMONG THE PEOPLE ONE WHO
HOLDS A PROMISE OF GREAT JOY AND SALVATION.

IF THE PEOPLE ACCEPT THIS PROMISE OF A NEW WAY AND ABANDON THE OLD
TEACHINGS, THEN THE STRUGGLE OF THE FITTH FIRE WILL BE WITH THE PEOPLE
FOR MANY GENERATIONS.

THE PROMISE THAT COMES WILL PROVE TO BE A FALSE PROMISE ALL THOSE WHO
ACCEPT THIS PROMISE WILL CAUSE THE NEAR DESTRUCTION OF THE PEOPLE.

SIXTH FIRE PROPHECY

IN THE TIME OF THE SIXTH FIRE...IT WILL BE EVIDENT THAT THE PROMISE OF THE
FIRST FIRE CAME IN A FALSE WAY.

THOSE DECEIVED BY THIS PROMISE WILL TAKE THEIR CHILDREN AWAYS FROM
TEACHING OFTHE ELDERS, GRANDSON AND GRANDDAUGTHER WILL TURN
AGAINST THE ELDERS.
IN THIS WAY THE ELDERS WILL LOSE THIER REASON FOR LIVING!-THEY WILL LOSE
THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE.

AT THIS TIME A NEW SICKNESS WILL COME AMONG THE PEOPLE. THE BALANCE
OF MANY PEOPLE WILL BE DISTURBED.

THE CUP OF LIFE WILL ALMOST BECOME THE CUP OF GRIEF.

SEVENTH FIRE PROPHECY

THE SEVENTH PROPHET THAT CAME TO THE PEOPLE LONG AGO. WAS SAID TO BE
DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER PROPHETS.

THIS PROPHET WAS DESCRIBED AS " YOUNG AND HAD A STRANGE LIGHT IN HIS
EYES"..AND SAID;

IN THE TIME OF THE SEVENTH FIRE, NEW PEOPLE WILL EMERGE. THEY WILL RETRACE
THEIR STEPS TO FIND WHAT WAS LEFT BY THE TRAIL.

THEIR STEPS WILL TAKE THEM TO THE ELDERS WHO THEY WILL ASK TO GUIDE THEM
ON THEIR JOURNEY.

BUT MANY OF THE ELDERS WILL HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. THEY WILL AWAKEN TO THIS
NEW TIME WITH NOTHING TO OFFER

SOME OF THE ELDERS WILL BE SILENT BECAUSE NO WILL ASK ANYTHING OF THEM.

IF THE NEW PEOPLE WILL REMAIN STRONG IN THEIR QUEST THE WATER DRUM OF
THE MIDEWIWIN LOGE WILL AGAIN SOUND ITS VOICE.

THERE WILL BE A REBIRTH OF THE ANISHINABE NATION AND A REKINDING OF FLAMES
THE SACRED FIRE WILL AGAIN BE LIT.

IT IS THIS TIME, THAT THE SKINNED RACE WILL BE GIVEN A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO
ROADS.

IF THEY CHOOSE THE RIGHT ROAD THEN THE SEVENTH FIRE WILL LIGHT THE EIGHTH
AND FINAL FIRE, AN ETERNAL FIRE OF PEACE,LOVE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD.

IF THE SKINNED RACE MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE OF THE ROADS,THEN THE
DESTRUCTION WHICH THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM IN COME TO THIS COUNTRY
WILL COME BACK AT THEM...

AND CAUSE MUCH SUFFERING AND DEATH TO ALL THE EARTH"S PEOPLE.

EIGHTH FIRE PROPHECY

THE EIGHTH FIRE --IS A TERM ARISING FORM THE TEACHINGS OF THE SEVEN FIRES
PROPHECY.

THE TEACHING SUGGEST THAT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE "OF ALL COLORS AND FAITHS "--
TURN FROM MATERIALISM---

AND INSTEAD CHOOSE A PATH OF RESPECT WISDOM AND SPIRITUALITY---

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CATASTROPHE CAN BE AVOIDED.... AND AN ERA
OF SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION WILL UNFOLD.


                      DELGAMUUKW  V.  BRITISH COL.


THOSE ANCIENT WANDERERS BELIEVED THAT THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO USE THE
LAND AS WELL AS A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THIS ATTITUDE
PERSISTS TO THE PRESENT AMONG ABORIGINAL PEOPLE. DELGAMUUKW , A
CONTEMPORARY GITKSAN AND HEREDITARY CHIEF, SAID IN 1987 IN COURT ON
BEHAIF OF A MAJOR LAND CLAIMS:

EACH CHIEF HAS AN ANCESTOR WHO ENCOUNTERED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
THE LIFE OF THE LAND. FORM SUCH ENCOUNTERS COME POWER. THE LAND,
THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE HAVE THE SPIRIT- THEY ALL MUST BE SHOWN
RESPECT. THAT IS BASIS OF OUR LAW.

WE RECEIVED THESE LANDS FROM THE GREAT SPIRIT AND WE MUST HOLD
THEM FOR HIM, AS A STEWARD. A CARETAKER, UNTIL HE RETURNS BY THESE
LAW OF DELGAMUUKW V BRITISH COL.

                            HEREDITARY  CHIFE
                                  OF THE
                          GRASS ROOT PEOPLE


WHETHER PROVINE COULD EXTINGUISH ABORIGINAL RIGTHS AFTER 1871, ON
APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW-ABORIGINAL RIGHTS

SPIRITUAL PEOPLE WERE THE TRUE WARRIORS THE SUNDANCE ARE THE
CARETAKER OF THE LAND BY THE SUNDANCE CHIEF AND THE HEREDITARY
CHIEF----YOU CANNOT OVERSTEP THE TRUE SPIRITUAL PEOPLE BY THESE
LAW CANOT BE OVER CONTRA BY THE PEOPLE. TRUE SPIRITUAL PEOPLE
AND HEREDITARY CHIEF AND SUNDANCE CHIEF AND HIS TRUE WARRIORS
WHERE THE CARETAKER OF THE LAND.

                           HEREDITARY  CHIEF
                                      AND
                         SPIRITUAL PEOPLE
                               OF THE
                      GRASS ROOT PEOPLE


HEREDITARY CHIEF AND SPIRITUAL PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER
ALL THREW OUT TURTLE ISLAND TO COME BACK TO A SOVEREIGN NATION


                                                                                    SIGEN


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