"This treaty has great power. It speaks to a new dawn of unity between all of our people, a reawakening that the grizzly began between Coastal First Nations in British Columbia and many Tribal Nations south of the border. This great movement of solidarity has continued and expanded at Standing Rock, and this treaty continues that heartbeat – the heartbeat of our people and our Mother Earth as one. The grizzly bear is a sacred being, an ancient teacher, and today, as one, our people are demonstrating that we have learned those lessons as we speak out and stand up for the sacred together.”
Chief Judy Wilson, Neskonlith Indian Band – Secretary & Treasurer Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
Chiefs and Councillors from the following First Nations were among the treaty signers:
Songhees,
St’at’imc,
Skidegate,
Neskonlith,
Shushwap,
Coldwater,
Malahat,
Shackan,
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Treaty Signing
Songhees First Nation, October 25
Cowichan,
Sumas,
Upper Nicola,
Lillooet Tribal Council,
Lower Nicola,
Tseshant,
Ktunaxa
Lake Babine,
Nuuchahnulth,
Nisga’a,
Tla-o-qui-aht, Secwe̓pemc,
Chawathil,
Katzie,
Skawahlook,
Shíshálh
Snuneymuxw,
Huu-ay-aht,
Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose), Nuchatlaht,
Okanagan Indian Band,
Namgis,
Aitchelitz
Tk’emlúps,
Tseshaht,
Metis, Tsawwassen, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis,
Sto:lo,
Tlowitsis,
Simpcw,
Kwakiutl,
Chief Judy Wilson Cllr Brian Jackson, BC AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Chief Stan Grier
"Others' hands have drawn boundaries between the Canada and the United States.
These arbitrary lines have not severed, and never will, the ties of kinship among our peoples. We are hereby resolved to affirm and to strengthen those bonds of mutual respect, cooperation and affection. As friends and allies, we Indigenous Peoples and Nations will go forward with
greater strength and wisdom as we interact with other governments in our region,
our hemisphere and our world."
Declaration of Kinship and Cooperation among the Indigenous Peoples and
Nations of North America (AFN/NCAI)
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