Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – First Nations Leaders from across British Columbia have issued a declaration affirming Aboriginal Title to their respective traditional territories across British Columbia. The declaration (attached) entitled “All Our Relations”, celebrates the victory of the Tsilhqot’in and Xeni Gwet’in peoples in last week’s important BC Supreme Court decision in Tsilhqot’in Nation v. BC.
More than 120 First Nations leaders gathered in North Vancouver this week for a First Nations Leadership Strategic Planning Session to examine the important Tsilhqot’in Nation v. BC decision and to develop a unified strategy for the recognition of Aboriginal Title.
“The government of Canada must respect the standards established by and in numerous court decisions – respecting the rule of law and negotiate on the basis of the existence of our peoples, our Aboriginal Rights and Title”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive.