Lheidli T’enneh First Nation made a public declaration on National Indigenous Peoples Day officially affirming its ‘Rights and Title’ to its territory.
Chief Dolleen Logan made the declaration before celebrations began at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
The declaration outlines Lheidli T’enneh’s history as a First Nation in Canada and it also states to the federal and provincial governments Lheidli T’enneh’s sovereignty over its unceded territory and any extraction of resources from its territory without free, prior and informed consent are in breach of the Nation’s inherent and inalienable rights as Indigenous people.
“For the past few years council and administration have been discussing our Nation's future and what it will take to realize our vision for the future. Before we can more forward and build a brighter future for our members and everyone else, we need to reinstate our starting point on our journey,” said Logan.
Logan said the Lheidli T’enneh has been working with their lawyer for about five years to develop the declaration.
Lheildi T’enneh Councilor Joshua Seymour then read the declaration which is addressed to Canada, British Columbia, and all those personas and nations of the world who enter its unceeded lands and territory.
“We declare that both Canada and British Columbia in their assertions of sovereignty over our unceded territory and resources and all those persons residing in developing and extracting resources from our unceded territory without formal consent, territory and resources are engaged in an ongoing breach of our inherent and inalienable rights as Indigenous people unless they have been provided the free prior and informed consent from Lheidli T’enneh for their actions,” read Seymour.
“What does this mean? In simple terms, we are and have always been owners of the territory. We have never signed away our rights or title to our territory,” said Logan.
“Many years ago, Canada and B.C. asserted sovereignty over our lands. Court decisions in recent decades have included that both governments had no right to do this. What we are saying to the public is that our declaration is what our past Chief’s and council have said for many years that Lheidli T’enneh First Nations are the rights and title holders of our lands.”
She said the declaration starting point for developing relationships with all governments and for conversations with industry and businesses proposing new projects in Lheidli T’enneh territory.
“Our hope is that our declaration will be seen by governments as industry as an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and work with us to move forward towards a positive future for our members and all who live work and play in our unceded ancestral lands,” added Councillor Crystal Gibbs.
“Our doors are open to all of those who want to develop respectful relationships and projects that provide benefits for everyone. This is our way of working with governments and industry to create a sustainable economy that will enhance the quality of life for everyone in our territory.”
Lheidli T’enneh executive director Joe Gosnell said while past councils have verbally stated the Nation's position, under the leadership of Chief Logan it has been put into writing which provides certainty for those who are considering investing in Lheidli territory.
“Some may ask why now? Lheidli T’enneh responds why not?,” said Gosnell. “Lheidli T’enneh are entering a new period of relationship building with the province and the federal government of Canada and its important they know where Lheidli T’enneh stand on the issues of land ownership title and rights.”
He said Lheidli T’enneh and the B.C. government will now work together to consider projects and new resource development which will result in less red tape and shorter project review times.
“For most people who live work and play in Lheidli T’enneh territory there is no impact from this declaration,” said Gosnell.
“It will not impact how local government does its work. The declaration simply states what Lheidli T’enneh has been saying for decades.”
He said the Nation is planning to meet with governments and industry to explain the declaration and the new way of doing business.
“For too many years the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation were bystanders when it came to major projects and new resource industries and the declaration makes it clear those days are over,” said Gosnell.
“The key objective of making this declaration is to better improve the quality of life for Lheidli members and everyone in its territory.”
