First Nations: Distinct & Independent

UNDERSTANDING FIRST NATIONS

Sovereignty

As distinct and independent Nations, we possess inherent rights to self-determination. These inherent rights were not endowed by any other state or Nation, but are passed on through birthright, are collective, and flow from the connection to the Creator and our lands.

They cannot be taken away. Self-determination means we freely and independently determine and exercise our own political, legal, economic, social and cultural systems without external interference. In other words, we have jurisdiction over all aspects of our livelihood.

The land is our source of identity as Nations, and the Creator has laid out our responsibilities to these lands. Our traditional territories stretch across Turtle Island. We possess a relationship to the lands, water, and air as reflected in our ceremonies and our laws for our protection and perpetual use. These lands are different from lands reserved for Indians, whose borders were imposed by the Canadian government. We possess inherent and Treaty rights to utilize our traditional territories today.

Treaties were made to establish how Nations would co-exist, and granted rights and permission to the settlers. Treaties are agreements made between our Indigenous Nations and also with the Crown. They were negotiated on the basis of mutual respect and the principles of Peace and Friendship, and determine how lands and resources are to be shared. Treaties also outline responsibilities in areas such as education and health.

The Spirit and Intent of the Treaties refers to the original, oral agreements made between First Nations and the British Crown, agreements which were altered when written in English. All Canadians and First Nations are party to the Treaties.

Treaties are living, international agreements, which remain valid today and continue to affirm our sovereign relationships. We are and always have been original Nations that have never relinquished our title, rights, language, culture, and governance by way of Treaty to the British Crown or the successor state of Canada.

This is why we continually seek to work with State bodies on the basis of a government-to-government relationship. This is why development or utilization of lands requires our free, prior, and informed consent, or when decisions are made which may impact our inherent and Treaty rights. While Indigenous Nations are forced to use colonial systems and laws, this does not supersede our inherent rights. Indigenous Peoples have been tireless in ensuring Inherent and Treaty rights are recognized through non-Indigenous vehicles such as the Constitution Act, case law and court decisions. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is another powerful international instrument which creates the minimum standards and principles for the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and their rights.