First Nations Summit stands with Nuchatlaht

Press Release

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) – The First Nations Summit fully supports the Nuchatlaht First Nation who, following a five year wait, is in BC Supreme Court this week to begin their historic case seeking recognition of their title.

First Nations’ have been fighting on the land, in the boardrooms and in the courts for countless years seeking the meaningful recognition of our inherent rights to our lands, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Canada. What we have constantly faced is fear-mongering advanced by the governments and industry groups.

We had sincerely hoped that Crown tactics would shift following the groundbreaking 2014 Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision in the Tsilhqot’in case, as well as commitments to reconciliation efforts, including through the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

The SCC decision in Tsilhqot’in put to rest at last the Crown’s impoverished view that Aboriginal title only exists in small spots and includes no substantive rights of jurisdiction. Unfortunately, what we have seen this week is that nothing has changed with Crown arguments in the courts. BC continues to use the same old arguments that belittle and use extinguishment language to deny the existence of First Nations’ rights and title.

This costly and offensive Crown tactic must stop if governments are truly committed to reconciliation. First Nations have a desire to achieve reconciliation with the Crown through honourable negotiations and partnerships. We seek respectful and principled co-existence, where our identities as pre-existing societies with land and governance rights is respected in both law and practice. Respect for and recognition of our title, rights and human rights is fundamental to achieve reconciliation. This cannot be achieved through the courts.

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The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Further background information on the Summit may be found at www.fns.bc.ca.

For further information:
Cheryl Casimer, FNS Political Executive    778-875-2157
Lydia Hwitsum, FNS Political Executive    604-868-0032
Robert Phillips, FNS Political Executive    778-875-4463

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