GITXSAN STATEMENT

Sept 19, 1995

The Gitxsan people are committed to exercising our aboriginal rights within our territories.

To be Gitxsan means to protect the traditional territories. Since contact, hereditary chiefs chose negotiation with Crown representatives as the preferred path to work out jurisdiction, ownership and self-government issues.

The provincial government has failed to create a consultation process which complies with the law as set out by the B.C. Court of Appeal decision regarding Delgam Uukw v. the Queen, on June 26, 1993. As a result of this failure, government representatives and agents have infringed upon the aboriginal rights of the Gitxsan with a “business as usual” approach to resource extraction on our territories. The government has taken no action to protect aboriginal rights. As a last resort to defend our territory, Gitxsan House groups initiate direct action on the land to seek a forum for proper consultation on the scope and nature of aboriginal rights.

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs are patient but determined. In continuing with their preference of negotiation over litigation or direct action, they signed the Accord of Recognition and Respect with the provincial government on June 14, 1994. At the signing , the province committed to negotiate in good faith and the Premier promised the Accord marked the beginning of a new relationship with the Gitxsan.

In the 17 months since the signing of the Accord, the hereditary chiefs have no evidence of the province living up to its commitment, nor the Premier to his promise. Instead of acting in good faith , the province used the interim forestry consultation process as a political football.

The Gitxsan people expect proper consultation between the provincial ministries and Gitxsan House groups. We demand provincial government representatives at the bilateral and trilateral tables be armed with decision making power so substantive issues can begin to be negotiated and a treaty can begin to be settled.

The Gitxsan will continue to include the government of BC in its struggle for justice. The hereditary chiefs challenge this government to examine its true motives in relationship to aboriginal people.

• Gitksan Treaty - Continuity and Vision
• Self-Government and Economic Initiatives
• Why a treaty?
• Gitxsan Treaty Transition Strategy

• back to Treaty Talks 1994-1996
• back to Treaty Talks

Home • Treaty Talks • News • Events Calendar • Delgamuukw
Gitxsan Businesses • Who We Are • Contact Us
Library • Links • Site Map • Search

This site designed and produced by BC Web