Heiltsuk Nation ratifies new constitution bridging historic governance and modern democracy

Leaders of a First Nation on the central coast are hailing a new constitution.

In signing a new constitution in an historic ceremony at the Big House in Bella Bella, the Heiltsuk Nation took a step forward – by looking to the past.

“It clarifies and creates certainty for ourselves, for other governments such as the provincial and federal government, as well as proponents that might want to do business in our territory,” Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief Frank Brown told CTV News.

The new constitution is the culmination of close to two decades of work which included extensive community consultation for on-reserve and off-reserve First Nations members.

It passed a referendum with a 67 per cent majority.

“Today we declare to the world that we, the Heiltsuk Nation, and governments, are renewing and reclaiming our ancestral laws and authority,” elected Chief Marilyn Slett said at the signing ceremony on Friday.

Over thousands of years, the Heiltsuk and other BC First Nations developed hereditary systems of governance.

Canada imposed elected chiefs and councils on them through the Indian Act.

The new Heiltsuk constitution enshrines a framework that will see power and decision-making authority shared by hereditary leadership, the elected chief and council, and the nation’s women’s council.

“It’s going to provide guidance and leadership for our next generations to be able to steer the ship of the Heiltsuk Nation, to propel ourselves forward in a good way while holding on to our ancestral teachings,” said Brown.