NUXALK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Statement of Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs

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First of all the Nuxalk Nation would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit, for all that he
has provided since the beginning of time and still does today.

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We, the Nuxalk Nation Government, stand in the position of sovereignty against International Forest Products (Interfor) and the British Columbian and Canadian governments' unlawful trespassing and destruction of Nuxalk territory. As the Nuxalk Nation we have the sovereign right to jurisdictional rule within our territory. This right comes from Tatau, the Creator, it is not granted nor subject to the approval of any other nation. Our land has NEVER been ceded, sold or treatied. We cannot and never will ,as the Nuxalk Nation, compromise this position. It is our obligation to Tatau, the Creator, to care for and protect our lands.

Three of our hereditary chiefs of the Nuxalk Nation are presently incarcerated for resisting Interfor's destruction of Nuxalk territory at Ista (Fog Creek) on Nuxalknalus (King Island) near Bella Coola. Chiefs Nuximlaye (Lawrence Pootlass). Qwatsinas (Edward Moody), and Slicxwliqw' (Charles Nelson) were illegally arrested on September 26 along with 19 others. Our Chiefs are still being held because they will not sign conditions of release requiring them to obey a court order which would prevent them from carrying out their obligations under Nuxalk law to defend our territory from destructive logging.

"We call ourselves political prisoners. We are opposing the destruction of Ista and we stand by that. This is not an enforcement issue, it is a political, environmental and human issue." 

                                              --Chief Qwatsinas
"A long time ago, we had a number of settlements up and down the valley and on the Salt River, but the white man took possession them, and also the timber. I hear the white men are making a great deal of money out of land that formerly belonged to the Indians. If we were to go to the USA, England or any part of Canada and go on anyone's land like that I would be put in jail right away, and we would like to know why our lands have been taken from us in this way. We don't want to lose any more land than we have already lost." 
                          --Chief Suncwmay (Tom Henry), speaking in 1916
"Eventually things will come to a head here, and our natural resources will be limited in time... I notice that the wood and fish, etc. are getting scarce... When I was a boy, my father and the old men of the tribe told us to be very careful with the land and property here, not to give it away or sell it. We all discussed the matter a great deal among ourselves... The Creator gave us this land and we use this land and eat these fruits which the Creator provided... We want you to know that the fish is the same as the bank. This is where we derive our income." 
                              --Kwlhanii (Jim Pollard), speaking in 1916
OUR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED
Elder Sq'ucwlikwana (Lucy Mack) is the great grand-daughter of Chief Suncwmay. Sq'ucwlikwana walked one km up the mountain to the blockade at Ista. She shared this: Be on watch for the land that our people of the past lived at. These places were named by the Creator. Our people have never forgotten these names, and that proves this land still belongs to the Nuxalkme."

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Nuxalk Nation Government
House of Smayusta
P.O. Box BMbr> Bella Coola B.C.
V0T-1C0
Tel: 604-799-5376
Fax: 604-799-5707

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NUXALK NATION POSITION
September 10, 1995

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First of all the Nuxalk Nation would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit, for all that he
has provided since the beginning of time and still does today.

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We, the Nuxalk Nation, stand in the position of sovereignty against International Forest Products (INTERFOR). We cannot and will never as the Nuxalk Nation compromise this position.

The sovereignty of the Nuxalk Nation comes from Tatau, the Creator. It is not granted nor subject to the approval of any other nation. As the Nuxalk Nation we have the sovereign right to jurisdictional rule within our own territory. Our lands are a sacred gift. The land is provided for the continued use, benefit and enjoyment of our people, The Huxalkme, and it is our ultimate obligation to Tatau, the Creator, to care for and protect it.

INTERFOR has continually raped our lands and continues to do so today! Our old villages, hunting grounds, fishing grounds, grave sites and sacred areas are being destroyed. Our fish and animals that we need to feed our peoples are disappearing. Our food plants, medicinal plants and trees are being trampled on and destroyed, all for the corporate value of the Lumber.

We, the Nuxalk Nation, take this stand today and forever to state, "we are appalled at what INTERFOR has done and is still doing today, to our Nuxalkme Territory. We have never nor will we ever give our consent to INTERFOR or any other corporation to develop within our territory.

Our territory is ours, the Nuxalkme, and we have never ceded it to Canadian or B.C provincial government.

Our nation is not interested in entering into any treaties (B.C. Treaty Commission), agreements or any sort of arrangement with the Canadian government or the British Columbia government concerning our Nuxalk Nation hereditary rights and title.

The power that these two governments claim to have over our territory is an illegal power within their own jurisdiction as shown in the Constitution which reflects to the Royal Proclamation of 1763.

The following section is from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom to remind you that the Royal Proclamation is still legal and binding.
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:

Guarantees of Rights and Freedoms
General

25. The guarantee in this Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any aboriginal treaty or other rights or freedoms that pertain to the aboriginal people of Canada including

The following section is recited from the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763:

The Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763 (by the King, A proclamation, George R)

"...And whereas it is just and reasonable, and essential to our interest, and the Security of our Colonies, THAT THE SEVERAL NATIONS OR TRIBES OF INDIANS with whom we are connected, and who live under our protection, SHOULD NOT BE MOLESTED OR DISTURBED in session of such Parts of Our Dominions and Territories as, not having been ceded to or purchased by Us, are reserved to them, as their Hunting Grounds... Lying to the Westward of the source of the Rivers which fall into the Atlantic from the West and North West, OR UPON ANY LANDS WHATEVER, WHICH NOT HAVING BEEN CEDED TO OR PURCHASED BY US AS AFORESAID, ARE RESERVED TO THE SAID INDIANS, OR ANY OF THEM...AND...STRICTLY FORBID OUR SUBJECTS FROM MAKING PURCHASE OR SETTLEMENTS WHATEVER, OR TAKING POSSESSION OF ANY OF THE LANDS ABOVE WITHOUT OUR SPECIAL LEAVE AND LICENCE FOR THAT PURPOSE FIRST OBTAINED. And, we...strictly...require ALL PERSONS...WHO HAVE WILLFULLY OR INADVERDENTLY SEATED THEMSELVES UPON... LANDS WHICH, NOT HAVE BEEN BEEN CEDED TO US OR PURCHASED BY US, ARE STILL RESERVED TO THE SAID INDIANS AS AFORESAID, FORTHWITH TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM SUCH SETTLEMENTS...If at any time any of the Said Indians should be inclined to dispose of the said lands, the same shall be purchased only for Us, in our Name, at some public Meeting or Assembly of the said Indians, to be held for that Purpose by the Governor or Commander in Chief of Our colony...; and in case they (the lands) shall lie within the limits of any Proprietary Government, they shall be purchased only for the use and in the name of the Proprietaries, conformable to such Directions and Instructions as We or they shall give fro that Purpose."

The sovereign Nuxalk Nation Chiefs have INTERFOR notice that they are trespassing on Nuxalk Nation Territory that has never been sold or ceded, and that the Canadian court system has no jurisdiction over our territory. This is also to serve notice that we do not any court injunctions served to any Nuxalkme or to our guests (Forest Action Network) of the Nuxalk Nation invited into our traditional territory. We do this as our obligation to Tatau, the Creator, and also to ensure that our lands provided for our children, grandchildren and children yet unborn.

Way!

NUXALK STRONG - NUXALK FOREVER

Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass)
Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody)
Chief Slicxwliqw' (Charlie Nelson)
Chief Qwatsi (David Clelliman)
Chief Liciw7mutusayc (Taylor King)
Chief Sats7alanlh (Peter Schooner)

SOVEREIGNTY
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First of all the Nuxalk Nation would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit, for all that he
has provided since the beginning of time and still does today.

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The word "SOVEREIGNTY" is one that many of our people do not know the meaning of. It is a word that will be used many times during the gathering of ours and it is important for all our people to understand it.

Our "SOVEREIGNTY" is our traditional ways! It is our fishing, hunting, ceremonies, laws, stories, songs, potlatches, and dances. Our "SOVEREIGNTY" is a sacred gift handed down to us by Tatau, our Creator. It is something that was never given to us by any government or business.

Our sovereignty is not the Canadian governments laws! Our sovereignty is not the British Columbian laws!

These two governments do not have any right to practise their man-made laws over our laws that were handed down to us from the Creator.

Our "SOVEREIGNTY" is when we hunt, where we hunt, when we fish and where we fish! Our "SOVEREIGNTY" is our plant foods and medicines! Our "SOVEREIGNTY" is our traditional way of life.

No other nation is given the permission to define our "SOVEREIGNTY"! As long as we keep our "SOVEREIGNTY" we shall survive as a nation!

For the future of our Children, Grandchildren and Children yet unborn...

Way!

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Information Provided by:
Michele Lord
mosa@netcom.com

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