Members of the Heiltsuk Nation have approved the adoption of a written constitution after two weeks of voting which concluded Thursday night, Feb. 20.
Located in the Central Coast community of Bella Bella on Campbell Island, the Heiltsuk have lived and governed on their land for more than 14,000 years.
The Haíɫzaqv Constitution, whose writing took two decades of consultation and redrafting, was passed by a super majority vote, with 67 per cent of the 725 votes in favour.
“I’m very pleased,” said Hereditary Chief Frank Brown in an interview with simplymastery. “But it’s just a step in the process of our self-determination.”
This is a critical time to be writing down the constitution, Brown said, as the nation is losing many of its elders and knowledge keepers who play a key role in protecting and passing on the Heiltsuk constitution.
“Our constitution has always been in our hearts and minds,” said Heiltsuk community member and constitutional lead Saul Brown in an interview with simplymastery leading up to the vote. The Heiltsuk are simply writing the constitution down to reaffirm their inherent rights and responsibilities as a self-determining, sovereign nation in the modern world.
“This will be a compass for our future generations,” said Hereditary Chief Frank Brown.
Heiltsuk Elected Chief Marilyn Slett told Black Press her reaction upon hearing the news was one of joy, as well as pride in being Heiltsuk.
"There are so many emotions going through me right now," Slett said. Knowing the painful history her nation has faced with colonial governments, involving the imposition of the Indian Act, the operation of residential schools and the prohibition of the Heiltsuk culture, Slett proudly stated: "We're still here, grounded in our culture."
"This constitution is for us, by us," she added, explaining it encompasses who the Heiltsuk are as a people. In a press release, Slett described this moment in history as monumental.
"It allows us to govern beyond the Indian Act and in accordance with our ǧvi̓ḷás (laws)...Questions about decision-making and law will be resolved within our Nation, not outside of it.”
The constitution also validates the Heiltsuk's chosen form of governance, which combines the contemporary elected council with the traditional hereditary council as well as a women’s council.
“Women have always been the rock of our society,” Brown said.
“I’m just really proud of our Heiltsuk Nation members and our leadership,” he said. “This sends a resounding message that we want to control our own destiny.”
The next step for the nation is to ratify the vote with a feast in the Big House in Bella Bella on May 30, consistent with the Heiltsuk tradition.
Learn more about the history and creation of the nation’s written constitution by watching the short YouTube films Haíɫzaqv Constitution: 'Qáikasas Ǧví'las, The Q̓áikasas Ǧvi̓ḷás: The great laws of the Haíɫzaqv, Part 2 film and For Us, by Us.
