Following a meeting on May 16, 2013 in Williams lake with Tsilhqot’in Nation leadership, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo announces the National AFN Executive will apply to intervene in the Supreme Court of Canada appeal hearing of the Tsilhqot’in Nation Aboriginal title recognition case, stating that recognition is the starting point to achieve reconciliation and is urgently required to advance certainty and economic opportunity.

 

“This case is an important opportunity to take concrete steps forward toward reconciliation in this country,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. “Respect and recognition is the basis of opportunity and successful partnerships required to build a stronger sustainable future for First Nations and all Canadians.”

 

The Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to appeal to the Tsilhqot’in Nation for their Aboriginal title recognition case in January, with the hearing currently scheduled for November 7, 2013 – just one month after the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation and three years since Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

“Two hundred and fifty years after the Royal Proclamation and yet the security that was promised therein for First Nation lands, territories and resources remains unfulfilled. We cannot wait any longer. It a matter of human and indigenous rights, recognition and opportunity, and has tremendous economic implications for Canada,” said National Chief Atleo. “We have a multitude of examples and decades of economic uncertainty and conflict over lack of recognition of Aboriginal title and rights. This could change the economic future for all First Nations and all of Canada.”

 

“In BC, historically there were few treaties, and our Nations’ lands were not lawfully acquired,” said AFN BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould. “William is the latest in a long line of Aboriginal title and rights cases in BC that has national implications for all Indigenous peoples, and it is critical, when asked to determine the scope and extent of Aboriginal title, that the Court does so in a considered, respectful and thoughtful way that takes into account Aboriginal perspectives and does justice to our peoples’ thousands of years of occupation of our territories. Practically, this is necessary and in the interests of all Canadians, to ensure that the Crown engages and negotiates honourably and in good faith the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown title.”

 

“It was such an honour to have the AFN National Chief meet with us. It is a pure blessing for us to have his personal commitment and the support of the AFN,” said Chief Roger William, Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government and Plaintiff. “I reflect back and remember with warmth our elders and leaders who stood up for our people and our culture in court, some of whom are no longer with us today, and I thank them – they have made this moment possible. Woodward & Company, the David Suzuki Foundation, Western Canada Wilderness Committee and Friends of Nemiah, First Nations communities across BC and Canada, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations have all supported us dearly throughout this and we will not back down; we will move forward with unity and strength.”

 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with the National Chief on Nation issues that are at our forefront such as our court case and the threat to Teztan Biny/Fish Lake. National Chief Shawn Atleo spent time in his younger years in Yunesit’in, one of our Tsilhqot’in communities,” said Tribal Chairman Chief Joe Alphonse, Tsilhqot’in National Government. “We invited the National AFN Executive to participate in a spiritual visit to Teztan Biny to gain strength for this ongoing fight.”

 

AFN will be filing an application for intervention within the next month and is encouraging other First Nations and advocacy organizations, human rights and environmental groups to work together with First Nations in support.