Uchucklesaht Tribe Constitution

Uchucklesaht Tribe Constitution

In a vote held on June 16, 2007 the Uchucklesaht people eligible to vote under the Maa Nulth treaty spoke loud and clear that the first major step in ratification of the Maa-nulth Treaty has been taken with their support.

By a vote of 85 to 0 with 2 spoiled ballots (a 98% "Yes" vote), they approved the Constitution that had been crafted by their community. The Constitution sets out the basis of the governance system they will utilize under Treaty and the Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities that will exist for the Uchucklesaht Members.

We, the people of the Uchucklesaht Tribe, by this Constitution, declare our unique identity as a nation and claim our rightful place in Canadian society.

We have existed from time immemorial and have occupied and the used the lands, waters, air and resources of our traditional territory throughout history.

We draw our identity from our relationship to our land and from our rich heritage, culture, language and our stories, myths, oral traditions and spirituality.

We honor our ancestors and our elders and commit ourselves to the values that they preserved for us, values that provide us dignity and enhance our humanity.

As self-determining peoples, we accept the responsibilities inherent in governing ourselves and seek, with the assistance of the Creator, to govern with wisdom and respect for all people.

Through the act of governing, we assume the power to preserve our natural world and enhance our identity.