wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 17
Heiltsuk Governance
The lands of the Heiltsuk along the British Columbia coast of western Canada cover
over 3.5 million hectares and are part of one of the largest tracts of unspoiled
temperate rainforests in the world. The Heiltsuk practice a system of governance
based on their ǧviḷás (customary laws) that have been upheld by their Yíṃás
(Hereditary Chiefs) since time immemorial. The Haíɫzaqv governing body is
comprised of an elected Chief & Council, who make decisions in collaboration with
the Yíṃás. For the past decade, the Haíɫzaqv, along with other coastal First
Nations, have strengthened the connections between community, environment
and economy. The people remain steadfast in their conviction that the environment
should not be sacrificed to build a healthy coastal economy.
The Heiltsuk recently released the Heiltsuk Constitution. Chief Marilyn Slett noted,
"The Constitution, for me, is a reclamation of our Heiltsuk governance. It's an
exercise of decolonization: putting out there for the world our Heiltsuk laws and
Constitution." The Constitution defines Heiltsuk principles, morals, values,
responsibilities, and governance. It is a living document that includes Heiltsuk
creation stories, homeland maps, membership rights, freedoms and responsibilities,
lawmaking authorities, government structure and process, financial law, code of
conduct, amendment process, and giv'las – customary law. Community members
describe the passing of the Constitution as a way to make concrete and permanent
Heiltsuk jurisdiction over land and resources, along with all aspects of the Heiltsuk
world. It puts into writing an inherited legacy of over 14,000 years of oral tradition
and stewardship practices.
S E E A N N E X F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
For many of the Wayfinders, a governance structure based on elections was
initially imposed by a colonizing power, to create an institution they understood and could negotiate with. However, what the western world sees as
“democratic” often disregards the importance and clout that traditional forms
of governance provide to peoples who have had them since time immemorial. Therefore multiple and widely respected traditional leadership roles are
found among the Wayfinders that operate outside of and beyond the governance structures that were imposed or created to deal with the outside world.
Recognition by and Participation in Nation-State Government
The Wayfinders demonstrate various levels of participation and collaboration with national governments, but each of them are engaged constructively;
recognizing the nation-states where they are found, while still defending
Indigenous autonomy and rights to self-determination and self-governance.
The Mayangna Nation and Rapa Nui are both active participants in their
national governments, and they are recognized parts of them. The Achuar
are also recognized by the Government of Ecuador, and participate in some
government discussions, but are not considered part of the national government. The municipality belongs to the Achuar Nation, and includes territories
of both the Shuar and the Achuar, often with Achuar and Shuar elected
mayors. The same is often true at the more local level, with the prefect.
The Wampis engage and collaborate with the Government of Peru, but their
autonomous territorial government is not officially recognized. Warddeken
collaborates closely with the government, and is responsible for the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area, an official part of Australia’s protected area
system. Furthermore, they participate in a government sanctioned carbon
trading arrangement, receiving funding for reduced carbon emissions from
fire reduction gained through their traditional fire management. Similarly,
the Udege work closely with the Russian Federal government and regional
authorities as they co-manage the Bikin National Park. The Native American
Land Conservancy has a less official engagement with the United States
government, choosing instead to work closely with tribes as they protect
G overn ance L e arnings from the I nitial M emb ers of the Way fi n d ers Circl e
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