Ten Principles on Treaty Implementation
"These principles reflect the importance of Treaty for all First Nations peoples. It is recommended that they be used as reference points in deciding whether to follow a certain course of action. They are gleaned from the book Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan. Our Elders counsel us not to abandon these principles in favour of short-term gains. Rather, we must try to see the long-term implications of our decisions. All First Nations peoples respect the covenant our forefathers made with the Crown when we concluded Treaty. Nobody wishes to make decisions that will undermine Treaty in any way. We must be vigilant to make sure our Treaty is not jeopardized. We all share the responsibility of making sure our Treaty continues. The legacy we leave future generations will depend in a large part on the choices that we make." - Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, June 7, 2007
The Centre’s role in supporting First Nations’ engagement with the Crown is guided by Ten Principles on Treaty Implementation. These include:
10. We, the First Nations come from Mother Earth, and this determines their role as stewards of the land, all forms of life within it, and their sovereignty.
9. We, the First Nations occupied North America as sovereign Nations long before other people came to their shores.
8. We, the First Nations have always made their own laws, institutions and jurisdiction which reflects their culture, values and languages.
7. We, the First Nations sovereignty enabled their entry into Treaty and other political accords with other Nations.
6. We, the The Royal Proclamation of 1763 affirms First Nations’ sovereignty, institutionalizing the Treaty-making process, and made their consent a condition before lands and resources could be alienated.
5. We, the First Nations and the Crown affirmed each other’s sovereignty in the Treaty-making process.
4. We, the First Nations sovereignty defines their nationhood, and this will continue forever.
3. We, the The Treaties have international stature.
2. We, the The spirit and intent of the Treaty relationship is more valid than the written text and will last as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows.
1. We, the Canada has an ongoing obligation to fulfill the Treaties according to the spirit and intent.
For more information visit the FSIN website.
10. We, the First Nations come from Mother Earth, and this determines their role as stewards of the land, all forms of life within it, and their sovereignty.
9. We, the First Nations occupied North America as sovereign Nations long before other people came to their shores.
8. We, the First Nations have always made their own laws, institutions and jurisdiction which reflects their culture, values and languages.
7. We, the First Nations sovereignty enabled their entry into Treaty and other political accords with other Nations.
6. We, the The Royal Proclamation of 1763 affirms First Nations’ sovereignty, institutionalizing the Treaty-making process, and made their consent a condition before lands and resources could be alienated.
5. We, the First Nations and the Crown affirmed each other’s sovereignty in the Treaty-making process.
4. We, the First Nations sovereignty defines their nationhood, and this will continue forever.
3. We, the The Treaties have international stature.
2. We, the The spirit and intent of the Treaty relationship is more valid than the written text and will last as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows.
1. We, the Canada has an ongoing obligation to fulfill the Treaties according to the spirit and intent.
For more information visit the FSIN website.
