Heiltsuk Nation written constitution passes with 67 per cent of votes

By Canadian Press on February 21, 2025.

VANCOUVER — The Heiltsuk Nation has approved the adoption of a written constitution for the First Nation on British Columbia’s central coast.

The nation says 67 per cent of the 725 people who voted on the referendum were in favour of the constitution.

It says voting this month came after about two decades of development and consultation.

That included six months of engagement with more than 2,000 Heiltsuk members in Bella Bella, Nanaimo and Vancouver.

Elected Chief Marilyn Slett says she felt “pride and happiness” upon hearing the result, calling the written constitution a “reclamation” of Heiltsuk ways.

She says the document, which will be ratified in May, lays out a legal framework for self-governance and will help guide others who want to work with the nation.

“It’s a new day for our Heiltsuk people,” she said in an interview Friday. “It’s us charting our course forward based on our laws, our values and our beliefs.”

Hereditary Chief Elroy White says the constitution “reflects the deep history of our people and the ancient governance structure that existed prior to colonization.”

It will not supersede Canadian law, but will allow the nation to develop its own, he added.

“It’s been a long time for us,” he said in an interview.

“It’s so important to have something written for the membership to be proud of and understand that this is accountable and transparent, and this means that our voice (will be) at tables.”

The nation says the constitution has also underwent a legal review, and the referendum was conducted by an independent electoral officer.

Slett says the next steps to implement the constitution will be “developing core laws” for the nation, which will cover issues such as land management and language.

“We’ll move to developing those laws and having our celebration and ratification feast on May 30, (which) will be a big step for our community move forward with the implementation,” she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2025.

Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press