Heiltsuk Nation written constitution passes with 67 per cent of votes

Members of the Heistuk Nation have voted to approve a historic written constitution that’s been more than two decades in the making.

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

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

“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.”

Slett said 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.

The preamble for the constitution, which is posted to the nation’s website, says Heiltsuk “has never ceded, surrendered or extinguished our inherent right to govern” its people and territory.

It sets out a government structure, including a Yimas Council made up of the hereditary leadership of the nation, an elected Tribal Council, and a joint leadership assembly composed of both councils that it calls “the principle decision-maker on issues of great importance” to the nation.

The document says the Heiltsuk government will enact and enforce legislation, and may establish bodies to adjudicate it, including making “recommendations to courts on the sentencing of citizens, where requested.”

An independent “Nankila Council” will have the authority to conduct hearings and make binding decisions, the document says.

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

“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.”

White had initially said the First Nation’s new laws “won’t take over any other laws,” but the Nation later clarified that “questions about paramountcy will need to be worked out.”

The voting this month came after about two decades of development and consultation, the nation said in a news release Friday. That included six months of engagement with more than 2,000 Heiltsuk members in Bella Bella, Nanaimo and Vancouver.

It said 67 per cent of the 725 people who voted on the referendum were in favour of the constitution.

The nation said the document has been reviewed legally, and the referendum was conducted by an independent electoral officer.

Slett said 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 to move forward with the implementation,” she said.

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

Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press