DOCUMENT: LILLOOET.TXT L I L ' W A T N A T I O N MOUNT CURRIE BAND COUNCIL P.O. BOX 165 MOUNT CURRIE, B.C. V0N 2K0 (604) 894-6115 FAX NO. (604) 894-6841 INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP INTO THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF UNITED NATIONS To: United Nations Geneva, Switzerland From: Stl'atl'imx Nation of Chiefs Lillooet Tribal Council P.O. Box 1420 Lillooet, British Columbia Canada Telephone: (604) 256-7523/256-7249 Fax: (604) 256-7119 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE My name is ____________________. I am here as an Emissary to the People and Nation that I represent. We are commonly known as the Stl'atl'imx Nation. We live within the renowned state of Canada. We are here to seek membership into the International League of United Nations, and, to speak on behalf of our Nation towards becoming recognized at the International level. Also, we are here to offer our services, assets and participation towards protecting our Mother Earth and it's people from severe exploitation and destruction. We come in peace and friendship and wish to align ourselves along side other Nations with similar objectives. In the English Canadian terminology we are known as the Lillooet Tribe of Aboriginal People. With our respects, please find attached a typed copy of "The Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe", signed by our Ancestral Chiefs on May 10th 1911. This declaration remains to be the truth, and, our guiding principle towards seeking a co-existence resolution with the Government of Canada. We continue to align ourselves with other First Nations of the Americas, but we speak and represent ourselves at all political levels. Today I speak for our whole Land and STL'ATL'IMX people numbering 4000 Native People of the Land. Our laws and customs direct our people to co- exist with other Tribal Nations whom we recognize, respect and associate with. We would like to co-exist with the Canadian Government and the people it represents. To date we have not signed any treaties or have not been conquered in warfare thus our title and rights to the land have not been extinguished. STL'ATL'IMX PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES Through our Land, People and Language we have been entrusted as the rightful owners of Stl'atl'imx Territory. Within our territory our People have the honor and use of it's natural wealth to survive on. The ownership and jurisdiction over Land and it's Resources is strictly controlled by law and customs. Basically, we take and use only what we need to survive on. Anything more than this is referred to as "greed" which is profoundly detested and dealt with. Through our customs and traditions we educate our People to respect the land, environment, wildlife, fish and fellow man. Our laws and traditions are aligned with Natural Laws of the Land and Environment. Man's laws and practices must always co-exist with the Laws of Nature. These laws and traditions are taught through our family structure and the Potlatch System. The potlatch is the highest form of respect, honor and dignity on how we govern ourselves on Mother Earth. Equally important, we are taught to respect and co-exist with our fellow man and neighboring Nations. There are disciplinary actions and methods followed where there is disrespect and violation to these laws. This is done through our family and community system where law and order is kept. Within each of our eleven (11) communities we have a Chief and Council system that governs the local community accordingly. Recently we the STL'ATL'IMX have been feeling duty bound to protect our land, people and environment from severe exploitation and destruction caused by pollution and poor harvesting practices of natural resources. This is our prime purpose and intent for being here today. We have learned that the philosophy and purpose of the International League of United Nations is similar. Thus, we are here to become partners to your International League and purpose. We have been advised that the Canadian Government has representation within the United Nations Assembly. In respect to Canada, it does not represent the interests of our Nation, nor, can it speak on our behalf. We are here in a peaceful and respectful manner and request that our Nation be given the opportunity towards becoming an asset to your purpose. STATEMENT OF REAFFIRMATION OF THE 1911 LILLOOET TRIBAL DECLARATION WE, THE SOVEREIGN STL'ATL'IMX NATION do in our name and the name of our fore-bearers affirm and reaffirm the May 10, 1911 Lillooet Declaration. We speak the truth, and we speak for our whole people from ancient times to the times yet uncounted. WE, REAFFIRM that as a People we are the Rightful owners of our land which has been our home since time immemorial. It is our duty as a People to respect and live with our brothers the fish, bear, deer, wolf, raven, eagle and the others among our animal brothers. We are bound by our STL'ATL'IMX laws, to respect and live with the trees and other plants of our land. We are bound to protect and use well those things in nature which have been given in our trust. WE REAFFIRM that as a People we have a duty to ourselves to protect, defend, comfort and care for the well-being of all our generations past, present and future. We declare that we are and intend to remain economically, culturally, socially, linguistically, spiritually, self- determined. WE REAFFIRM that as a sovereign people, we are obligated to ensure only one system of government in our original title to STL'ATL'IMX territory waters and resources. As a People, we accept the duty to ensure the common well being of our Nation and reaffirm our inherent right to govern ourselves in accordance with our traditional institutions and customs and law in so doing, to promote and defend our right to survive as a People. WE REAFFIRM that as a People we seek peaceful and friendly relations with our neighbors and peoples throughout the world. It is our duty to perfect all of our relations on the basis of sovereign equality. IN THE NAME OF OUR GRANDFATHERS AND GENERATIONS OF STL'ATL'IMX YET UNBORN, WE DECLARE OUR SOLEMN COMMITMENT TO THESE PRINCIPLES AND TO WHATEVER COLLECTIVE ACTION MAY BE NEEDED TO DEFEND THEM. 1. Chief Lawrence Patrick N'QUATQUA 2. Chief Saul Terry XWISTEN 3. Chief Perry Redan SEKW'ELW'AS 4. Chief George Gabrial XA'XTSA 5. Chief Roger Adolph XAXL'IP 6. Chief Mike Leach Tl'ITL'KIT 7. Chief Fraser Andrew LIL'WAT 8. Chief Marvin Bob TS'KW'AYLAW 9. Chief Rose Smith SAMAHQUAM 10. Chief Rodney Louie CHALATH 11. 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