DOCUMENT: NWPACBAK.TXT BACKGROUND AND LIST OF OBJECTIVES - PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREATY WHAT IS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREATY? PURPOSE: This is YOUR treaty! It brings together indigenous governments in a cooperative effort to protect our natural resources and environment, our economies and sovereignty. It is a sacred commitment to "re-establish political, social and economic relations, and cooperative control of natural resources essential to the cultural, spiritual and religious rights of our peoples." HISTORY OF THE TREATY: During the 1988/89 Pacific Salmon Commission negotiations Tribes and First Nations met to discuss working together. From these discussions came a commitment to develop a resolution of understanding between these indigenous nations. The resolution of understanding recognized the Tribes and First Nations north and south of the Canadian/ U.S. border as sovereigns. It acknowledged them as protectors of natural resources with shared conservation and management responsibilities. Further pursuit of increased communication and mutual support led to the development of the Pacific Northwest Treaty, which was signed by dozens of Tribes and First Nations in ceremonies conducted at the Squamish Nation on September 30, 1994. In a follow up meeting conducted by the Pacific Northwest Treaty Steering Committee, held during negotiations of the Pacific Salmon Commission in Vancouver, B.C. in November of 1994, it was determined that a "Vision Conference" should be held to enable the participating nations to collectively "brainstorm" the implementation specifies of the Treaty. THE FUTURE: It is clear to all participants that if this Treaty is to work, if it is to be meaningful to the future of our people, the work on it must continue. It cannot be ignored like the treaties that Europeans signed with the tribes. We must know that our word is our bond, and that the strength of each of our nations is based on the strength of the others. There is interest in this Treaty beyond the Pacific Northwest. One of the original signers was a representative of the aboriginee people in Australia. Native Hawaiians have expressed interest in signing, and word has been received of similar interest on the part of indigenous people from still other states and nations, as well. Will the Treaty extend to them or not? The answer to this question is up to you, the representatives of the Tribes and First Nations. In fact, the entire future of this Treaty is in your hands. During this Vision Conference, we must focus on such questions as: * What do the words of the Pacific Northwest Treaty mean to us all? * What do the principles, common objectives and mutual covenants of this Treaty among indigenous peoples truly mean? * How do these commitments translate to action and have meaningful ongoing impact on the future of our people? * Where do we go from here? NOTES: If your Tribe or Nation has not yet signed the Treaty, and wishes to do so, you will have an opportunity to sign on Wednesday morning. A special half day workshop on "hot" issues in natural resource management will be held here following lunch Wednesday. This will be your opportunity to discuss such issues, ask questions and make statements regarding them. PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREATY STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Ron Allen S'Klallam Tribe Co-Chair Telephone: (206) 683-1109 Fax: (206) 683-4366 Kathryn Brigham Columbia River Inter- Carol Craig Tribal Fish Commission Telephone: (503) 238-0667 Fax: (503) 2354228 Steve Robinson Northwest Indians Jim Anderson Fisheries Commission Telephone: (360) 438-1180 Fax: (360) 753-8659 CANADA Gibby Jacob Squamish Nation Co-Chair Telephone: (604) 980-4553 Fax: (604) 980-9601 Beryl Harris British Columbia Aboriginal Simon Lucas Fisheries Commission Ken Malloway Telephone: (604) 990-9939 Fax: (604) 990-9949 Trudi Harris British Columbia Regional Vice-Chief's Office Telephone: (604) 990-9939 Fax: (604) 990-9949 PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREATY VISIONS CONFERENCE ON MAY 30 & 31, 1995 LIST OF OBJECTIVES TREATY * Promote and encourage more Indigenous Nations to sign the Treaty * Commitment to the Treaty * Understand the vision and purpose of the treaty as it applies to all Indian Nations * Preserve the energy and momentum of the Treaty * Keep focused on the big picture of the Treaty's purpose * Use the Treaty as the vehicle to re-focus our priorities and care for each other's needs. IMPACTS * Understanding of the impact of the non-Indian lifestyles and values on the Indian communities * Remain conscious that the anti-Indian mentality is still very strong throughout the world, and within the political systems. EDUCATION * Teach the non-Indian society what the Indian knows instinctively about nature * Education and enlightenment of the Indian way of life and values * Improve the Indian leaders' knowledge and understanding of the non-Indian views and objectives VISION * Urge delegation to unite and visualize Indigenous people as one * Understand the individual as well as the collective concerns, needs, and situations * Strengthen the government standing both within and across international boarders * Bridging indigenous nations and strengthening our collective power CULTURAL & TRADITIONS * Share histories, culture and traditions * Clear consciousness of purpose and responsibilities for our communities and their welfare ENVIRONMENT & FISHING RIGHTS * Protect natural resources: fisheries, water, habitat * Restore rightful role as managers of the resource * Sharing natural resource and management techniques, skills and knowledge * Responsibilities of stewardship of natural resources as delegated by the Great Spirit * Restore and preserve the fishing and hunting rights of indigenous people LAND RIGHTS * Seeking restoration of traditional lands and jurisdictions SOVEREIGNTY & INHERENT RIGHTS * Native Hawaiian Nations seeking support from Northwest Nations to re-establish their sovereign status and land base * Empowerment of sovereign Rights and Authorities * Preservation of our identity as unique indigenous people, with special rights * Preservation of traditional and cultural rights and practices * Strengthen the spiritual bond between the people and the Nations * Preserve the future for our children REQUEST * Australian Indigenous people requested participants to sign flag representing unity * Consideration by the delegates to amend the constitution to become Pacific and delete Northwest Restriction. 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