Indigenous nation in Canada ratifies its first written constitution

Jun 12, 2025 - 15:12
After decades of colonial oppression, including the removal of children from their families, forced sterilisation and abuse in residential schools, the Heiltsuk Nation has ratified its first written constitution. Aimed at 'renewing and reclaiming ancestral laws', the document enshrines a framework in which power and decision-making is shared by hereditary leadership, the elected chief and council, and the nation’s women’s council An Indigenous nation in Canada hails historic constitution: ‘We’re now the architects of certainty for ourselves’