We stand in Unity with those protecting the inherent rights of First Nations – those protecting the lands for future generations. We honour and abide by our seven sacred teachings given to us by Creator. In the spirit of those teachings we declare the following:

The Council of Curve Lake First Nation recognizes that we all benefit from the resources provided by Mother Earth across all of Turtle Island and that all of creation is sacred. We recognize that our ancestors protected mother earth for our use and benefit. It is our responsibility to protect our
environment for our children, who are our sacred gift and their well being is our primary responsibility.

Today, we are declaring our support for the people in the Wet’suwet’en Territory – Hereditary Chiefs, Matriarchs and elected council. The territory of the Wet’suwet’en has never been surrendered to the Crown or the Canadian Government by Treaty. The Wet’suwet’en care, control and ownership of the land has never negotiated, ceded or terminated. This is a fact recognized by the Canadian Courts. The Government of Canada has imposed governance structures on an existing civilization and to date has ignored the governance structures that pre-existed Canada through our own legal systems.

Our support for the Wet’suwet’en is for the recognition of the truth and history of the Wet’suwet’en so that reconciliation can take place. Curve Lake takes a stand against the excessive use of force by the RCMP or any other colonial enforcement body as this prevents meaningful dialogue between any First Nation and the Canadian Government.

The fact is that the Wet’suwet’en feel the need to take dramatic actions, such as occupying work sites, because for hundreds of years their voice has been silenced. Curve Lake supports the dialogue necessary for the recognition of Inherent and Treaty Rights, along with the continued recognition that the Wet’suwet’en territory has never been ceded to the Canadian Government. Our Council works towards reconciliation and continued dialogue on these matters is the only way to peacefully achieve commonality, understanding and respect.

Miigwetch and in Unity,

Chief Emily Whetung on behalf of Curve Lake Council

Jeffrey Jacobs
Deborah Jacobs
Sean Conway
Nodin Knott
Crystal Cummings
Arnold Taylor
Laurie Hockaday
Saga Williams