Since time immemorial, lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples have been caring for the lands and waters of their Traditional Territories. Aboriginal/ Indigenous Rights and Title emerge from an inherent connection to place and the long history of existence within distinct Territories. Rights and Title does not come from Canada, it comes from "Aboriginal Peoples’ own occupation of their home Territories as well as their ongoing social structures and political and legal systems." (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/aboriginal_rights/)
See the box "Time Immemorial" to expand understandings of time immemorial and to provide clarity.
lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory
"The lək̓ʷəŋən People have hunted and gathered here for thousands of years. This area, with its temperate climate, natural harbours, and rich resources, was a trading centre for a diversity of First Peoples. When Captain James Douglas anchored off of Clover Point in 1842, he saw the result of the lək̓ʷəŋən People’s careful land management, such as controlled burning and food cultivation. These practices are part of the land and part of lək̓ʷəŋən culture." ~Songheesnations.ca (click the link for the full story)
The W̱SÁNEĆ Story of ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱
"In the beginning it was the W̱SÁNEĆ teaching to look after Mother Earth. All of the animals, the birds, the trees and the salmon, even the wind, were, and still are, people. For many years the people remembered the words of the creator XÁLS and there was a long period of happiness and plentiful food. Then they began to forget those teachings. The creator’s feelings were hurt that the people began to forget his good teachings, so the creator told the people that a great flood would come and said: 'You prepare yourselves.'" ~ wsanec.com/history-territory (click the link for the full story)
A timeline of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Department of Justice Canada
Running time: 1:20
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is about the respect and recognition of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. It’s the result of almost 25 years of collaboration between UN member states and Indigenous Peoples from around the world. Indigenous leaders from Canada played a significant role in its development, including drafting and negotiating. This timeline highlights important dates related to the development and implementation of UNDRIP in Canada.