What we've accomplished is just the beginning

Treaty MILESTONES
Our negotiations team continues to move toward and agreement that both benefits the nations current and future members.
Our Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations ancestors assert ownership to territories we were placed on by the Creator, U’mas Gigama. We have used, occupied and governed our traditional territories from the beginning. Despite a removal from our homelands in Smith Inlet, Seymour Inlet, and outlying Islands, by the federal government, we maintain our connections which are centred on the mountains, inlets, lands, waters and resources in our territories. Today we assert our Aboriginal Rights and Title over our entire territories. We, the GNN have traditional laws and teachings, “Nusəns sax gwigilas” as passed on for generations by ancestors and Elders and we have a responsibility to follow our laws and traditions of mayaxala and to take care of the lands, waters and resources in the territories. The GNN have the inherent right to self-government including right to continue our system of hereditary Chiefs and the pesa (potlatch). The GNN Treaty Process was established to uphold the rights, title and laws through a negotiated agreement with the Canada and BC through the BCTC Process.
The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations Treaty Office was mandated by the Chief and Council in 1993 to commence treaty negotiations under the newly formed BCTC process. The six stage negotiation process requires community consultation to continue through each step. In 2000, through the Framework agreement, stage 3, the GNN was duly convened according to meeting protocols and transparency guidelines as set out and a quorum of assembled members at the Wakas Hall voted to continue with the future stages to achieve a negotiated agreement with Canada and BC. We are in the final stages of Stage 4, Agreement in Principle.