Reconciliation

Lax Kw’alaams Department of Reconciliation

Since 2020, Lax Kw’alaams has been in early discussions with the federal and provincial governments to discuss ways for Lax Kw’alaams to move away from the Indian Act through a process called Reconciliation. To advance these discussions, and create a path toward self-determination, Lax Kw’alaams created the Reconciliation Department to move forward with community-driven governance-building activities.

Our Community Communication

To better understand the communications preferences of our members and how they want to be engaged on nation-building efforts, an initial members’ communication survey was launched and ran from February 2 to April 27, 2022. A second survey on constitutional development was launched in late April 2022 until April 2023.

So far, we have learned that Lax Kw’alaams membership would like more information about:

the role, impact and purpose of a constitution;
how best to incorporate adaawx and ayaawx and other legal traditions;
additional opportunities for members to provide feedback (i.e., workshops, surveys and other engagement methods).

Developing a Constitution for Lax Kw’alaams

With nation-building and self-determination front of mind, Lax Kw’alaams initiated a members-focused communications and engagement nation-building initiatives, with a focus on constitutional development for Lax Kw’alaams.

Starting in June 2022, Lax Kw’alaams launched community engagement on reconciliation related initiatives, using a community-led open and transparent approach and process. Understanding the voice of the people must form the foundation of nation-building, Lax Kw’alaams prioritized launched the Amlahaw “Peoples’ Voices” Initiative, and initiative to work gather the strong voices of our community and membership.

Through the Amlahaw “Peoples’ Voices” Initiative, we have gathered the voices, perspectives and values of our members, who have shared a collective vision for their nation, which must be captured by the constitution and governance as an alternative to the Indian Act.

We have held many workshops, community meetings, interviews, and virtual sessions to share educational information about constitutional development and governance with the people of Lax Kw’alaams.

Draft Constitution for Lax Kw’alaams

We are pleased to finally announce and share the draft Da’ax Kw’alaams Man-Ayaawx (Lax Kw’alaams Constitution)! This historic achievement was made possible by the invaluable engagement and input from our Members, Youth, Elders, Allied Tribes representatives, and leaders during the Amlahaw “Peoples’ Voices” Initiative.

Developed by our people that made up the Constitution Drafting Group, our Constitution embodies the collective principles of self-determination of the Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams, honoring our łaa gigyet – ancestors, and paving the way for present and future generations.

See below the letter on behalf of the Constitutional Drafting Committee, as well as the draft document of the Da’ax Kw’alaams Man-Ayaawx – Constitution of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation!

Get Involved!

If you are a member of Lax Kw’alaams and want to get involved in nation-building, please send us an email at [email protected] – we look forward to hearing your strong voices! Check out these upcoming events, including two community forums, August 25-27, 2023 in Lax Kw’alaams and Prince Rupert.

Lax Kw’alaams:

August 25 – 10am-4pm – Meeting of the Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams
- Elders Lodge, Lax Kw’alaams Recreation Centre
August 25 – 5pm-8pm – Amlahaw Appreciation Dinner and Celebration
- School foyer, Lax Kw’alaams Wap Suwilaawksa
August 26 – 9:30am-4pm – Community Forum
- School foyer, Lax Kw’alaams Wap Suwilaawksa