Traditionally, First Nations had absolute power over our traditional territories, our resources and our right to govern, to make and enforce laws, to decide citizenship and to manage our lands, resources and institutions.
In British Columbia there are two title recognized in law – Aboriginal Title and Crown Title. Treaties were negotiated with through Canada and did not include BC.

Today, our power as First Nations continues to rest with our communities and like our Aboriginal Rights and Title, it comes from within the people and cannot be taken away. The Coastal First Nations maintain Aboriginal Title and Rights to the lands in its respective Traditional Territories.

We believe – and this has been affirmed by legal cases – that our Aboriginal Rights and Title affirm our right to our traditional territories and to maintain and to protect the resources within our lands and waters. We will not leave our traditional territories because it is here and only here that our Rights and Title exist.