In a modern democratic society, the Constitution is the ‘foundation.’ It sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Legislature (elected officials), how laws are made, a modern administration with real accountability, and a way to appeal administrative decisions. It sets out the ‘rules of the game’ based on our culture, history, and elders.
Over time, every community or society has established these principles. For Kitselas, as an oral people, they were not written down. Writing our constitution helps us formally recognize and protect parts of the way of life for our People—‘the Kitselas Way’—pass it down for future generations and communicate this to others.
Developing and defining the Kitselas Constitution is an ongoing community process that has been occurring for over a decade. And we continue to engage and meet with the community to review and refine the draft Constitution. Kitselas Members are invited to join our next Constitution Workshop on February 22, 2025, to help as we finalize the Constitution.
The Kitselas people will have the opportunity to vote on the Kitselas Constitution in April 2025.
FAQs About The Constitution
Q: What is a Constitution?
A: The Kitselas Constitution outlines the principles, values, and choices that Kitselas agrees to be governed by.
Q: Why do we need a Constitution?
A: The Constitution sets out and explains the legal rights of the People and the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and the administration.
It’s like a rulebook explaining what the Kitselas First Nation leaders can and can’t do and the People’s rights. It’s similar to Canada’s Constitution but only applies to the Kitselas First Nation and those who live or work on the Treaty Settlement Lands.
Q: What should a Constitution contain?
A: The Constitution tells people how their government will work. It defines the government’s rights, freedoms, and accountability and how power is distributed between the Legislature, Administration, Courts, and the People.
It explains the rights and systems the Kitselas People agree to follow based on their cultural, historical, and modern democratic principles. The Constitution explains how the Kitselas government should work and make decisions fairly and predictably while ensuring everyone’s rights are respected.
Q: Who developed our Constitution?
A: The Kitselas Constitution was built, clause by clause, by the Kitselas People through many community workshops, engagements, and consultations—we’ve been at this for a long time, well over a decade. Your thoughts, comments, input, and advice form its very foundation, including the voices of our Elders, many of who have now passed, leaving us to complete this work. We know how important it is for Kitselas Citizens to be central to these discussions; after all, who knows us better than ourselves?
Q: Where can I see the draft Kitselas Constitution?
A: The draft Consitution is available here, and a Plain Language version is available here. A USB with valuable Treaty information, including the draft Constitution and a plain language version of the Constitution, will be mailed to Members in March 2025.
Q: When will Kitselas Members vote on the Kitselas Constitution?
A: The Ratification votes for the Kitselas Treaty and Consitution are planned for April 2025. If you are a Kitselas member who wishes to vote on the Treaty and Constitution, you must be enrolled. Enrol here today!