Declaration of First Nations Sovereignty

We, the First Nations, declare what has always been true:

Before Europeans came, we were sovereign Nations. We had our own governments, laws, languages, and lands.

We are still sovereign today. We never gave up our right to govern ourselves, and we continue to carry the responsibilities handed down by our ancestors.

Canada is on First Nations land. The truth is simple: these lands were never surrendered. Treaties, where they exist, were meant to share and live in peace, not to erase our sovereignty.

We call on governments, institutions, and companies to:

1. Acknowledge that First Nations remain sovereign Nations.

2. Respect our inherent right to self-government.

3. Recognize that all activity on our lands requires our free, prior, and informed consent.

This declaration is for our children and the generations to come. We were sovereign before contact, and we are sovereign today.