Ma’amtagila Declaration

of Sovereignty

On the 25th day of July 2025, the Ma'a̱mtagila Nation gathered at Hiladi to recall the work of those before us and affirm its sovereignty. The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation recognizes the integral role of its laws, traditions, conventions, and values in perpetuating its sovereignty.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation has exclusively occupied and used its territories since the beginning of time and well after 1846, including its lands, submerged lands, waters, and airspace.

Every person in the Ma̱’amtagila Nation holds an important role, including youth, elders, matriarchs, and chiefs.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation has its own system of governance that is the lawful jurisdictional authority over its lands, submerged lands, waters, air, and resources.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation is the proper rights holder for Aboriginal rights over Ma’amtagila lands, submerged lands, waters, air, and resources.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation has never been consulted by the Crown for resource extraction in its territories, nor has it ever consented to such activities.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation declares that any and every impairment by British Columbia, Canada, any other First Nation, or delegated organization is unauthorized and unlawful.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation commits to protecting the integrity of the most diverse and vulnerable ecosystems that exist in its territories, including old growth aquatic ecosystems.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation will utilize every available remedy to make things right, including in Canadian Law, British Columbian Law, Ma’amtagila Law, Kwakwaka’wakw Law, and International Law.

The Ma'a̱mtagila Nation’s sovereignty has always resided across these territories. Today reflects a continuation of our occupation, use, governance, and law, and a commitment to continue modelling good governance.