The Heiltsuk people, original stewards of the lands, have a rich tradition of storytelling that intertwines their physical and supernatural worlds. Following the arrival of outsiders who claimed their land, the Heiltsuk elders challenged these claims by questioning the absence of their stories. Their newly ratified constitution reinforces their identity and asserts their sovereignty in reclaiming their territories and customs. This movement aligns with a broader push by Indigenous peoples in Canada to regain power in the face of colonial oppression and loss of cultural heritage.
For the Heiltsuk, stories explain everything from the shape of a local mountain to the distinct red fur fringes on the sea wolves stalking shores.
The Heiltsuk's newly created constitution asserts the nation's long-held convictions that they are the original inhabitants and rightful stewards of the region's future.
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