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10 July 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2012
Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs to hold three day community meeting to admit new members to solve defect in Gitxsan Treaty Society By-laws
Hazelton BC – The Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs will be holding a meeting, open to all Gitxsan, July 17-19 at the Gitsegukla School. The purpose of the meeting is to admit new members to the GTS and re-affirm GTS’s continuing mandate to support the Simgiigyet and the Gitxsan people in their efforts to advocate for Gitxsan aboriginal rights in treaty negotiations and other forms of reconciliation with the Crown.
On June 26, 2012, the head Simgiigyet met to discuss how to fix a defect in the GTS bylaws about the appointment of GTS directors. The Simgiigyet confirmed that the solution must respect Ayookim Gitxsan (laws), and the role of the Gitxsan Simgiigyet and Wilp, as already recognized in the Delgamuukw case.
The next step is to hold a an open and inclusive meeting on July 17 – 19, 2012. All Gitxsan persons are entitled to attend and support the Simgiigyet in this important deliberation.
“These three days give us an opportunity to begin an internal dialogue amongst the Simgiigyet. This represents our traditional decision making process, and with the participation of all members of the huwilp (houses), will help us come to a consensus on how to move forward as a Nation.” said Gwaans (Beverly Clifton Percival)
At the meeting, the GTS will ask each Wilp whether it wishes to participate in the membership of GTS and, if so, who they have designated to be a GTS member. That decision needs to be made by each Wilp, according to its own practices.
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For further comment please contact:
Gwaans (Beverly Clifton Percival)
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
250-847-0603
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