Indigenous nation in Canada ratifies its first written constitution

After decades of colonial oppression, including the removal of children from their families, forced sterilisation and abuse in residential schools, the Heiltsuk Nation has ratified its first written constitution. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► http://bit.ly/guardianwiressub Aimed at 'renewing and reclaiming ancestral laws', the document enshrines a framework in which power and decision-making is shared by hereditary leadership, the elected chief and council, and the nation’s women’s council An Indigenous nation in Canada hails historic constitution: ‘We’re now the architects of certainty for ourselves’ ► https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/12/canada-indigenous-heiltsuk-constitution The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3uhA7zg Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► http://theguardian.com/first-edition Website ► https://www.theguardian.com Facebook ►https://www.facebook.com/theguardian Instagram ► https://instagram.com/guardian The Guardian on YouTube: The Guardian ► https://bit.ly/guardiannewssubs Guardian Australia ► https://bit.ly/guardianaussubs Guardian Football ► https://bit.ly/gdnfootballsubs Guardian Sport ► https://bit.ly/gdnsportsubs It's Complicated ► https://bit.ly/ItsComplicatedSubs Guardian Live ► https://bit.ly/guardianlivesubs #firstnations #indigenouspeople #heiltsuk #canada