axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration

tl̓ t̓ sxʷuys … way̓ iʔ k̓ʷul̓l … nixʷ iʔ lutí iʔ k̓ʷul̓l … x̌aʔx̌aʔəlx … əcpútaʔstm … kʷu yʕayʕát ctxət̓stim iʔ scəcmaláʔtət naʔł iʔ snəqsilxʷtət.

From time immemorial, our children now, those yet to be born, are sacred. We revere our children. We all care for our children and our families.
– excerpt from the axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration

The axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration, completed after six years of work and signed by Elders, Language Speakers, and the Chief’s Executive Council in 2022, is a crucial expression of Syilx cultural values and knowledge. It is a guideline for guests and visitors to abide by when working with our families and children on our territory.

The completion and signing of the axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration in 2022 represent a significant milestone for the Syilx Nation. This process, spanning six years and involving various stakeholders like Elders and Language Speakers, underscores the meticulous attention to detail and cultural significance imbued within the document.

At its core, the declaration embodies the essence of Syilx cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, serving as a tangible expression of sqilx^wca^wt (Syilx cultural ways of being) and captíkʷł knowledge essential for the community’s well-being. Moreover, it serves as a guideline for guests and visitors to abide by when working with families and children on our territory; emphasizing respect, reciprocity, and responsibility.

Internationally, such declarations hold weight as symbols of nationhood, reflecting a community’s sovereignty and self-determination. Beyond symbolism, this declaration provides a practical framework for engagement, serving as a basis for protocol agreements and memorandums of understanding with external entities. Additionally, its principles can inform the development of community wellness policies and even serve as a foundation for the formulation of Syilx family laws, thereby contributing to the preservation and advancement of Syilx cultural identity and autonomy.

Signed Family Declaration Download