Wet’suwet’en First Nation chiefs sign protocol agreement

BURNS LAKE, BC, May 1, 2014 /CNW/ - A protocol agreement has been reached between  hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation (WFN) and their elected chief and council. This ground-breaking agreement lays out the process for the two governing bodies to work together for the benefit of community members.

The protocol was signed on April 15, 2014 following several meetings with the WFN's membership. It applies to the Wet'suwet'en First Nation and the hereditary chiefs who want to work with the elected chief and council. "By signing the protocol, we are setting the stage for both governing systems to work together," says Wet'suwet'en First Nation Chief Karen Ogen. "[The agreement] is formed upon trust and respect, and is ultimately for the well-being of the community."

Signatories hope that by demonstrating how both governing systems can unite to benefit their people, this model may lay the groundwork for other nations. "As an elder, I signed this protocol because I think it is important that we are working together," says Sophie Ogen, hereditary Chief, Wet'suwet'en First Nation.

SOURCE: Wet'suwet'en First Nation

Chief Karen Ogen
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Twitter:  twitter.com/karen_ogen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChiefKarenOgen

Website:
http://wetsuwetenfirstnation.ca/