In late May 2025, the Haíɫzaqv Nation made history. With ceremony, unity, and a vision rooted deeply in tradition, the community officially ratified its own constitution. This powerful step toward self-determined governance reflects not only the resilience of the Haíɫzaqv people but also the growing momentum across Indigenous Nations in Canada to reclaim jurisdiction and reshape legal structures through their own laws, values, and leadership systems.
For Cochrane Sinclair LLP, the moment was not just newsworthy. It was personal, meaningful, and directly connected to our broader mission to support Indigenous self-determination through principled and collaborative legal work. Associate lawyer Amory Hall, a proud member of the Haíɫzaqv Nation, stood alongside his father and community during the ratification ceremony. Featured in coverage by The Guardian, Amory’s presence reflected the intersection of lived experience and legal expertise, and underscored the importance of this milestone through a deeply personal lens.
“We’re now the architects of certainty for ourselves.”
– Ḵ̓áy̓áx̌is Frank Brown, Haíɫzaqv hereditary chief
This sentiment captures the essence of what the Haíɫzaqv Nation has achieved. The constitution is not simply a policy document. It is a statement of sovereignty, identity, and collective responsibility.
Honouring traditional governance in modern form
The Haíɫzaqv constitution enshrines a model of governance that reflects the community’s traditional values while offering a clear and operational framework for leadership and decision-making. It establishes shared authority among hereditary leaders, the elected council, and the women’s council (Yím̓ás du Ḵ̓áy̓áx̌v). This balance is intentional and deeply cultural. It ensures that governance does not rest in a single source of power, but instead draws from the relationships, protocols, and wisdom that have guided the Nation for generations.
The document itself is shaped by ceremony, consensus, and an ongoing process of community consultation. It affirms that legal authority comes not from outside recognition, but from within the people who hold the land, the stories, and the responsibilities of governance.
This is a powerful act of legal expression. It is a constitution not granted or imposed by colonial institutions, but asserted by the Haíɫzaqv Nation itself, based on its own understanding of law and accountability.
Legal significance and broader implications
While the Haíɫzaqv constitution does not currently carry formal legal recognition under Canadian or provincial law, its impact is undeniable. It functions as a governance tool, a legal framework, and a constitutional anchor for future decision-making. It offers a clear and culturally grounded pathway for how the Nation will exercise jurisdiction over matters such as land, leadership, dispute resolution, and social development.
For other Indigenous Nations watching this development, it sets an important precedent. It proves that traditional law and modern governance are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they can work together to create systems that are both effective and rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing.
As lawyers working in the field of Aboriginal and Indigenous law, these moments are more than symbolic. They are substantive shifts in legal practice, jurisdictional assertion, and the growing recognition that Indigenous Nations do not need to fit into external systems to be valid, functional, and sovereign.
Cochrane Sinclair’s role and commitment
At Cochrane Sinclair, we are proud to walk alongside Indigenous Nations as they define and defend their futures. We do not claim to lead these movements. Rather, we offer legal tools, advocacy, and support that align with the visions our clients already hold for themselves.
Amory Hall’s participation in the ratification of the Haíɫzaqv constitution speaks to the values we uphold. As a member of the Nation and a dedicated lawyer, Amory brings more than professional experience to his work. He brings personal insight, cultural fluency, and a deep understanding of how law and identity intersect.
For Amory, this milestone was not simply a public moment. It was a continuation of generations of leadership, resilience, and care. To stand alongside his father and community, while also contributing his legal knowledge to the wider conversation, represents the kind of transformative leadership we are proud to support at Cochrane Sinclair.
Looking ahead
The ratification of the Haíɫzaqv constitution is a powerful reminder that Indigenous Nations are not waiting for permission to govern. They are doing the work. They are creating the structures. They are telling their own stories through the language of law, culture, and land.
We believe this is just the beginning. As more Nations assert jurisdiction in ways that reflect their values and traditions, legal practitioners, governments, and institutions will be called to engage with Indigenous law on its own terms. We welcome that challenge and will continue to support it with respect, rigour, and humility.
To learn more about the Haíɫzaqv constitution and read the original feature in The Guardian, follow the link here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/12/canada-indigenous-heiltsuk-constitution
