Understanding Secwépemc Law
A one-page introduction to Indigenous law and Secwépemc law, including stsq̓ey̓, tk̓wenm7íple7 and the role of Secwepemctsín.
What’s inside
- What is Indigenous Law? Indigenous law consists of the internal legal systems, traditions, and governance practices developed by Indigenous peoples to manage their societies, relationships, and territories
- Indigenous Law vs. Aboriginal Law: Aboriginal law is a set of rules made about Indigenous people by non-Indigenous governments. Canadian legislatures and courts create and define this area of law.
- What is Secwépemc Law? Secwépemc elders point to the concept of stsq̓ey̓ as denoting Secwépemc “laws” as marked on the land and connected to stories of the past.
- Facts, Fears & Fictions: Indigenous Peoples have always been lawful, you don’t need to be a lawyer to work with Secwépemc law, and Secwépemc law cannot be broken.
- Secwepemctsín & Secwépemc Law: Secwepemctsín is foundational to the rebuilding and revitalization of Secwépemc Law.
