Meaningful Relationships

SIGNIFICANCE

Meaningful Relationship refers to nurturing mutual trust and respect and requires a balance of self-determination, responsible development, cultural adaptation, climate adaptation, co- management, relationship building, and actively reconciling historical injustices.

ESSENTIAL

The Piikani governance systems have enabled a history of many positive relationships that produced significant mutual benefits.

Under Piikanissini, leadership has cultivated and sustained relations by applying protocols in accordance with sacred, customary and natural laws.

The Piikani have created strategic alliances, went to war when necessary, and entered into peace treaties.

The Piikani People are led into such relations by hereditary and appointed leaders. Prominent leadership roles take the form of Chiefs, Spiritual Leaders, Medicine people, Elders, Warriors and Specialized Skilled People.

The Piikani leaders are entrusted to uphold the Piikani’s inherent rights and to ensure the perpetuation of the Piikani way of life continued through relationship building.

PROPONENT

To Acknowledge & Respect:

• The Piikani governance, leadership and other prominent roles dedicated to preserving Piikanissini
• The term “meaning” and “meaningful” is co-defined and measured based upon Piikani values and beliefs
• Meaningful relationships with the Piikani Nation moves at the speed of trust
• The legacy of ecological and cultural assimilation and the history of all who participated
• The definition of responsible development and relationship building as defined and measured by the Piikani Nation will foster Piikanissini

PROTOCOL

Respect of Piikani nationhood and rightful place as the original people of this land is mandatory and is the basis of any potential relationship. Relationship building is monitored and measured based upon Piikani Values and Beliefs.

The Piikani history of survival and adaptations to forced assimilation and global industrialization does not constitute forfeiture, submission, or surrender of our land, identify, existence and Piikanissini.