The Intertribal Treaty Organization's opening year of operation in 2010 was to provide for the successful and sustainable future of our salmon fisheries. Indigenous people’s continued traditions and diet depend on the survival of significant fisheries within the Fraser and Columbia watersheds. We believe in the possiblility of the return of abundance to the once historic runs of these salmon fisheries and determine to work together to achieve this result.

The ITO welcomes you to share this vision to rebuild our fisheries based on the inherent rights of Indigenous Nations authority to these resources. By working together Nations can coordinate with other interests through the Intertribal Treaty Organization; a political body borne of the Intertribal Fishing Treaty Between Indian Nations; A Treaty of Mutual Purpose and Support, 1989. Besides exercising their rights in their own jurisdictions, Nations are united for a sustainable lifecycle of the salmon and the other migratory species that travel to and within their territories.

The vision developed for the treaty was to seek power in unity for the ultimate stewardship of the fisheries resources. As an integral part of Indigenous life, the fisheries requires our commitment to stand together for the management, responsibility, and care of this vital resource.
During 2009, the Intertribal Treaty Organization had developed its Constitution and Bylaws to structure governance that respects the political intricacies of each Nation and their respective authority. As a dispute resolution vehicle this Constitution and Bylaws looks out for the ultimate survival of the fisheries and balance of use in the cases of crisis. As stewards of the land and resources the Nations voices will be most powerful in unity.

The continued strength of the 1989 treaty will be in the development of policy that will furnish the vision of relationships between and amongst Nations. By seeking out the varying objectives, the differing heritage and practices of Nations, and establishing policy, the ITO will become a forum of understanding and a governing body that promotes the rights and responsibility of saving the salmon. Be it conservation, management, or environmental protection, the Nations united uphold the protection, rights, and jurisdiction of the many fisheries throughout their habitat and complete life cycle that extends beyond Indigenous Nations, and international borders.

The objectives for the coming years have been to develop a work plan that originates from workshops held over the past fiscal year and was reported on at the ITO Annual General Meeting, held March9-10, 2010. The conference was hosted by the Carrier Sekani in Prince George. Continued work is on the horizon in understanding and codifying our respective unwritten laws surrounding our fishing resources. The ITO will be instrumental in supporting Nations to re-establish their traditional economies including those of the trade and sale of fish. As the fisheries become active ITO continues to be a focal point in the development of protocol and policy that will assist leadership and communications amongst the Indigenous Nations of the Fraser and Columbia watersheds.

Thank you for your support and recognition of the need to stand united for the survival of the salmon fisheries.