Notice of Intent to Exercise the Right to Self-Determination

From: The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island To: All Nations, International Bodies, Governments, and the Public at Large

Date: April 16, 2025

We, the Indigenous People of Turtle Island —descendants of the First Nations and the original stewards of the lands now known as North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean—do hereby declare and submit this Notice of Intent to Exercise Our Right to Self-Determination as recognized by international law, ancestral law, and natural law.

Our intention is to formally and peacefully reassert our existence as a sovereign Indigenous Nation, governed by the will of our people and the enduring wisdom of our ancestors. We do not seek conflict, but rightful recognition. We are not forming a nation—we are restoring one that has always existed.

We base our right to self-determination on the following legal and historical foundations:

International Legal Foundations – UNDRIP

As affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), we cite the following articles as the legal and moral basis of our self-determination:

·       Article 3 – “Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

·       Article 4 – “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs...”

·       Article 5 – “Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions...”

·       Article 26 – “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.”

·       Article 33 – “Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity or membership in accordance with their customs and traditions.”

Historical and Ancestral Authority

Our people existed long before the concept of borders, empires, or colonization. Our governance systems, languages, sacred traditions, and spiritual lifeways have survived genocidal policies, forced removals, erasure, and reclassification. Despite centuries of harm, our identity remains unbroken.

We reclaim our status based on:

·       The original occupancy and stewardship of our ancestral territories;

·       The oral records and wisdom of our Elders and Clan Lineages;

·       The spiritual covenant between our people and the land;

·       Our ability and readiness to govern, protect, and sustain our Nation.

Scope of Self-Governance

The Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island has:

Ratified a constitution consistent with ancestral and international Indigenous law;

Established a National Council and internal departments for governance, justice, health, land, and diplomacy;

Begun enrollment of Citizens through a National Registry;

Declared our intent to peacefully engage with other Indigenous nations and world governments.

We hereby assert our intention to:

·       Operate as a sovereign Indigenous government;

·       Represent our people in all political, cultural, and diplomatic arenas;

·       Maintain peace, security, and cooperation with all other nations, peoples, and states;

·       Protect our lands, children, traditions, and rights from further exploitation.

We invite recognition, dialogue, and mutual respect.

So declared on this day, by the united Clans, Elders, and Citizens of the Ancestral Nation of Turtle Island.

This is our right. This is our law. This is our return.