The Great Council of Chiefs was degraded by the previous government, says Turaga na Qaranivalu Ratu Inoke Takiveikata.
He said as a result, the rights of the iTaukei had slipped down the list of national priorities.
Speaking in the iTaukei language, Ratu Inoke said during the term of his imprisonment, the Bose Levu Vakaturaga was devalued and degraded.
The former politician was one of the three representatives of Naitasiri Province and the Kubuna Confederacy.
Ratu Inoke received a presidential pardon earlier this year after being in prison for more than 12 years for inciting mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in 2000.
He told the media he was grateful for the opportunity to be among other members of the council and that he had attended the meeting to observe the Bose Levu Vakaturaga and its progress so far.
He said the council would prioritise and protect the rights of the iTaukei, adding that everything discussed by the council would be taken up with the Government for consideration and ratification.
The two-day meeting was held at the Yatu Lau Lagoon Resort in Pacific Harbour in the province of Serua.
