PEOPLE WHO LOOK AFTER THE FOREST

Haida culture is our relationship to the land in its totality. Ginn7waadluwaan gud7ahl Kwaagiidang - everything depends on everything else. The old forests of Haida Gwaii have sustained and continue to sustain our way of life. In the past fifty years,
industrial logging has transformed the landscape of Haida Gwaii from diverse old forest to young, even-aged stands of one or two species. The major river systems that once provided Haida villages with salmon; large cedars for longhouses and monumental art; and, plants for food, medicines, fiber and animal habitat have been eradicated by logging without consideration for these values.

The Haida Nation is not against logging per se, but believes that logging can be done in a more responsible manner. Our position is that some places must be left intact and that logging be practiced in a way that does not spoil the land or waterways. This applies to every one who is logging. Nobody, including ourselves, has the right to wreck the land.


CREATION OF THE FOREST GUARDIANS

The elders, hereditary leaders, and elected representatives of Haida Gwaii are alarmed at the rate and extent of logging. In 1998, discussions among community members, elected officials and hereditary leaders about the state of the forests resulted in the Council of the Haida Nation taking steps to establish a Forest Guardian Program.
The adopted resolution is as follows:

By the undersigned Hereditary Leaders, Council of the Haida Nation representatives and Chief Councilors

To address our concerns about the forests of Haida Gwaii, And to build our capacity to assert responsibility for stewardship In our traditional territories.
- June 18, 1998

WHEREAS:

On May 16, 1998 an aerial reconnaissance of Haida Gwaii was made by over thirty people, including Hereditary Leaders, CHN officials, Band Councilors, respected ladies and young people.

In discussion after lunch in the Old Massett Hall, people spoke of their heightened awareness of the extent and magnitude of logging on Haida Gwaii.

Some of the concerns and issues we have about logging on our islands include
the following:

A large number of salmon streams have been logged out, and their ability to support the spawning cycle is greatly diminished.

The plants we collect for medicines, especially those that grow in valley-bottom forests, are disappearing.

The places for Taan to birth their young and rest in winter are getting few
and far between.

The cedar, which is vital to our culture, is being taken away at a rate that is
far in excess of its growth, and there is no sign of renewal.

When we address our concerns by talking with provincial agencies and officials, it only seems to drag problems out, to consume our attention and human resources without any meaningful effect on the rate of destruction.

We need to work together, including our neighbor communities, to make
our own plans and strategies to look after forests and meet our needs.

We need to use every means we can to gain control over decisions about
logging in order to ensure the recovery and well-being of our families, culture,
forests and streams.

We need to make changes with consideration and respect for those who make
their livelihoods and support their family households by working in the forest.

THEREFORE:

The undersigned will work together to look after Haida Gwaii, and support every effort that promotes sustainable use of the forest while protecting our lands and rights. The Haida Nation shall:

Catalogue and inventory the forests of Haida Gwaii and their many values such as cultural, economic and habitat;

Prepare plans, strategies and other stewardship initiatives to protect and sustain these values and restore or replenish those which have been damaged;

Participate in decision-making at all levels without compromising our position
and interests;

Explore every option for intervention where our culture or rights are infringed or
our lands are violated;

Monitor logging plans and timber supply reviews of the provincial government
and current license-holders, and assess and evaluate their impacts on our
concerns and needs;

Prepare recommendations for our consideration regarding inputs to forestry
decision-making at all levels;

Seek support from others and partnerships at all levels to realize
our goals and objectives.

TOWARDS WHICH UNDERTAKING WE LEND OUR SIGNATURES:

Ron Brown
President, Council of the Haida Nation

Kim Davidson
Chief Councilor, Old Massett Village Council

Wayne Wilson
Chief Councilor, Skidegate Band Council

Hereditary Leaders