COUNCIL OF THE HAIDA NATION

The Council of the Haida Nation was formed in 1974 to organize citizens into one political entity. Part of the vision was a clear mandate to settle the land question.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Convention direct the Executives in the formulation of a proposal for negotiating a land settlement, the Executive seek the formalization and retention of aboriginal title rather than the surrender of their aboriginal rights forever. From the minutes of the Council of the Haida Nation, Executive Meeting Saturday, December 7, 1974.

Shortly after the inaugural meeting a delegation set out for Ottawa to secure funds for research and claims development.

From those beginnings, and over the past 40 years the CHN has been addressing the land question and has become a National government enacting legislation and policy affecting many aspects of life on Haida Gwaii. The consolidation of the CHN as a national government has worked hand-in-hand with collective action that Haida have taken to protect culture and ensure that our way of living continues.

The Hereditary Chiefs Council is made up of the Potlatched Hereditary Chiefs of Haida Gwaii.

The HCC meets every other month and provides the CHN with guidance and advice on important matters to protect the Nation’s culture. It’s members also serve on several CHN committees including the Haida Reconciliation Committee.

Click here to see the list of Hereditary Chiefs.

The President and Vice-president are elected by all Haida Citizens. Polling stations are set up in each region, HlGaagildaSkidegate, Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, Kxeen Prince Rupert and T'agwanVancouver.

President
Gaagwiis Jason Alsop

Vice-president
Stephen 'Buck' Grosse

Regional Representatives are elected by the Haida Citizens in each of those regions, four (4) representatives from HlGaagilda and Gaw Tlagée and two (2) representatives from Kxeen and T'agwan. There are also seats for representatives from the Skidegate and Old Massett Band Councils.

Gaw Tlagée Regional Representatives
Kuuyas 7waahlal gidaakLisa Hageman
Kalaagaa Jaad Tarah Samuels
Gaadgaas Erika Stocker
John Parnell

HlGaagilda Regional Representatives
Xyallaga Daaguuyah Desi Collinson
Kung Xangajii Shawn Cowpar
Daal Skil Randolph 'Randy' Pryce Jr.
Laura “Goox” Beaton

Kxeen Regional Representatives
W.R 'Bill' White
Delacy Jones

T'agwan Regional Representatives
Yaahl Guula Tasha Samuels
Deborah Bell

Old Massett Village Council (OMVC) and Skidegate Band Council (SBC) are elected by their membership and perform the function of a village government. Councils are responsible for the well-being of the communities and enact policies and programs in the areas of capital, education, membership, health, social development, etc. They are also mandated to protect the well-being of Band members and the community; to establish cultural programs, and undertake initiatives in economic development.

Village Councils are accountable to the each respective community’s membership and to the Constitution of the Haida Nation.

Old Massett Village Council (OMVC)

Chief Councillor: Donald “Duffy” Edgars
Councillors: Cecil Brown, Robert Brown, Lisa Bell, Benjamin Edgars, Brodie Swanson, Lisa White, Ashley Jacobson

Old Massett Village Council

Reception
p. 250.626.3337
f. 250.626.5440
e. omvcrec@mhtv.ca

OMVC WEBSITE

Skidegate Band Council (SBC)

Chief Councillor: William “Billy” Yovanovich
Councillors: Duane Alsop, David Crosby, Tracey Hageman, Michelle “Missy” McDonald, Trent Moraes, Michelle “Ooka” Pineault.

Skidegate Band Council

Reception
p. 250.559.4496
f. 250.559.8247
e. haida@skidegate.ca

SBC WEBSITE

The official mandate and responsibilities of the CHN are found in the Constitution of the Haida Nation, which was adopted in 2003.

The Mandate of the Council of the Haida Nation is Haida Gwaii and surrounding waters.

The CHN shall strive for full independence, sovereignty and self-sufficiency of the Haida Nation.

The CHN shall perpetuate Haida heritage and cultural identity, and will enact Policies for same.

CHN shall protect the Domestic and Foreign interests of the Haida Nation and Territories through long-term strategies, negotiations, and steps consistent with the objectives of the Haida Nation.

CHN shall promote a peaceful co-existence with other people and governments without compromise to the objectives of the Haida Nation.

CHN shall establish land and resource policies consistent with nature's ability to produce. The Policies will be applicable to all users of the Territories.

CHN shall regulate access to resources by Citizens of the Haida Nation and other users of Haida Gwaii.

CHN shall conduct the external affairs of the Haida Nation.

CHN shall provide for the Common Defense of the Haida Nation.

CHN shall keep the Citizens of the Haida Nation fully informed and shall keep a Record of Proceedings, and from time to time publish reports on the activities of the CHN, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, require confidentiality. CHN will publish Haida Laas as the official publication of the Haida Nation.

CHN shall establish Election Procedures, which must be adopted by the House
of Assembly.

CHN may delegate a consenting Haida Citizen to represent CHN on specific matters. Any Haida Citizen so delegated may have this responsibility rescinded by CHN.

CHN shall maintain a Secretariat:

a) The Secretariat shall be called Secretariat of the Haida Nation. This Society will include representatives of Council of the Haida Nation and Old Massett Village Council and Skidegate Band Council. The Secretariat will report to Council of the Haida Nation, and to the House of Assembly.

b) The Secretariat will administer the Treasury and Holdings and manage the Secretariat of the Haida Nation Programs and staff of the Haida Nation, as directed by the CHN, through adopted CHN Policy and Procedures.

c) Pursuant to the Policies and Directive of the CHN, the Secretariat may:

Borrow money on the credit of the Haida Nation with consent of the Council of the Haida Nation.

Regulate commerce with Foreign Nations and among domestic communities.

Coin money and regulate the value thereof.

Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imports and Excises, to pay the Debts and costs associated to supporting the Haida Governance, and provide for the general Welfare of the Haida Nation.

Employ such persons or institutions deemed necessary by the CHN to carry out the CHN mandate.

CHN may establish committees, institutions, and other processes to carry out the CHN mandate.

The House of Assembly (HOA) is the legislative body of the Haida National government. It is here that the CHN reports to the people of the Haida Nation on the progress of the work it has been directed to do through resolutions passed at the House of Assembly. As well as setting the mandate for the coming year, through motions and resolutions, this legislative body also passes laws that are consistent with the Constitution of the Haida Nation.The HOA is held on the third week of October of each year alternating between Gaw Tlagee Old Massett and HlGaagilda Skidegate. Besides the HOA the CHN meets on a quarterly basis and as required. Motions are discussed, debated and voted on by the citizens. Besides the HOA there are regular sittings of the CHN that are held quarterly, according to the seasons of the year to discuss progress on issues, make decisions as to next steps, and bring forward new business. The HOA and Quarterly meetings are attended by Haida citizens and spouses of Haida citizens. People who are not of Haida Ancestry, who are not employees of CHN, SHN, OMVC and SBC or guests asked to participate in discussion on specific Agenda items can be invited by the Executive. Public meetings other than the House of Assembly and Quarterly meetings are hosted from time to time by the CHN to give and receive information on specific issues.

Click here to see upcoming House of Assemblies.