Cultural Wood

The Haida Gwaii Cultural Wood Access Permit (HGCWAP) process is a co-managed process that merges the Free Use Permit (FUP) used by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range and the Right to Access Permit (RTA) previously used by the Council of Haida Nation (CHN) for access to trees for cultural purposes.

The intent of the new permitting process is to ensure accountability and more efficient management and utilization of the forests in the provision of wood for traditional and cultural activities.

The CHN and the BC Ministry of Forests (MFR) will facilitate respectful access to the forest for the long-term benefit of Haida Culture for generations to come.

Haida individuals can apply for trees for a specific cultural project such as a totem pole, canoe, or longhouse. However, the quantity and quality of timber will be dependent on what is needed to support the proposed project. The wood is intended for the purpose of the approved project only.

The applicant must complete the Cultural Wood Access Permit application and include specific volume requirements, blueprints, and letters of support for the project. The applicant will propose specific areas where the wood will be harvested together with the Process Coordinator. Wood source areas will be designated to ensure sustainable management practices and to ensure the appropriate quality of timber is used to match the proposed project.

Complete applications are submitted for review by an Advisory Board made up of representatives from the CHN, MFR, Band Council representatives from each village, and Hereditary chiefs.

Cultural Wood Application Form