For Immediate Release: Haida Nation, B.C. recognize Haida Aboriginal title, a historic first in Canada

News Release

Haida Nation, B.C. recognize Haida Aboriginal title, a historic first in Canada

HAIDA GWAII – The Province of B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) stood in HlGaagilda and signed the historic Gaayhllxid • Gíhlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement, a first-of-its-kind negotiated agreement recognizing Haida Aboriginal title in Haida Gwaii.

Title recognition shifts the ownership and jurisdiction of land from the Crown to the Haida Nation in Crown law. The agreement provides for a staged implementation of the title, creating stability and certainty for all residents of Haida Gwaii, now and for generations to come.

CHN and the Government of B.C. have been working actively since 2021 to formally recognize Haida Aboriginal title in Haida Gwaii. The staged approach reflected in this agreement means that CHN and B.C. can determine in a planned and orderly way how the title will be implemented.

The agreement explicitly protects and maintains private property rights and existing government services and infrastructure in Haida Gwaii, including:

• Private property interests are confirmed and are not affected by this
• Local governments, public infrastructure, programs and services will continue under current B.C. laws.
• Highways, airports, ferry terminals, health care and schools are not
• Haida Gwaii residents will continue to receive municipal services and pay property taxes in the same way they do today.
• Provincially issued leases, permits and other approvals to use Crown lands and recreational access remain in effect over a several-year transition period, with future management to be negotiated with input from communities, businesses and

“Reaching this agreement has been no small feat,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Haida Nation. “It’s really a monumental stride, building on the work of past leaders of the Haida Nation and B.C. We have always asserted our sovereignty to Haida Gwaii and the surrounding waters. With this agreement in place, we are able to work toward implementing our title without conflict, based on yahguudang / yahgudáng (respect), with our ownership being properly recognized. Our work will benefit not only the lands, water, people and all beings of Haida Gwaii, but the province and Canada as well. This is a good day.”

Premier David Eby said: “Today, we are recognizing the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii – a milestone more than 20 years in the making. We are moving beyond a place where the Haida Nation’s rights were denied to a place where they are

recognized and upheld. This agreement offers greater stability for the people of Haida Gwaii with a step-by-step path forward, as we continue our work to build a brighter, more secure future for everyone.”

The Gaayhllxid • Gíhlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement builds upon past agreements. In 2021, the CHN, B.C. and Canada signed the GayGahlda • Kwah.hlahl.dáyaa “Changing Tide” Framework for Reconciliation, which signalled the three governments’ intention to work to resolve litigation around Haida Aboriginal title through negotiations and agreements. In 2023, the governments entered the Nang K’uula • Nang K_’úulaas Recognition Agreement, which recognizes the Haida Nation as the holder of Haida Nation title and rights, and the CHN as the governing body of the Haida Nation.

“Haida Gwaii is a unique part of our province. There are a number of factors that have created ideal conditions for an agreement with the Council of the Haida Nation recognizing Aboriginal title,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “What we’ve achieved on a government-to-government basis shows we can work to resolve matters through negotiations rather than having to turn to the courts. I am excited about what we have built together. It will continue to benefit everyone who calls Haida Gwaii home.”

Haida citizens voted 95% in favour of the agreement at a special assembly on April 6, 2024. Later this month, B.C. will introduce supporting legislation to formally recognize Haida Aboriginal title in provincial law.

Quick Facts:

• The Council of the Haida Nation has been the governing body for the Haida Nation for 50
• Haida Gwaii is located approximately 100 kilometres west of the northern coast of British Columbia and is a group of more than 200 islands totalling approximately one million hectares (3,750 square miles).
• The Haida have been on Haida Gwaii for
• The Council of the Haida Nation was formed in 1974 and the Constitution of the Haida Nation was formally adopted in 2003.
• The constitution mandates the CHN to conduct the external affairs of the Haida Nation and to steward the lands and waters of Haida Gwaii on behalf of the Haida Nation, ensuring that the Haida relationship with Haida Gwaii continues in perpetuity.
• The CHN has negotiated and signed agreements with other coastal First Nations, non- governmental organizations and local communities, and continues to work on agreements with both the federal and provincial governments.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Haida Nation, visit: https://www.haidanation.ca/
To learn more about Haida Title Lands Recognition Agreement, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/HaidaTitle
A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Bhinder Sajan
Deputy Communications Director Office of the Premier Bhinder.Sajan@gov.bc.ca

Simon Davies
Director of Communications Council of the Haida Nation simon.davies@haidanation.com 250 637-1130

Leanne Ritchie
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Leanne.ritchie@gov.bc.ca
250 896-4348

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

Backgrounder

What people are saying about Haida Title Lands Agreement

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs –

“Today is a historic and exciting day that we will proudly inform our children about. The Haida Nation and provincial government of B.C. are leading the way with this groundbreaking agreement recognizing Aboriginal title in Canada and profoundly paving the way for true reconciliation through the balancing of all interests in Haida Gwaii. This agreement shows that the treaty model is not the only path for reconciliation in the province. There is much work ahead for the Haida and for all other Nations working on implementation of their title and rights, and we expect more groundbreaking agreements to come. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to act as witness for this first agreement of its kind after years of our people heroically fighting for recognition of our title.”

Robert Phillips, political executive, First Nations Summit –

“The Haida Title Lands Agreement, which recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout the entire territory of the Haida people, marks a significant turning point in Crown- Indigenous relations, which until recently have been characterized by Crown denial of title and rights throughout the province. The Supreme Court of Canada has told us that a central purpose of treaties is to reconcile Aboriginal and Crown titles and rights. We’ve always said that recognition is the starting point for negotiations to reconcile Crown and Aboriginal title and rights. We hope to see many more recognition agreements concluded between B.C. and First Nations participating in the B.C. treaty negotiations framework in the coming years.”

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations –

“In the spirit of unity, respect and cooperation, the Gaayhllxid • Gíhlagalgang ‘Rising Tide’ Haida Title Lands Agreement embodies a historic journey toward recognizing Haida Aboriginal title in Haida Gwaii. This landmark agreement will begin to secure the Haida Nations’ legacy and set a precedent and framework for recognizing First Nations title rights in British Columbia. The agreement is a significant step toward self-determination and sovereignty over traditional territories, while balancing broader community interests.”

Geoff Plant, KC, lawyer, Gall Legge Grant Zwack LLP; former attorney general of British Columbia and minister responsible for treaty negotiations –

“Congratulations to the Haida Nation and B.C. for taking an important step together toward recognition, reconciliation and justice that will also build the certainty needed for all of us to prosper.”

Jennifer Rice, MLA for the North Coast –

“To witness such a historic and momentous occasion is a complete honour, a highlight of my career as the local MLA and a moment I will forever cherish. I would like to send my sincere appreciation and admiration to the past and present members of the CHN and all the Haida people, who have worked tirelessly to get to this moment. Your strength and resiliency is remarkable. While this agreement is long overdue, I am also proud of this massive milestone of unity.”

Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship –

“For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the strength, patience and determination and leadership of the Haida people charting a path that we are realizing today. To be a part of a provincial government that will formally recognize Haida’s Aboriginal Title throughout Haida Gwaii and what that will mean for all people on Haida Gwaii across B.C. and Canada is a true blessing.”

Lisa Pineault, mayor, Daajing Giids –

“I support this reconciliation work done by the Council of the Haida Nation and the Province of British Columbia in agreeing to negotiation, not litigation, and believe this agreement will bring certainty for all of the people of Haida Gwaii. It is the way forward and formalizes how we actually have been co-existing on Haida Gwaii for some time. I remain supportive of Haida title and curious of Haida peoples’ goals and objectives. It is undeniable to me that our success is intertwined.”

Sheri Disney, mayor, Masset –

“Haida title is a topic that has been in the background my whole life. Watching it come to the forefront today is progress. I look forward to participating in the next steps.”

Scott Cabianca, mayor, Port Clements –

“The Council of the Village of Port Clements congratulates the Haida Nation for their progress on the title agreement. The council is looking forward to participating in discussions with the Province and CHN going forward to encourage well-being and prosperity for all residents of Haida Gwaii.”

Johanne Young, Area D director, North Coast Regional District –

“As Area D director for the North Coast Regional District, I would like to congratulate the Xaada (Haida) people on achieving title from the Province. The Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement provides the recognition and respect to all Xaada citizens and especially to the knowledge keepers, many now departed from us, who shared their knowledge by testimony in effort of sovereignty for the future generations. Although much work is still to come for the Xaada, the Province, local governments and village councils, title provides a path forward and brings us into a new era of working collaboratively for the well- being of all.”

Kent McNeil, professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto –

“The Haida Title Lands Agreement is a very progressive step toward settling one of the many outstanding Indigenous land and jurisdiction claims in British Columbia. The Province and the Haida Nation have done what the Supreme Court of Canada has been encouraging governments to do for many years, namely settle these claims through negotiation and agreement rather than litigation. The Haida agreement is definitely an important step in the right direction.”

John McCulloch, vice-president of operations, Langara Fishing Adventures –

“On behalf of Westcoast Fishing Club, Langara Island Lodge, Langara Fishing Lodge and Queen Charlotte Lodge, we would like to acknowledge our respect for the Haida people and your steadfast resolve to gain recognition of title to Haida Gwaii. We congratulate the Haida people and your leadership on your most recent accomplishment on your reconciliation journey in gaining this recognition and look forward to working together with you, as always, to ensure Haida Gwaii yahguudang / yahgudáng – respecting Haida Gwaii.”

John Mohammed, president/owner, A&A Trading Ltd –

“As a forest-tenure operator in Haida Gwaii, we have always respected that we are guests on Haida land. We are excited for the Haida and this long-awaited recognition of their title. We look forward to the opportunity to support the Haida and the Province, as they work through the transition and into the future.”

John Ralston Saul, CC, O Ont, essayist and novelist –

“To advance reconciliation, there needs to be clarity of understanding between people. This amounts to a truth that works for all parties, a truth that is embraced by all people. Decades of dialogue, leadership by the Haida Nation and a commitment to work shoulder-to-shoulder on co-management of the land has led to this unique moment in Canada’s history. The Haida Nation, people of Haida Gwaii and the Province have built a new kind of agreement that recognizes Aboriginal title, while building on the shared love of all islanders for the archipelago. All of this puts in place a practical method for moving forward.”

Contacts:

Bhinder Sajan
Deputy Communications Director Office of the Premier Bhinder.Sajan@gov.bc.ca

Simon Davies
Director of Communications Council of the Haida Nation simon.davies@haidanation.com 250 637-1130

Leanne Ritchie
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Leanne.ritchie@gov.bc.ca
250 896-4348

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect