Haida Nation’s Title Over Haida Gwaii Recognized

Photo Credit: Felipe Fittpaldi/Province of BC via National Observer

On Apr. 14, the Council of the Haida Nation and the BC government signed the Gaayhllxid/Gíhlagalgang "Rising Tide" Haida Title Lands Agreement.  This agreement recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal Title throughout Haida Gwaii, legally guaranteeing that Haida Gwaii is the territory of the Haida Nation in Crown law.

It is the first time that the Canadian government has recognized the title of an Indigenous nation across an entire terrestrial area, and also the first time such recognition has happened outside of a court. 

This agreement came after over two decades of the Haida Nation working with the BC government toward collaborative decision-making and resource use. The process of seeking formal recognition of the Haida Nation’s title over Haida Gwaii was started in 2002, but was only recently pushed through and followed up on. 

Haida citizens voted on Apr. 6 to approve this new agreement, with over 500 votes cast and 95 per cent of votes in favour of approving this action.

Haida Gwaii’s location relative to other locations in BC | Photo Credit: Google Maps

Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Haida Nation, said it has not been an easy path to reach this agreement. He said in a statement that it builds upon the work of many previous leaders and is “monumental.”

Gaagwiis continued, “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.”

The Gaayhllxid/Gíhlagalgang "Rising Tide" agreement will be implemented in stages, “creating stability and certainty for all residents of Haida Gwaii, now and for generations to come,” according to the BC Gov News website. 

Although the Aboriginal title is recognized, there will be no impact on private property and local government lands and jurisdiction. Private property interests, transportation, health care, emergency services, and schools are not affected by this agreement. The local governments and public infrastructure will continue to operate under the current BC legislation. 

In the coming years, the Province of BC and the Haida Nation will negotiate about shifting the land to the Haida Nation. With the input of local governments and residents, they will negotiate how their laws can work together.