Letter to Haida Gwaii Residents

June 27, 2024

Dear residents of Haida Gwaii,

We write to provide you with an update on the Province of British Columbia’s recognition of Haida Aboriginal Title on Haida Gwaii and announce a new on-island BC public servant to help answer questions and support implementation.

The Haida Nation Amendment Act, 2024, (the Act) which became, provincial law on May 16, 2024, confirms the Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement (the Agreement) and enshrines the recognition of Haida Aboriginal title in the laws of B.C.

The Council of the Haida Nation and BC have agreed that July 5, 2024, will be the date on which the Act and Agreement come into effect. Both governments are preparing to implement the Agreement in the orderly fashion it directs. We will continue negotiations through the anticipated transition period of two years.

BC’s recognition of Aboriginal title will have no impact on anyone’s private property or the jurisdiction of local governments. All provincial and local government services will remain unchanged on and after the effective date, and provincial laws will continue to apply.

Over the transition period, existing decision-making processes will be used while the Council of the Haida Nation and BC work together to reconcile BC and Haida Nation laws. Local governments, residents, and others will be engaged in this important work to build a future on Haida Gwaii, based on respect and recognition of Haida Aboriginal title.

The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation has created a position to provide a direct presence on Haida Gwaii while implementation planning is underway. If you have questions or concerns about the Agreement that you would like to discuss with a provincial representative, please reach out to Courtney Kirk, Director of Consultation and Engagement, Haida Gwaii at 1-250-213-5036 or by email through IRRCoastNegotiations@gov.bc.ca. Courtney’s office is located at the Ministry of Forests offices in Daajing Giids. For those living in other parts of the islands, alternative arrangements can be made. For any questions related to implementation of the Agreement for the Council of the Haida Nation, please reach out to the Council of the Haida Nation offices at 250-559-4468 or by email through info@haidanation.com.

Further information on the Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement can be found here: https://gov.bc.ca/HaidaTitle and here: https://www.haidanation.ca/. Sincerely,