Yesterday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on Haida Gwaii with federal government ministers, about at far west as a person can get in what we call Canada. They were there to publicly ratify a historic agreement with the Haida people. a small but feisty Indigenous nation who have reasserted sovereignty over their traditional lands during the past 40 years and more. The Haida came perilously close to being wiped out by European diseases and colonization turned these astonishingly beautiful and abundant islands into a cash cow for resource extraction. A stand-off on Lyle Island was the beginning of the end for indiscriminate logging and the impetus for establishing Gwaii Haanas National Park.
Last year the government of British Columbia signed a significant reciprocity agreement, a model for Indigenous peoples around the world. Now the federal government has done the same.
When we visited Haida Gwaii last year we were overwhelmed by the lush beauty and we loved our day trip by boat to a historic village in Gwaii Haanas. We were there for the summer solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day and witnessed Haida pride in many expressions. We've made a point of learning more about Haida culture and spirituality and in doing so became painfully aware of the attempts by Christian missionaries to extinguish traditions, including the insistences that totem poles be cut down and burned.
The agreement signed yesterday was another important step toward living out the commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As Christians and members of the United Church of Canada we can celebrate this moment, aware that there is much more to do.
I do love that participants in the celebratory dinner were asked to bring their own cutlery, plates, and bowls. I wonder if the PM and the federal ministers got the memo? I think we were at that recreational centre for a meal on Indigenous Peoples Day and we were made to feel welcome.
Here is an excerpt from the news release from the Prime Minister's office:
Today, the President of the Haida Nation, Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Gary Anandasangaree, announced the signing of the Chiix̲uujin / Chaaw K̲aawgaa “Big Tide (Low Water)” Haida Title Lands Agreement. The Agreement includes Canada’s recognition of Haida Aboriginal title to lands on Haida Gwaii and marks a significant milestone in the journey to reconciliation.
Canada’s recognition of Haida Aboriginal title on Haida Gwaii includes the foreshore and extends to the low-water mark. The Agreement does not affect private property interests or local and municipal governments on Haida Gwaii, and it confirms the continued delivery of federal public services. The Haida-Canada Archipelago Management Board will also continue to co-operatively manage Gwaii Haanas through a transition period, during which both governments will work to reconcile jurisdictions and laws.
The Haida Nation collectively holds inherent Haida title and rights as described in the Constitution of the Haida Nation. At a Special House of Assembly on November 24, 2024, Haida citizens voted 97 per cent in favour of the Chiix̲uujin / Chaaw K̲aawgaa “Big Tide (Low Water)” Haida Title Lands Agreement. As a result, the Agreement was signed by the Haida Nation and Canada on December 4, 2024.
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