Haida Gwaii Village Officially Restores Ancestral Name

The provincial government has confirmed the former Village of Queen Charlotte on Haida Gwaii will be officially recognized as the Village of Daajing Giids, restoring its ancestral Haida name.

The provincial government has confirmed the former Village of Queen Charlotte on Haida Gwaii will be officially recognized as the Village of Daajing Giids, restoring its ancestral Haida name.

The village council worked closely with local Indigenous Nations and engaged the local community prior to submitting the proposal to the Province.

Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen says the government will continue to support local governments across the province to develop even stronger relationships with Indigenous Nations .

In 2019, the Province passed legislation to align provincial laws with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Declaration Act establishes a clear framework for moving reconciliation forward, including exploring new ways to strengthen government-to-government relationships and work together on good governance at the community level.

Kris Olsen, mayor, Village of Daajing Giids, says it’s been a gift and an opportunity to make things right and show respect to the Haida Nation. This municipal name restoration is the first in the province.

Such a move is identified in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People as an important step to reconciliation and a component of recognizing, preserving, and strengthening Indigenous histories, languages, and cultures.