The Province of B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation have signed 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.

“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 says the pact, twenty years in the making, 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.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.