VANCOUVER, BC, Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and
səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The BC Treaty Commission congratulates
the Haida Nation and the Government of British Columbia on a groundbreaking
negotiated approach to title recognition. The introduction of the
Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act, 2024, marks a significant
step towards recognizing and affirming Haida title through
legislation.
The Treaty Commission and the negotiations framework have
evolved and is flexible to support these types of innovative and
unique agreements. The treaty negotiations framework facilitates
the negotiation of treaties, agreements, and other constructive
arrangements – consistent with the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and new policy
developments.
The recent Gaayhllxid • Gίihlagalgang "Rising Tide" Haida Title
Lands Agreement, and this bold step to introduce provincial
legislation recognizing Haida title throughout Haida Gwaii
demonstrate that negotiations continue to be a strong pathway to
advance reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous title, rights,
and jurisdiction. These innovations also protect private lands and
interests and promote peaceful coexistence throughout Haida
Gwaii.
"This is a historic time. The Haida Nation has always been
steadfast on charting their own title recognition and the Treaty
Commission has been supporting their journey," says Chief
Commissioner Celeste Haldane. "The
negotiations process has evolved over the years, and we are seeing
more and more innovative approaches to self-determined recognition
of rights and title through various agreements and arrangements.
The recognition of Haida title is consistent with the original
intent of the BC Claims Task Force and its 19 recommendations,
which has often been weighed down and blocked by government
mandates. This legislation implements the original intent and
purpose of the made-in-BC negotiations process and is long
overdue."
Quick Facts:
- In March, the Council of Haida Nation (CHN) and British Columbia achieved the Gaayhllxid •
Gίihlagalgang "Rising Tide" Haida Title Lands
Agreement.
- In 2021, CHN and the governments of British Columbia and Canada signed the GayG̱ahlda "Changing
Tide" Framework for Reconciliation agreement, setting out the
process for ongoing negotiations.
- The Parties at the Haida negotiations table are engaging in
tripartite reconciliation negotiations supported within the BC
treaty negotiations framework. This agreement is not a treaty; the
Haida Nation is negotiating their own self-determined recognition.
The made-in-BC negotiations process was established for all First
Nations to pursue similar independent paths to reconciliation.
ABOUT THE BC TREATY
COMMISSION
The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for
overseeing treaty and tripartite reconciliation negotiations among
the governments of Canada,
British Columbia and First Nations
in BC. It has three main roles: facilitation, funding, and public
information and education.
SOURCE BC TREATY COMMISSION