The B.C. provincial government officially recognized the Haida NationB次元官网网址檚 inherent right of governance on May 9 at a historic ceremony in the legislature.
The induction of new legislation, titled the Haida Nation Recognition Act, is the latest in a number of mutual commitments. Together, the Haida Nation, B.C. and Canada have been working toward reconciliation for more than two decades, a press release stated.
Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said the legislation was passed every step of the way in partnership with Haida Nation.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something that I think will help us forge a better path together in the future because this legislation recognizes within provincial laws that the Haida Nation has inherent rights of governance and self-determination. The Council of the Haida Nation is the government of Haida Nation,B次元官网网址 he said.
B次元官网网址淭he new legislation represents a significant step toward reconciliation, or Gud ad TB次元官网网址檃lang HlG滩ang.gulx滩a Tll Yahda B次元官网网址 Tll ya虂B次元官网网址檃dee G瘫ii gud ahl tB次元官网网址檃虂lang hlG瘫a虂ngulaang (B次元官网网址淧eople working together to make it rightB次元官网网址), the media statement reads.
Gaagawiis Jason Alsop, president of the Haida Nation and a delegation travelled to Victoria to address members of the legislative assembly to witness the passing of legislation and explain what the bill means to the Haida people.
B次元官网网址淭his act begins to right that wrong and serves to lay a proper foundation for negotiations of recognition of Haida title. Today, we are finally able to acknowledge each other and to work, government-to-government, with respect and integrity. The Haida Nation welcomes and celebrates this legislation,B次元官网网址 he said.
In 2021, the Haida Nation, B.C. and Canada entered into the GayG瘫ahlda B次元官网网址淐hanging TideB次元官网网址 framework to advance collective work on reconciliation. GayG瘫ahlda is the framework for the parties to negotiate further agreements leading to Crown recognition of Haida governance and Haida title on Haida Gwaii.
Jennifer Rice, MLA for the North Coast, said she is proud that the council of the Haida Nation and the province are working B次元官网网址渟houlder-to-shoulderB次元官网网址 to achieve lasting reconciliation.
B次元官网网址淭his legislation is a significant and important step needed to enact the GayG瘫ahlda agreement, recognizing the self-determination of the Haida Nation,B次元官网网址 she said.
Gaagawiis said one of the barriers in reconciling the differences with B.C. and Canada has been the lack of formal recognition of the Council of the Haida Nation as the governing body of the Haida Nation and their inherent title and rights in Haida Gwaii.
Rankin said the legislation is long overdue.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a result of a progressive approach to reconciliation. I think it shows the strength of our relationship and our ability to get things done together in a good way,B次元官网网址 the Minister said.
B次元官网网址淎s a first step in this work, the parties have negotiated a tripartite Haida Nation recognition agreement, in which B.C. and Canada agree to legislate recognition of the inherent rights of governance and self-determination of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation as its government. The new legislation fulfils that commitment for the Province.
Collectively, reconciliation agreements and supporting legislation provide a foundation for further steps to be taken together, government to government, to fulfil responsibilities and create a path for a better future together,B次元官网网址 the press release states.
The Council of the Haida Nation was formed in 1974 and the Haida Nation constitution was enacted in 2003, Rankin explained.
B次元官网网址淭his is about the stability of a governance system that predates that of course, but as reflected most recently in those significant things. That is why the province of British Columbia and soon the Government of Canada will recognize the reality that the Haida has known for generations and generations and generations,B次元官网网址 the minister said.
B次元官网网址淭his law is about changing the entire legal framework of the Crown and recognizing what the Haida Nation have long recognized.B次元官网网址
K-J Millar | Editor and Multimedia Journalist
Send K-J email
Like the on
Follow us on