A draft title agreement has been released by the province and Haida Nation.
“We have arrived at an agreement that avoids costly litigation and instead provides stability for all residents with an orderly and incremental approach to implementation of Haida Aboriginal Title,” said Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Murray Rankin.
According to the First Nation, negotiations about creating the agreement began in 2019 with the hopes to settle a 50-year-old dispute around Haida Title and Rights.
The agreement would give the nation further governance on Haida Gwaii by recognizing and affirming the nation’s title.
If passed, the agreement wouldn’t impact provincial services like schools, highways, airports, ferry terminals, and healthcare, or municipal services.
“Going forward, the Haida Nation and the Province will negotiate how provincial law and Haida Nation governance can work together, following extensive engagement with local governments, residents, and others,” said Rankin.
Approval of the draft is still pending a vote being held April 6th.
The minister’s full update and a link to the draft can be found on the Government of BC website.