Federal government affirms Aboriginal title over Haida Gwaii

The federal government will recognize Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia's northern coast in a historic agreement with the Haida First Nation.

The federal government will recognize Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia’s northern coast in a historic agreement with the Haida First Nation.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree says this is the first time the federal government has recognized Aboriginal title through negotiations.

He says in an interview that it’s a “hugely significant” achievement that will reset the relationship in a “very meaningful way.”

The Big Tide Haida Title Lands Agreement affirms that the Haida have Aboriginal title over all of the islands’ lands, beds of freshwater bodies, and foreshores to the low-tide mark.

The agreement transitions the Crown-title land to the Haida people, granting them an inherent legal right to the land. The transfer of the underlying title would affect how courts interpret issues involving disputes.

Anandasangaree says this will kick off a five-year transition period and will require legislation to iron out all the individual details about how this will apply in practice.

Ottawa says it will work “respectfully and co-operatively” with the Haida Nation on matters relating to Haida Gwaii.

It says both governments have agreed the shift will be “orderly and incremental” to provide stability to residents and other interest holders.