Building on the 2007 Strategic Land Use Planning Agreement, the Council of the Haida Nation and the Province of British Columbia signed the Kunst’aa Guu – Kunst’aayah Reconciliation Protocol in 2009. This agreement recognised the differing views of both parties with regards to sovereignty, title, ownership, and jurisdiction over Haida Gwaii whilst endeavoring to establish a more productive relationship to land and natural resources management.  Through this approach, both parties committed to strengthen the relationship between environmental, socio-well-being and economic development on Haida Gwaii.

The Haida Nation collectively holds Hereditary and Aboriginal Title and Rights to Haida Territories and the cultural and intellectual property rights of the Haida Nation.  All people of Haida ancestry are citizens of the Haida Nation. Every Haida citizen has the right of access to all Haida Gwaii resources for cultural reasons, and for food or commerce consistent with the Laws of Nature as reflected in the laws of the Haida Nation.

Haida Proclamation

Our culture is born of respect, and intimacy with the land and sea and the air around us. Like the forests, the roots of our people are intertwined such that the greatest troubles cannot overcome us. We owe our existence to Haida Gwaii. The living generation accepts the responsibility to ensure that our heritage is passed on to following generations.