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Gaagwiis Jason Alsop speaking on behalf of the Haida Nation
on Tuesday Morning in the Chamber of the BC Legislature |
Tuesday marked another significant day forward in the process of reconciliation for the British Columbia Government and the Haida Nation, with a delegation of Haida Nation Members travelling to Victoria to speak to members of the Legislature and to witness the passing of the provincial legislation.
“One of the barriers in reconciling our 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 of our inherent title and rights in Haida Gwaii.
This 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.” -- Gaagwiis Jason Alsop
The legislation, which is 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.
It came out of a 2021 Changing Tide Framework that set the path forward towards further agreements leading up to Crown recognition of Haida governance and Haida title on Haida Gwaii.
“It’s long overdue that we legally recognize with provincial legislation the rights of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation as the Nation’s government. This legislation was jointly crafted every step of the way and is the result of a progressive and incremental approach toward reconciliation.” -- Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice also had comments towards the Tuesday events, noting of the importance of the moment towards reconciliation.
“This legislation is a significant and important step needed to enact the GayG̱ahlda agreement, recognizing the self-determination of the Haida Nation. I am proud that the Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. are working shoulder-to-shoulder to achieve lasting reconciliation in Haida Gwaii.”
Earlier in the day, Ms Rice had welcomed the delegation to the Chamber noting of their arrival as part of the morning introductions
"I just want to echo the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation's welcome and introduction to the House of all the Haida members, which are all across British Columbia.
But as the MLA for North Coast, who has the pleasure of representing the people of Haida Gwaii, it's a really special day for me, not just because we are recognizing in colonial law, which is inherent and has been forever in Haida law.
But also because I have never had — in ten years of being MLA, ten years today, in fact, of being an MLA — I have never had this many constituents in Victoria at the same time, ever.
And I am ecstatic. So welcome. Háw'aa. Háw'aa."
The greeting can be viewed
through the Legislature video archive at the 10:20 AM mark.
The address to the Legisature by Gaagwiss, Jason Alsop recounted some of the past history of the Haida Nation and British Columbians from first contact, then taking the members through the smallpox epidemic and other diseases to the time of Governor Douglas and the joining of confederation by British Columbia.
From Royal commissions to Court battles on land issues, the Haida leader shared one milestone after another with the MLA's leading up to the 2021 framework and the third reading of the Haida Nation Recognition Act of the day.
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