Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site

History of Gwaii Haanas

In 1974, the dispute over the future of southern Moresby Island began with the advent of logging plans and a public proposal to protect the South Moresby Wilderness Area. In 1985, the Haida Nation designated the area a “Haida Heritage Site”. Logging continued in the area in the face of legal and political controversy until July of 1987, when Canada and British Columbia signed the South Moresby Memorandum of Understanding . One year later, the South Moresby Agreement was signed, paving the way to Canada's designation of National Park Reserve.

The Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement in 1993. The Agreement expresses respect for Canadian and Haida interests and designations, and includes a mutual commitment to the protect Gwaii Haanas.

Based on the Agreement, Gwaii Haanas is cooperatively managed by the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which is made up of an equal number of representatives from the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada. On January 16, 2010 the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement was signed, expanding the cooperative management partnership to include representation from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.  The AMB is responsible for all aspects of planning, operation, and management of Gwaii Haanas.

Gwaii Haanas provides a model of a respectful relationship between human beings and the earth. It is a place where people can learn about a way of life where humans are part of nature, where they can experience Haida culture and respect sacred and spiritual values. Traditional activities continue to take place here as part of the living and evolving culture of the Haida.

See also: Gwaii Haanas Agreement