Haisla Nation

Background
Negotiations
Other Activities
Planned Meetings

Background

Negotiating status

: Negotiating a comprehensive treaty settlement within the British Columbia Treaty Commission six-stage treaty process.

Negotiating affiliation

: Negotiating independently with Canada and British Columbia. Not affiliated with any tribal council or treaty group.

Location

: Main community is Kitamaat Village, 10 km south of Kitimat, at the head of Douglas Inlet, on B.C.'s North Coast. (17 reserves on 665.4 hectares.)

Number of Band Members: 1,639 (Source: Registered Indian Population by Sex and Residence November 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)

Negotiations

The Haisla First Nation entered the treaty process in January 1994, and is now in Stage 4 of the six-stage process, negotiating an agreement in principle.

Other Activities

Reconciliation Agreements

The Haisla are part of the Coast First Nations Turning Point Initiative, which has been working together to develop a new conservation-based economy on BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii.

In December 2009, the Haisla was one of six Coastal First Nations to sign the Coastal Reconciliation Protocol. Through the protocol:

$12.5-million provincial funding and $12.5-million federal stimulus funding will be provided to build a new, larger ferry terminal at Klemtu.
An estimated 150 jobs will be created to build the new ferry terminal at Klemtu.
A shared-decision process will be established for resource and land use that will create certainties for process and timelines in decision-making through the involvement of First Nations.
The Coastal First Nations will receive a total of $3.2 million over six years to fund their participation in the shared-decision making process.
The Province is including potential carbon offsets for the first time. As carbon offsets are determined, the Coastal First Nations will receive a portion of the carbon offsets within their traditional territories.
An Alternative Energy Action Plan will be created by both parties to advance alternative energy projects on the central and north coast.
A commitment on the part of the Province to work with the First Nations to ensure they receive an equitable portion of commercial recreation permits and tenures.

Land and Resource Use Planning

Since 2001, the Haisla Nation has redirected its focus to land-use planning with respect to the Coast Sustainability Initiative, economic development opportunities - particularly training and employment opportunities, and treaty discussions. As part of treaty negotiations they have been working on a treaty related measure (TRM) leading to a land offer - the TRM was completed in December 2005.

Other Initiatives

In February 2004, the Haisla and three other mid- and north-coast First Nations signed forestry agreements with the province that provide the First Nations with forest revenue and tenure opportunities. The agreement with the Haisla gives them $3.7 million in forest revenue sharing and 360,000 cubic metres of timber over five years in Tree Farm Licence 41, near Kitimat.

In April 2004, the province announced funding for a timber volume and value assessment for the Haisla to do a joint venture cedar shingle mill and high quality wood pellet plant.

In December 2004, the BC Cabinet appointed Haisla Chief Steve Wilson as one of five individuals to an interim board of directors to oversee the $135-million Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT).

The Haisla are also involved in negotiations with the private sector. In December 2005, the First Nation signed an agreement in principle with Kitimat LNG for the company's proposed Liquified Natural Gas Terminal Project. The project received provincial approval on June 6, 2006.

Simon Fraser University and the Haisla are involved in a joint learning strategy to improve education and employment in Kitamaat Village. SFU's business learning strategies group has been working with the village council to assess band member's educational needs and then devise and deliver customized training programs. In turn, the village council plans to develop businesses and jobs in fisheries, forestry and tourism in partnerships with nearby companies.

Planned Meetings

As dates are established for open public meetings, they will be publicized through the local media and on the British Columbia Treaty Commission website Negotiations Calendar.