The federal government of Canada took a significant step toward reconciliation with the Haida Nation when the House of Commons passed Bill S-16 on Nov. 7 with unanimous consent.
“Bills rarely achieve unanimous consent for passage,” said Taylor Bachrach, Member of Parliament for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, in an interview with Haida Gwaii News. “It’s a strong signal of support for reconciliation.”
The president of the Council of the Haida Nation, Gaagwiis (Jason Aslop), expressed his approval of the bill’s passage. “It shows respect for us and our ancestors from all sides,” he said.
The legislation formally acknowledges the Haida Nation’s inherent rights to governance and self-determination, recognizing the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) as the body authorized to act on behalf of the Haida people. This marks the first time the federal government has officially recognized the Haida Nation’s constitution.
Earlier this year, the B.C. legislature formally recognized the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title. Bachrach pointed to a “current asymmetry” between the two levels of government, noting that while B.C. has affirmed Haida title, the federal government had been slower to follow suit. “The two levels of government need to move forward together to create certainty,” Bachrach said.
The passing of Bill S-16 means the federal government now recognizes the CHN as a governing body with the authority to manage Haida rights and interests, which is in line with its constitution. “This is a sign of respect from the federal government, recognizing our constitution and the work we’ve already done together,” said Gaagwiis. The CHN has long collaborated with Ottawa on agreements such as those related to Gwaii Haanas and marine management.
“We appreciate Canada’s efforts in bringing this Act forward in the spirit of reconciliation,” Gaagwiis said.
The bill’s passage is a milestone that has been generations in the making. According to Bachrach, the support of non-Haida residents was crucial to the bill’s success in Parliament. He explained that Haida Gwaii’s unique geography, as a group of islands, helped the Haida Nation build the coalitions necessary to achieve this win.
Bachrach also noted the growing momentum for self-determination across Indigenous communities. “The Lake Babine Nation, near Burns Lake, is showing interest in pursuing similar steps toward self-governance,” he said. While Gaagwiis had no formal advice for the Lake Babine Nation, he welcomed the opportunity for dialogue. “We’re always happy to share what we’ve learned in this journey,” he said.
The passing of Bill S-16 is a historic achievement for the Haida Nation. “This marks a significant step toward recognizing and respecting the inherent rights of the Haida people,” said Gaagwiis. “It builds a foundation for future cooperation with the federal government and ensures the well-being of Haida Gwaii.”
Bachrach added, “I want to congratulate the Haida leadership on this historic step, which builds on generations of vision, persistence, and hard work.”
Both Bachrach and Gaagwiis cautioned that this is only the beginning. “This is the first step in a long journey,” Bachrach said. “For the Haida Nation, it’s the culmination of decades of work.”
Gaagwiis echoed this sentiment, saying, “This is something our people have been working on for years.”