Bill S16 begins journey in Senate as Council of the Haida Nation awaits progress on recognition in Federal law

The path towards securing the Council of the Haida Nation as the government of the Haida People  has moved forward in the Canadian Senate, that as Bill S-16 was introduced to the Upper Chamber on Thursday.

The introduction of the Bill hailed by Gaagwiis (Jason Alsop) President of the Haida Nation, who was in Ottawa as part of the political timeline for the document.

"This Bill is a step toward reconciliation between the Haida Nation and the Crown. Gud ad Talang H/Gang. guixa TIl Yahda • TIl y'adee Gii gud ahl tálang hiGángulaang ('People working together to make it right'). This establishes the foundation to negotiate future agreements to recognize Haida Title and reconcile Haida and Crown governance on Haida Gwaii." 

The progress of the legislation  was noted by the Council of Haida Nation through their social media stream on Thursday.

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As the work of the Senate began on the Bill, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach raised the topic of recognition for the Council of the Haida Nation in the House of Commons on Thursday.

"Last year they secured legislation in British Columbia that officially recognized the Council of the Haida Nation as their government at long last.

Now this is a significant step away from the Colonial binds of the Indian Act, consistent with the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People.

My question, will Canada also recognize the Council of the Haida Nation and the government of the Haida "

Minister of Crown-Indigenous relations,  Gary Anandasangaree's reply noted of the journey of self governance for the Haida Nation, as well as to how discussions to strengthen relations with them would continue.

As the Skeena Bulkley Valley MP notes the Federal legislation follows pervious work in British Columbia that last year when all three levels of government gathered on Haida Gwaii.

July 2023 -- Haida Nation, Federal Government and Province sign Recognition agreement 

Once the government to government relationship is formalized it willmovze forward the discussion on land title and areas of other concern for the Haida Nation.

Further notes from the House of Commons can be explored here.

More notes related to Haida Gwaii can be reviewed here.