Category Archives: News

FRACTURED LAND – Skidegate and Old Massett

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What would it be like to live alongside one of the shapers of human events, in their youth, before they transformed history? In Fractured Land, we follow Caleb Behn, a young Dene lawyer who may become one of this generation’s great leaders, if he can discover how to reconcile the fractures within himself, his community and the world around him, blending modern tools of the law with ancient wisdom. 

Haida Gwaii CoASt is so pleased to be a co-sponsor of these screenings of FRACTURED LAND next month in Skidegate and Old Massett. Caleb Behn, the young Dene lawyer whose story is told in this film, will be here to speak to this documentary and answer your questions about Indigenous rights and fracking impacts in his territory.

Performing House at Kay Llnagaay | Thursday, April 21st | 7pm

Tluu Xaadaa Naay Longhouse | Friday, April 22nd | 7pm

ADMISSION IS FREE – EVERYONE WELCOME

Community Q&A with Caleb Behn following the movie

Sponsored by Council of the Haida Nation, Haida Gwaii CoASt, and Gwaii Trust Society

Write to the Environment Minister before March 11th!

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Dear family, friends, and allies:

As you may already know, the Pacific NorthWest LNG project proposed by Petronas has been under environmental review since 2013. On February 10th of this year, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) issued its draft report that states:

“The Agency concludes that the Pacific NorthWest LNG Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, on harbour porpoise and as a result of greenhouse gas emissions … With respect to all other valued components, the Agency concludes that the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects taking into account the implementation of the key mitigation measures.”

Those of us who have fished this coast and enjoyed its wealth know that this project will cause immeasurable damage to our ocean and quality of life. Continue reading →

British Columbia Supreme Court Decides That The Province Cannot Abdicate Its Authority

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[Originally published on mondaq, February 23, 2016]

Recently the British Columbia Supreme Court (“Court”) released its reasons for judgment in Coastal First Nations v. British Columbia (Environment), 2016 BCSC 34. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (the “EAO”) had entered into an equivalency agreement (the “Agreement”) with the National Energy Board (“NEB”). The Agreement allowed for the EAO to rely on an environmental assessment from the NEB related to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project (the “Project”). The   Court found that the Province of British Columbia had abdicated its statutory duties and breached its duty to consult with the Coastal First Nations when it signed and failed to terminate the Agreement that provided the NEB with sole jurisdiction over the environmental assessment decision-making regarding the Project. Continue reading →

Join us in letting Justin Trudeau know Haida Gwaii says yes to a tanker ban

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The waters and wilderness of the North West are in the forefront of 2016 as we ask for prompt action to formalize the tanker ban for our coast.

What great news we had on Friday November 13th 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a moratorium on crude oil tanker traffic through our North Coast!

On the chilly morning of November 14th many Haida Gwaiians out and about at the mouth of the Hiellen River joined us at CoAST in affirming our desire to protect our waters. Thank you to all !

We have been signing post cards to thank our Prime Minister for the move – please get in touch with us to sign yours. The postcards are available at Green Gaia’s in Masset, Queen B’s and Isobel Creek in Charlotte.

As the CBC reports, it is still unclear how the moratorium will impact the Northern Gateway Pipeline, and more so, (LNG) tanker traffic. We invite you to stay tuned with us at Haida Gwaii CoASt, and are grateful for your continued support.

Haaw’a to all!

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: Looking to have the federal decision on the Enbridge pipeline ruled ‘invalid’

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First Nations on the coast including the Haida are taking Canada to court to have the JRP review of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline declared invalid.  Stay tuned for the hearing:

Federal Court of Appeal
October 1 – 2 and 5 – 8, 2015
Vancouver, BC
Open to the public.

From the Council of the Haida Nation:

The next milestone in the ongoing effort to defend northern BC from oil pipelines and supertankers is just around the corner. Please see attached PDF: CHN Legal Challenge Overview 2015.8.12

Continue reading →

Ride the Tide 2015 Gets the No Tanker Message Out

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On Friday July 3rd, Haida Gwaii came together on Masset inlet to show their support for a Tanker-Free ocean, and rode the tide from Gaauu (Old Massett) to Masset harbour.  Part of Pull Together’s “Week to End Enbridge,” the ‘Ride the Tide’ event shaped up in true Haida Gwaii style with Christian and Candace’s Haida Canoe alongside paddle boarders and kayakers from across the islands.  There was a crush of people, naaniis (grandmothers), youth and spectators all along the shore following the action and cheering on the paddlers.

A huge thank you/haw’aa to Christian White and Candace Weir for bringing the canoe out.  As well to Guy Kimola for documenting the event so well, and Jim Hart and his crew for coming out to show their support.  Haw’aa to Harmony and Old Massett Youth Centre for providing rides.  A big haw’aa/thank you to all who came out to paddle and take show that Haida Gwaii stands unified in protection of our waters!