Coastal First Nations: Stories from the Coast
Great Bear Initiative Guardians Gathering 🐻 🐺 ❤ 🌻
Stories From the Coast
Update: June 2023
It's been a busy month! We were honoured to be invited to witness the passing of the Haida Recognition Act in B.C.'s Legislative Assembly at the beginning of the month. The new bill is a significant recognition of Haida rights and governance and a testament to generations of hard work. We also reported on powerful work led by the Gitxaała Nation to bring an ancestor home, through their own laws and traditions, as well as an ec-dev success story — read about all this and more on the 2023 Guardian's Gathering below.
Emilee Gilpin
Senior Communications Advisor and Community Storyteller | Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative
HIGHLIGHTED STORIES
‘A Historic Day’: Haida Nation Recognition Act Passed in BC’s Legislative Assembly
The Haida Nation Recognition Act, which supports the Haida Nation’s inherent right of governance, has been adopted into provincial law in BC.
Gitxaała Bring Treasure Home, a ‘Historic Turning Point’ for the Nation
A pts’aan, a totem pole belonging to the Gitxaała Nation — sold 126 years ago during one of their “darkest periods in living memory” — has returned home, blessed and reawakened, in the presence of their ancestors.
‘Once in a lifetime economic opportunity’ — Gitxaała Nation purchases Crest Hotel
The Gitxaała Enterprises Corporation, the business entity of the Gitxaała Nation, recently purchased the Crest Waterfront Hotel which overlooks Prince Rupert Harbour.
IN OTHER NEWS
Congratulations to Kihlyahda Christian White and Candace Weir-White from Masset, Haida Gwaii who were awarded B.C.'s Achievement Community Award. "As Haida Cultural Ambassadors, Christian and Candace combine compassion, strength and understanding to elevate their people and community."
Muriel Milton, "78 years young and lives to get out just like her ancestors have," says her daughter Lou Ga Gwelks.
Canoe protocol in lək̓ʷəŋən territory for the Opening Blessing Ceremony for the Sacred Journey traveling exhibition which opens at the Royal BC Museum May 5. Canoe families presented themselves and asked permission to come ashore. Yím̓ás (hereditary Chief) λáλíya̓sila Frank Brown from the Heiltsuk Nation, executive producer and co-curator of the traveling exhibit, clarified the work honours and celebrates the first peoples of the lands and waters who have lived here for thousands and thousands of years.
2023 GUARDIAN'S GATHERING
It has been three long years since the annual Guardian's Gathering which brings together Guardians from all Coastal First Nations communities. Organized by the Coastal Stewardship Network and held in Haíłzaqv territory, the gathering was a great success, full of laughter, learning and love. Guardian's visited the Kunsoot Wellness Centre, visited various cultural sites with Heiltsuk archeologist Elroy White, and learned about the Nation's work with invasive green crabs in their territory. Guardians are busy at work this summer, doing training, courses, conducting surveys, monitoring and managing and more. Keep an eye out for more photos, videos and stories to come.
Connect with us
If you have any stories, news or community-relevant information you'd like to see CFN share on our platforms or shared in our newsletter, please don't hesitate to reach out. Email pitches, ideas, stories to egilpin@coastalfirstnations and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at the links below.
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