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News Release, Gitxsan Territories

The Gitxsan hereditary chiefs are looking forward to a Supreme Court of Canada decision Nov. 18 (9:45 a.m. EST) that will have major implications on resource extraction activities on First Nation territories.

The case, initiated by the Haida and Tlingit peoples in northwest BC, is based on the Gitxsan’s Delgamuukw SCC ruling from 1997 and concerns what is deemed to be sufficient consultation and accommodation on aboriginal rights and title before the province sanctions activities such as logging and mining on traditional territories.

The Gitxsan have always maintained that any consultation or accommodation on their traditional territories must respect that decision-making authority rests with the Huwilp (House groups) in the traditional governing system. The hereditary chiefs are seeking clear direction from the SCC in that vein.

“Decision-making on all development and resource activities that effect our lax yip (land) rests with the Huwilp,” said Gitxsan treaty negotiator Gwaans (Beverly Clifton-Percival). “BC refuses to acknowledge we have rights and title over the territories. They won’t seriously consider how to make the process of consultation and accommodation fair and workable. That attitude ignores what recent court decisions have directed them to do.”

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs maintain that meaningful consultation and accommodation will help turn around the dreadful social and economic conditions found in the traditional territories where unemployment rates are more than 90%.

“The province wants certainty from us and holds that up as key to economic renewal but what kind of certainty are we getting when they refuse to follow court decisions?” said Gwaans. “You can see the devastation that exists on our territories from logging. We didn’t do that but that is what created our most recent economic uncertainty. We did not destroy the forest economy – the province and the companies did. We want sustainability and we are not alone it that. Gitxsan and non-Gitxsan alike are suffering as a result of provincial government policy.”

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For more information:
Gwaans (Beverly Clifton-Percival), treaty negotiator, Gitxsan Chiefs’ Office, (250) 847-0603
Gordon Sebastian, Gitxsan Chiefs’ Office executive director, (250) 842-6780, (250) 847-9224