The Supreme Court of British Columbia has formally recognized the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal Title to the terrestrial lands of Haida Gwaii, marking the first time the Court has issued such a declaration over an entire Indigenous Nation’s territory. The ruling builds on agreements reached in 2024 with Canada and British Columbia, the Rising Tide Agreement and the Big Tide Agreement, which set a framework for reconciling Haida, federal, and provincial laws during a transition period. Justice Giaschi found the evidentiary foundation sufficient to affirm Haida Title, acknowledging its practical effect in promoting reconciliation and upholding the honour of the Crown.
