2010-Present
2010
The Haida Nation respectfully repatriates the name “Queen Charlotte Islands” back to the Crown.
BC Hydro rejects NaiKun Wind Development Inc.’s proposal for a long-term power purchase agreement as it is too expensive relative to other options.
To protect their lands and waters, and to assert ongoing Title to their lands, the Unist’ot’en build a camp along the proposed pipeline corridor in Wet’suwet’en territory. This corridor is the proposed route for Enbridge, and Coastal GasLink and the Pacific Trail Pipeline.
BC passes the Clean Energy Act, which includes objectives to conserve energy, reduce BC Hydro’s expected increase in demand by 66% through demand-side measures by 2020 and reduce BC greenhouse gas emissions to 33% below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
2011
Haida Gwaii CoASt is resurrected — the acronym now stands for Communities Against Supertankers — to fight the Northern Gateway Pipeline project.
Members of the Haida Nation vote overwhelmingly “no” to partnering with the NaiKun offshore wind project over ecological, cultural, and financial concerns.
2012
An Island Energy Plan is developed for the Haida Nation. The publication advocates for community energy focused on four main areas: energy and waste reduction, heating, and transportation.
The people of Haida Gwaii say a resounding “no” to the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline at the Joint Review Panel hearings held in Gaw Tlagée and HlGaagilda; over 200 people, including children as young as five, testify.
The second largest earthquake on record in the colonial state of Canada occurs off the coast of Haida Gwaii with a magnitude of 8.1. This event reminds the world that offshore drilling is not logical, let alone good for the environment.
The Village of Port Clements in ‘Waan kún/Gamadiis raises funds for five solar installations in four Island communities. The solar installations save more than 150,000 kilowatts of power annually.
A young Haida photographer begins working with Haida citizens on an Anti-Enbridge campaign, which spreads like fire on social media.
2013
Inspired by the JRP Hearings and the Anti- Enbridge campaign, Saahlinda Naay the Haida Gwaii Museum puts on the exhibit Thanks, but no Tanks, a critical inquiry into the social, spiritual, environmental and economic impacts of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.
2014
Despite widespread opposition by Indigenous Nations and the greater public, Canada approves Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline.
First turned down in the 1980s, BC approves the Site C hydroelectric dam despite opposition by Indigenous Nations and the greater public. The dam would flood 83 km of the Peace River Valley to fuel LNG projects.
The fuel-laden Simushir loses power in Haida waters during gale force winds. With extreme weather and no emergency vessels on Island, it takes 39.5 hours for the Barbara Foss tug to take it safely in tow.
In response to the approval of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline, a group of Haida and Island citizens help create a stop motion animation, Haida Raid 3: Save our Waters, to send a message that people on the coast are united against all fossil fuels, including LNG, through Haida Territories.
2015
Haida Gwaii raises $20,000 for the Pull Together campaign that unites seven coastal Nations against the Northern Gateway Pipeline and the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission releases its report with ninety-four calls to action.
The Haida Nation and BC release the Haida Gwaii Marine Use Management Plan.
2016
Canada adopts UNDRIP, promising to implement it within their laws.
The Canadian courts quash Enbridge’s Northern Gateway stating that the federal government has failed in its duty to properly consult affected First Nations.
The Skidegate Saints callout corporate sponsorship at the beloved All Native Basketball tournament. The reigning champs raise critical awareness about oil and gas proposals that threaten the Northwest Coast. The team distributes information and gives away blue NO LNG shirts stating, A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT = A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
The Haida Nation and Haida Gwaii CoASt host an Island-wide event in Gaw Tlagée celebrating the end of the Northern Gateway. Friends from across the coast join Haida Gwaii in the victory.
Two days after Canada approves the Pacific Northwest LNG project on Lelu Island (in Tsimshian territory near Prince Rupert), citizens of Haida Gwaii let their opposition be known by wearing blue “NO LNG” t-shirts during the royal visit of Prince William and Kate.
The president of the Haida Nation advises BC Premier Christy Clark, a vocal promotor of LNG, that she is not welcome to join the Royals.
A delegation of Haida citizens travel to join with the Standing Rock Sioux and water protectors to stand against the proposed and partially built Dakota Access Pipeline. Haida Gwaii holds a solidarity rally in support in HlGaagilda.
Directed by Haida citizens, the CHN declares opposition to the bulk transport of all fossil fuels through Haida Territories. “It is the Nation’s responsibility to steward the land, sea, and air so that future generations are able to enjoy what we have today,” states the Nation’s public announcement.
Swiilawiid Sustainability Society is formed by local residents to help create and innovate sustainable solutions that maintain Haida Gwaii’s well-being.
American tug and fuel barge Nathan E. Stewart sinks in a rich harvesting and cultural area of the Heiltsuk Nation, spilling 100,000 litres of diesel fuel and 3,600 litres of heavy oil after a lone crew member falls asleep. The sinking demonstrates Canada’s and BC’s inability to respond to even what was considered a “small” fossil fuel spill. Canada’s emergency response demonstrates lack of capacity, and the Heiltsuk take matters into their own hands.
2017
HlGaagilda installs solar panels on the Xaaydas Giinaa.ah Naay Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay, making it one of the largest community-owned installations in the colonial state of BC.
After years of the Tsimshian Nation and supporters defending salmon in the Skeena Estuary, Malaysian company Petronas cancels the $36B LNG project, putting an end to one of the largest industrial projects proposed in Canada.
A carved cedar pole is raised on Lelu Island as the Tsimshian continue to uphold their inherent Rights and Title and declare permanent protection for the Skeena Estuary and salmon within.
With Kinder Morgan on the verge of pulling out of its massive crude oil pipeline proposed to Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw Squamish, selilweta?? Tsleil-Waututh and xwme0kweỳem Musqueam territory, the colonial state of Canada announces it will buy the TransCanada pipeline for $4.5B of taxpayers money with a further $3M bonus to top executives.
Canada passes a private member’s bill, Romeo Sanganash’s Bill C-262, to bring UNDRIP into Canadian law. Five days later the Liberal and Conservative parties vote that UNDRIP shouldn’t be applied to the Kinder Morgan Pipeline Expansion project.
BC confirms the construction of the Site C hydroelectric dam will go ahead.
2018
Swillawiid Sustainability Society and the Haida Nation host Building Community Power Together: a Renewable Energy Symposium in Gaw Tlagée. Three themes emerge at the gathering: We know what kind of energy we don’t want (oil and gas) and need to chart a different path; Haida Gwaii must look to the past to lead us into the future; local ownership and control is a must.
At the symposium, local governments and Island citizens sign the Island Energy Declaration that commits to making Haida Gwaii energy sovereign by 2023.
Federal Court of Appeal overturns the Canadian government’s approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, saying Canada “fell well short of the mark” consulting with First Nations. Court orders Canada to go back to the drawing board and redo the approvals process: construction halted.
2019
A decade after Gaaysiigang: An Ocean Forum for Haida Gwaii, a second Gaaysiigang is held to look at actions taken, to celebrate what has been achieved and to write the next chapter.
With threats from the RCMP and Coastal GasLink in Wet’suwet’en territories, Haida Gwaii holds solidarity rallies and raises thousands of dollars to send to Wet’suwet’en land and water defenders, specifically the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre.
Canada re-approves the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion project that will carry oil from the tar sands to the coast.
After almost half a century of public resistance to oil tankers on the North Coast, Canada passes Bill C-48 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act that prohibits oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or oil products as cargo on the North Coast, and around Haida Gwaii.
It is the minimum protection that the federal government can provide to align with existing Indigenous laws prohibiting oil tankers from this coast. The ban does not include liquefied natural gas (LNG).
2020
RCMP violently raid Wet’suwet’en territories at Unist’ot’en and the Gidimt’en checkpoint and arrest land defenders. In response, Shut Down Canada organizers hold demonstrations, occupy buildings, and bring roads and railways to a standstill.
In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Haida Nation declares a State of Emergency. In order to keep our Elders safe, Haida Gwaii is closed to non-residents for over a year.
2020-21
Swiilawiid Sustainability Society and Saahlinda Naay the Haida Gwaii Museum partner on a new program, Hlk’yak’ii: To Start a Fire. Created to support food, clean water and energy independence through language, arts and culture.
A team of enthusiasts start to develop an Island-wide food and clean water strategy that is informed by Elders, youth, leaders, farmers, gardeners, and food harvesters and producers. This work includes a series of online webinars. Excerpts of the webinars can be viewed in this exhibition; the strategy continues to be developed.