KITASOO / XAIXAIS FIRST NATION

PROTOCOL ON THE ENVIRONMENT

 

June 2, 2000

 

The Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation of British Columbia has controlled and managed the environment and natural resources within their territories for thousands of years.  This territory takes in the southern three quarters of Princess Royal Island, mainland inlets of Altanhash, Khutze, Green, Mussel and Kynoc; Aristazabal, Roderick, Pooley and Dowager Islands, as well as the surrounding waters and outlying islands out to the middle of Hecate Straight.  We share some of these lands and waters with our aboriginal neighbours.  This is the area known by some people as “Spirit Bear Park” or “Great Bear Rainforest”.  To us it is home.  We call it “Neeso Wakwis” – our lands.  This area is defined on the attached map.

 

The Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation holds aboriginal rights and title to all the land and resources in these territories and these rights are protected under the Canadian Constitution.  No other group in Canada or elsewhere have this form of land and resource ownership and this right will be respected.

 

Recently, we have been forming working relationships with governments, environmental groups, companies and others to assist us in building our community and strengthening our people.  This is being done by creating jobs and economic development opportunities while respecting our government, culture and environment.  Some organizations do not respect our government, or our rights and title, nor our traditions and have mounted world wide campaigns without consultation with, and consent of, the Kitasoo / Xaixais people who are the original owners of these lands and resources.  We are always open to visitors and new ideas but we insist that respect will be shown for our people, our government, our environment and our resources.

THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL AND HEREDITARY CHIEFS OF THE KITASOO / XAIXAIS FIRST NATION RESOLVE THAT:

 

  1. The Kitasoo / Xaixais First Nation holds aboriginal rights and title to their traditional territories defined on the attached Map.
  2. The Kitasoo / Xaixais First Nation has managed these lands, waters, resources and eco-systems in a sustainable way for thousands of years and will continue to manage these lands.
  3. The Kitasoo / Xaixais First Nation has adopted a land use plan that is shown on the attached Map that identifies:
    1. Nakami Weld Protected Areas:
      Lands and resources that will be protected from logging, mining and other resources extraction and will be used by our people for food, traditional uses, trapping and tourism.
    2. Integrated Use Areas:
      Lands and resources that will be utilized in a sustainable way so as to create jobs and economic devlopment opportunites for our people and revenue for our government while conserving our wildlife and fisheries.
  4. Those entering Kitasoo / Xaixais First Nation territories with the intent of exploiting our resources will adopt our land use plan and show respect for our people, our government, our environment and our resources.  They will meet with our Chiefs, Councils and communities to gain our permission before any action is taken.
  5. Those using our territories through media campaigns, or otherwise, with the intent of protecting and conserving our environment or to exploit our resources for tourism or other purposes will show a similar respect as outlined in 4. above and adopt our land use plan.

    6.
  6. No one except the rightful Kitasoo / Xaixais owners will use our crests, totems, dances, songs, photographs or other symbols of our culture.

 

  1. Anyone planning to use our land based or aquatic resources for harvest, sale or any financial gain will, prior to any activities, adopt our Environmental Protocol and negotiate a management agreement with the Kitasoo / Xaixais government.

 

  1. Any economic development or tourism activity that is planned for our land or marine areas will be fully discussed with us and plans and agreements developed that ensure that our people are hired and trained and that economic development will benefit our community.

 

  1. The Kitasoo / Xaixais First Nation will discuss with Canada, British Columbia and other interest groups the most effective way to establish our Nakami Weld Protected Area that will implement our plan.

 

 

SIGNED BY HEREDITARY CHIEFS: