Latest news with #CounciloftheHaidaNation
CBC
01-05-2025
- CBC
First Nations community banishes members, demolishes homes after targeted hit and run death
Indigenous groups across B.C. rally and shun suspect's family as they leave Haida Gwaii Family members of a man charged with second-degree murder in what police say was a targeted hit and run death on Haida Gwaii are being shunned in First Nations communities throughout B.C. Though police and the Council of the Haida Nation have encouraged the protests to cease, those taking part say they want to send a message about violence in their communities. The victim in the case is 32-year-old Luke Pearson, born and raised in Skidegate, a Haida Gwaii village of about 700 people. RCMP say he was hit and killed on April 22 on Front Street, in what appeared to be a targeted attack with a vehicle. In a statement posted by Pearson's family, he is described as a "proud uncle, loyal friend, a devoted and caring son, brother, and cousin, and loving partner," a marine mechanic and avid outdoorsman born and raised in Skidegate. "He proudly and humbly lived a peaceful and honest life," the post says. "His life was stolen by evil people in a senseless act with no reason, and our hearts are forever broken." Haida Gwaii man charged in suspected hit-and-run homicide Police say fatal hit and run on Haida Gwaii was targeted Two days after the death, RCMP said they had arrested 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young, who was charged with second-degree murder. Young's next court appearance is May 28. Now, individuals associated with Young, some of whom have been identified as his family members, have met with protesters along the highway as much as 800 kilometres away after leaving Skidegate and heading east to Prince George and beyond. In Facebook videos, individuals can be seen lined up in multiple communities along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George with signs reading "#Justice4Luke." Other videos show individuals following the vehicles, sometimes for hours at a time, as they drive along the highway. A widely shared social media post encourages businesses not to provide them with services along the way. And at least two homes have also been demolished in Skidegate, which were apparently occupied by Young and his family, with a video showing members of the community lining up to witness the destruction, praying and taking part by throwing rocks through windows. Skidegate Band Council has declined to comment until after Pearson's funeral, but B.C. Assembly of First Nations Chief Terry Teegee says the decision to destroy the homes and ask the family to leave was made by leadership in an attempt to deal with ongoing issues in the community associated with drug dealing. He said the incident has hit a nerve because of the number of small Indigenous communities struggling with drug deaths and few resources. "I think it's indicative of the frustration that many administrations, chiefs and councils, governing bodies have with the situation with toxic drugs and what it's doing to our First Nations communities," he said. Provincial numbers show First Nations are more than six times more likely to die from a toxic drug overdose than other people in the province, and several have declared a state of emergency, calling for help from other levels of government. "This is a crisis," he said. 'People had enough' Among those to take part in the demonstrations were Caroline Hall of the Witset First Nation and Smogelgem (Warner Naziel), a hereditary chief of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, who spoke to CBC News from their home in Witset, about 300 kilometres northwest of Prince George. They said they became aware of the incident through friends and family on Haida Gwaii and were told Pearson's death was a result of drug dealers in the community and that the individuals on the road had been banished as a result. "They [drug dealers] harmed a lot of people over the years, so that people had enough," Smogelgem said. "And all the communities, up and down the highway, can relate to that. We know how it feels to bury our young people. And it's happening far too often, and this movement just really caught the hearts of so many of our communities because we don't want to be burying our people anymore." He said the demonstrations and decision to shun those associated with Young is part of a practice that dates back to pre-colonial times, when members who broke rules would be exiled and could not be helped by neighbouring communities. "They're not allowed to give them food, not allowed to take care of them or house them. They're expected to pass through the territory and continue on," he said. "We're upholding our old laws." He said it felt necessary to return to these customs because the current system of laws and government has failed to stop the crisis. "The channels that we are expecting to do something about this aren't," he said. "The system is not interested in taking care of us, so we have to take care of ourselves." Ellis Ross, MP-elect for the region that includes Haida Gwaii and former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation, posted to Facebook that he believes a sea-change could be underway as a result of the demonstrations. "We might be on the edge of something historic because it is First Nations and Haida people who have started this, saying enough is enough," he said in a video. RCMP, Haida Nation ask for patience Ross, however, also said police should be allowed to continue their investigation and RCMP have asked for the protests and targeting of the individuals to stop, saying some of the behaviour is "bordering on criminal harassment." "To be clear, there is one person who is alleged to have committed a crime, and their family should not be persecuted for those allegations," said Sgt. Kris Clark with B.C. RCMP. "There's a process in place that needs to move forward, and that court process will continue." WATCH | 'I have never seen it before in my lifetime,' Ross says of Skidegate banishment: Media Video | 'I have never seen it before in my lifetime' MP-elect says of family banished after targeted death Caption: MP-elect Ellis Ross, former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation, says he believes there could be a fundamental shift in how First Nations communities deal with crime after a family was banished from Haida Gwaii following what police say was a targeted hit-and-run death. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. The Council of the Haida Nation has also put out a statement thanking neighbouring communities for their support and reminding people to "walk softly while the emotions are still raw." "Right now, what we need is to focus on healing and love," the statement reads. "Get off social media. Go outside and enjoy nature and its healing power. Jump in the ocean. Wash off the bad energy." The Nation says it is supportive of the RCMP's efforts to investigate Pearson's death.
CBC
25-04-2025
- CBC
Police on Haida Gwaii arrest man in suspected hit-and-run homicide
Police on Haida Gwaii have made an arrest in what police believe was a targeted hit-and-run on the afternoon of April 22. The victim, Luke Pearson, was struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate and died later of his injuries. A 32-year-old Skidegate man has been arrested, according to Daajing Giids RCMP. Pearson, who was Haida, was identified as kind, generous and caring in a statement released by the Council of the Haida Nation. The statement urges residents to offer support to Pearson's family and to share information with police. The Skidegate Band Council imposed a curfew on all Skidegate Indian Reserves from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the day Pearson was killed, citing an "emergency situation." In the time between the crash and the arrest, community members took to social media, questioning the RCMP's handling of the case. In a statement, Daajing Giids RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Manseau says at no time did police feel there was a greater risk to the community.
Global News
25-04-2025
- Global News
Man arrested after pedestrian struck and killed in ‘targeted attack' on Haida Gwaii
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man in the alleged 'targeted' killing of a Haida Gwaii man in a vehicle collision. Daajing Giids RCMP said the victim, a pedestrian, was struck shortly after 1 p.m. on April 22 in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate, and later died of his injuries. 'From the outset of this collision this was investigated as a targeted attack, and at no time did the Daajing Giids RCMP feel there was a risk to the greater community or its members,' Daajing Giids RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Manseau said in a media release. The Council of the Haida Nation identified the victim as Luke Pearson. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'At this time, please focus on supporting the family and one another while remembering all of the goodness of Luke,' the council said in a community update. Story continues below advertisement 'To all who knew Luke, he was a kind, generous, caring and innocent Haida man.' 0:41 Strange photos of tidelines on beach in Skidegate is talk of town The council added it was in 'full support' of the RCMP investigation and receiving regular updates. The RCMP also pushed back against 'social media posts questioning the investigation's timeline.' Manseau said officers have been working 'round the clock' on the case to collect evidence and speak with witnesses. 'While an arrest is certainly a milestone in any investigation, charge approval is always the ultimate goal,' he said. 'It's important that we take the time we need to ensure a successful prosecution.' Anyone with information or relevant video footage is asked to contact Daajing Giids RCMP at 250-559-4421.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Historic agreement signed recognizing Indigenous title over Haida Gwaii
It was an emotional day in Haida Gwaii Monday, as Haida and federal leaders signed an agreement recognizing Indigenous title over the archipelago. Enshrining the Haida nation's right to control all of the islands' lands, the beds of freshwater bodies and foreshores to the low tide mark. The Council of the Haida Nation says it was the culmination of 100 years of political mobilization.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Haida celebrate title agreement, Trudeau emotional at ceremony
SKIDEGATE, B.C. — With tears streaming down his face, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a gathering of Haida Nation leaders and community members that he couldn't think of a better place to make one of his final trips as Canada's leader. Federal and Haida leaders signed a historic agreement Monday recognizing Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia's northern coast. "Haida Gwaii belongs to you, the Haida people," Trudeau said, as the crowd cheered, clapped and rose to its feet. "This is only the beginning of a new chapter," he said, between the Haida Nation and the Canadian government. Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, president of the Council of the Haida Nation, told the official ceremony that the agreement was the culmination of "well over 100 years of political mobilization by the Haida Nation." He said it represents a move from an era of denial, occupation and resistance to one of peaceful coexistence and recognition that "this is Haida land." The Big Tide Haida Title Lands Agreement affirms that the Haida have Aboriginal title over all of the islands' lands, beds of freshwater bodies, and foreshores to the low-tide mark. It will transition the Crown-title land to the Haida people, granting them an inherent legal right to the land. The transfer of the underlying title would affect how courts interpret issues involving disputes. The community hall in Skidegate was packed full of Haida community members on Monday, including many children, youth and elders. Haida chiefs sitting with Trudeau at a head table wore elaborate regalia, while others at the ceremony wore woven cedar hats or vests emblazoned with bright red Haida designs. Trudeau told the ceremony that Haida Gwaii is a special place for him, having first visited with his father and brothers in 1976. "For me, everything has come full circle," he said. "Haida Gwaii was one of my first trips as Liberal leader. I can't think of any place more appropriate for one of my very last," Trudeau said, with emotion in his voice and tears in his eyes. He said the agreement was a "monumental step" in the fulfilment of his promise upon becoming prime minister to "stay true to the principles of truth and reconciliation" and restore Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples. The agreement enshrines the right of the Haida to control their own destiny and opens a new chapter in which the nation and the Canadian government are in partnership as true equals, Trudeau said. "A new chapter (that) confirms an incontrovertible and long-known truth: Haida Gwaii belongs to you," he said to thunderous applause. The landmark agreement "recognizes that the Haida people have lived here since time immemorial," Trudeau said. "That the Haida people have an inalienable right to use, manage and enjoy the lands of Haida Gwaii as they see fit. That self-determination is the only path toward true reconciliation." After the signing ceremony and a community dinner, Alsop presented Trudeau with a copper pendant, a copper shield and a small carving in the shape of Haida Gwaii. He said two Haida leaders had previously broken a piece of copper on the steps of Parliament in Ottawa, symbolizing what they felt was disrespect and a break in the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples. "I thought this would be important to recognize how far we've come from that time, 2014, 2015, to where we are today," Alsop said. Trudeau thanked Alsop and said wearing the copper pendant would help him "be a little more me than I've been able to be as prime minister." The prime minister said his government was only able to move forward on reconciliation "because Canadians decided it was time." Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree told Monday's ceremony that it was a moment where history was being made. In an earlier interview, he said the agreement kicks off a five-year transition period and will require legislation to iron out all the details about its application in practice. It is the first time the federal government has recognized Aboriginal title through negotiations, Anandasangaree said. About 15 per cent of Haida Gwaii is owned, managed or used by the federal government, including a national park and Haida heritage site. A further two per cent are owned by other parties. The agreement follows similar recognition by the B.C. government last year, and it resolves a four-decade-long fight that began with a logging blockade and became an intensely fought legal battle. It comes more than two decades after the Council of the Haida Nation launched a legal challenge against Canada and the province, seeking a declaration of Aboriginal title. The federal ministry said the three parties have been negotiating since 2021 to "incrementally negotiate" matters that would otherwise have to be litigated. It said Canada provided $59 million in funding to the Haida in an "advance capital transfer" to boost the nation's "governance capacity building." Alsop has called the new law in B.C. a "step toward peaceful coexistence" with the province. In April he said that the nation planned on taking control of Haida Gwaii's economy according to its values and traditions, taking a sustainable rather than exploitive approach to the land and the sea. The provincial Opposition B.C. Conservative Party has criticized the agreement, saying it puts private landowners "at the mercy of Haida (and) future Haida Indigenous law." But the First Nations Leadership Council in B.C. has said the agreement does not affect private property rights. Anandasangaree dismissed the concerns about impacts on landowners as a "lot of noise." "One of the key elements of this agreement is that private title will not be impacted in any way," he said. "Your ability to get a mortgage, or ability to get the property encumbered for construction for putting on a lien — all of those will continue." The federal Haida Nation Recognition Act was passed last year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2025. — With files from Kyle Duggan in Ottawa Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
