Gud G̱̱a Is. Kuuniisii G̱an Yahguudang. Kung̱asda Tll Llgihl

Gud G̱̱a Is. Kuuniisii G̱an Yahguudang. KunG̱asda Tll llgihl. Being together to talk. Honouring our past. Shaping our future.

Skidegate Comprehensive Community Plan 2012-2017 Front cover photo by Mary Helmer (Ḵay Llnagaay) Back cover photo by Jags Brown (Sunrise behind Skyass Island) This photo: Mary Helmer (“Garner Master Carver of the Unity Pole with an eagle flying above his head.”) Table of Contents

Preamble 1 Directions 18 Skidegate Declaration 1 Constitution of the Haida Nation 3 Plan Framework Guiding Laws 4 People are Like Trees 5 (Our Plan is Like a Tree) 19

Executive Summary 6 Overview of Directions, Introduction 7 Pathways, and Actions 21

Community Profile 9 Directions “One-Pagers” 23

Situational Assessment 11 Uu hla isda Implementation 39 Gud G̱a Is Planning Team 13 G̱a Ḵyahts’ii ad llgaay Approach & Methodology 14 gwii Ḵyang.gaay ‘láa Monitoring & Evaluation 41 Ising chiina istl’lx̱a Planning (Salmon) Cycle 15 Celebration 43

Participation & Engagement Strategy 16 Conclusion & Next Steps 44

Visions 17 The Skidegate Declaration

Photo: Jags Brown

1 The Community of We stand by and support the Good governance ensures our Skidegate created Comprehensive Community Plan community will thrive, providing (CCP) and the Land Use Plan (LUP). sufficient shelter, preserving this plan for the safety & security, while aligning people of Skidegate. Our unique way of seeing the with community needs for world is shaped by the traditional education and employment for lands and waters that we have future economic development & We the people of occupied since time immemorial. sustainability. Skidegate make this declaration today Traditional Haida ways have taught We place trust in our community as a sign for all us to respect our Island’s’ natural leaders who govern openly, generations to come. beauty, offering us sustenance and helping us to build vibrant local self-sufficiency. economies, and strengthen pride in Skidegate. Therefore, we hereby The Haida way of life relies on declare that: sustaining our natural environment. We will Survive and continue to Through the widespread practice govern our lands, water and the of our culture and language, we resources they provide for the are working towards greater benefit of all our people. community resilience and improving our health and wellness. By Signing the declaration today we the community of Skidegate Ongoing protection and respect of confirm that we support the CCP our lands and waters have been a and the LUP as living documents. priority since the beginning of time.

2 Constitution of the Haida Nation

Haida Proclamation HlG̱aagilda X̱aayda kil Naay (SHIP) Translation: “The Haida Nation is the rightful heir to Iid kuuniisii asii id gii isda gan. Tllgaay ad Haida Gwaii. Our culture is born of respect; siigaay an t’alang aa ana ad yahguudang. and intimacy with the land and sea and the G̱ x̱ Huu tllguu iidan hlk’in a gaa.ngang air around us. Like the forests, the roots of G̱ x̱ aayda hllng.aay gud giijaagids, gaay our people are intertwined such that the x̱ aaganuu gam gina daa ang.nga id gwii greatest troubles cannot overcome us. We G̱ G̱ is hllnga ang ga. aayda a waay.yaay owe our existence to Haida Gwaii. The G̱ X̱ G̱ G̱ aaganuu iid aynanga ga. Asii gwaay. living generation accepts the responsibility G̱ x̱ yaay guu, iid kuuniisii aynang.nga, ad to insure that our heritage is passed on to x̱ siing.gwaa’ad gan. Sah ‘Laana Tllgaay aa following generations. On these islands our G̱ id gii yaagang.ngaay aaw aan t’ang ancestors lived and died and here too, we ḵ G̱ naa ang s waan.nang as ga. Iid sihl a ga will make our homes until called away to x̱ G̱ G̱ G̱ aynangas gii t’alang t’aas.slas, asii yang. join them in the great beyond.” x̱ ḵ gaay llgaay ‘waagii kilxii gang ga.

The Guiding Laws: Yahguudang Taas siilaay sihlgyang siigaay G̱ii isda (Respect) All acts must be done with respect Putting back into the ocean i.e. food remains Ad kyaanang tlaagang (To ask first) All acts must be done with consent Chiix̱was gen gaguu ga taa daanaay guu ga taa iijii Tllyahda When the tide is out there is food on the table / (Make it right) If an act is not done with respect or the table is set consent, or is witnessed, you must make it right Gina ‘waadx̱an gud ad kwaagid Gam nang gii tl’a chiix̱waay k’yawG̱a G̱id Everything depends on everything, all things are G̱ang connected The tide waits for no one Ginax̱an gudgiigid Chiix̱waay ad k’aadsgiidaay Sharing of wealth gam nang k’yawG̱a G̱id G̱ang Time and tide wait for no one Gina gii sdaahlas sG̱un isda Only take what you need Ga taa idG̱an xiila The food is our medicine

4 There are some words that echo through time, and people who will continue to influence us long into the future. This poem has become the foundation of Gud G̱a Is and truly resonates what community means to the Village of Skidegate.

Kaayd gaa.ngang X̱aaydaG̱a G̱iida Chief Skidegate, Lewis Collinson People are like trees March 1966

Ḵayd gaa.ngang x̱aaydaga giida, People are like trees, and groups of people are like forests. Xaaydaga sk’uula hlk’uula hlk’inxa gaa.ngang giida, While the forests are composed of many different kinds Ḵayd gudiilaa gid, hlk’inx̱a gaa.ngang giida of trees, these trees intertwine their roots so strongly that it ḵaydaay hllngaay gud gii hlḵ’aanga, is impossible for the strongest winds which blow on our gaaganuu taajuu tlaats’iiga id tl’aa gwaay.yaay guu gam islands to uproot the forest Ḵayd gud taawgan giix̱ands gyinuu gud ad ging tlaats’iiga For each tree strengthens its neighbour, and their roots hllngaay gud gii hlḵ’aanga, are inextricably intertwined. Gaa.ngang uu gwaay x̱aaydagaay giidang In the same way the people of our islands, composed of tllgaay k’aaysguuxan gaaduu xaaydaga gudiila gid members of nations and races from all over the world gam gina sing.giita’ii tl’l gangang gas ga are beginning to intertwine their roots so strongly that no hllngaay gud gii hlk’aanga gihl, gaay gaagan/ah troubles will affect them Ḵayd guusdagang gyaagang taajuu tlaats’iiga tlaagang Just as one tree standing alone would soon be destroyed ḵaydaay tll daagang.gad hllnga ga gam nang sqwansing ad by the first strong wind which came along so is it gud ad ḵiigawaay ad Llnagaay ‘waadlux̱an tllgaay impossible or any person, any family, or any community to gyaagang hllnga gang ga. stand alone against the troubles of this world

Photo: Mary Helmer Executive Summary

Over the past four years, the Haida Village Our community voices are central in this This document contains the visions of Skidegate has come together to talk process. Our community has been the for the CCP and LUP, traditional laws, and share our hopes for the future, to driving force for this process, and provided community profile, core directions and ultimately strengthen our community’s insight and guidance at each step of the strategies, priority actions, participation relationships with each other, to our way. We have taken a holistic approach to and engagement strategy, monitoring and Giinaa‘ah (culture) and Tlga (land). Our Gud G̱a Is, one that considers and honours evaluation strategy, implementation plan Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP), how deeply connected we are to each and next steps. entitled Gud G̱a Is: Being Together to Talk, other, to the land and water that surround is one of the outcomes from this process. us, and to our ancestors. We have learned so much from each other, Part of this process focused on our land This Gud G̱a Is document is intended to and about our community. We have joined use, this section is called HlG̱aagilda summarize and show the extensive input our voices together as one and we have KilG̱uhlga (Skidegate Plan). and work the Skidegate community has endeavoured to honour our teachings as contributed to the five-stage process, we look forward to the future. Gud G̱a We are a strong community, surrounded and outlines our plan for the future of our Is is a living document, and will continue by beautiful and bountiful land and community. Through a variety of methods to change shape to ensure its continuing waters on Haida Gwaii; strong in our and tools, which are explained further on, relevance in our community. traditional laws, foods, protocol, and our process has been an interactive one, our connections to each other. Nothing where we continue to learn and grow affects just one person; it affects all of together at each stage of the process. A us. We also face challenges and we must big section of this plan is the Land Use We bring the wisdom come together to find ways to overcome Plan (LUP), entitled HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga. of our past into the these obstacles. Gud G̱a Is, in itself, is a This section delves deeper into the land process, a way of meeting the challenges use planning process, which will guide present and future. that our community faces in the areas of decisions relating to the use of land in Our Ancestors are HlG̱ang.gulx̱a dii (employment) /income, Skidegate. environmental degradation/protection, always here with cultural connection, and ultimately us, giving us power, becoming a stronger community. making us stronger. (HHH Vision 2011)

6 Introduction HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga: a part of Gud G̱a Is

Gud G̱a Is: Being Together to Talk The Gud G̱a Is process began in 2012, Under the leadership of Dana Moraes as and support to the Gud G̱a Is process. Jeff coming out of the need for more the CCP Coordinator, Dana has worked Cook, UBC instructor, supported the UBC community engagement and participation in partnership with Janine Willams as students and CCP process as needed. that had been missing in the previous CCP Assistant Coordinator, and later on community plans. Community members Loni LeBlanc and Cheryl Sosick. A total The purpose of the Gud G̱a Is is to give expressed that past plans did not of four student teams from the School Skidegate the ability to determine for possess a true Skidegate voice, they of Community and Regional Planning themselves what social, financial, and lacked sufficient community consultation, (SCARP) at UBC have partnered with political priorities are for the community. resulting in marginal impacts and lacked the Skidegate CCP team as well. Jessica A Comprehensive Community Plan is public support. Over 4 years the Skidegate Williams and Krystie Babalos played a role an opportunity for Skidegate to come Community participated in Open Houses, in Phase 1, Daniel Iwama and Melanie together and voice their vision for the Elder’s Luncheons, Youth Workshops, and Harding, Phase 2, Emma Fineblit and suture. The CCP can now be used as a Community Meetings to develop our plan. Malcolm MacLean, Phase 3, and finally decision making tool for Nang Ḵaadlljuus The community at large, local businesses, Megan Kingwill and Savannah Zachary (leadership) to ensure that decisions are local societies and organizations, program played a role in Phase 4 producing the representative of the community’s values managers, administrators and staff worked final CCP summary document. Barbara and hopes for the future. together to share their knowledge and (Babs) Stevens, Chief Administrative address ways to shape our future. Officer at SBC has also provided guidance

7 HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga: Skidegate Plan HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga process began in engagement was done with a variety of Haida livelihoods have historically 2014 for Skidegate’s land use planning. community groups. Preliminary maps of been intricately connected to the land The goal of the process to create a Land the community were also created during and waters of Haida Gwaii, which are Use Plan (LUP) is to guide all decisions this phase. Students Megan Kingwill and abundant with food, medicines and relating to the use and management of Savannah Zachary played a role in Phase resources that have sustained us since land in Skidegate. This planning process is 2 of producing the final LUP summary time immemorial. In more recent years, part of the Gud G̱a Is plan. document. there are very real challenges and threats to the environment of Haida Gwaii and to The LUP team consisted of Dana Moraes, The land use plan aims to be a framework the ways of life that depend on the land Loni LeBlanc, Cheryl Sosick, UBC SCARP by which the Skidegate community is able and waters. To continue to Tllgaay ad students Emma Fineblit and Malcolm to determine the future use of our land tang.G̱wan Ḵyang.gaay 'láa (protect the MacLean, along with the support of Bab and waters, identify future development land and waters) we must also carefully Stevens and Jeff Cook during Phase 1. opportunities, and how to sustain the select the numerous opportunities for During this phase, extensive community land-based livelihoods that have always community and economic development. been a part of life on Haida Gwaii.

8 Community Profile

The Haida Village of Skidegate is located We the Haida have lived on Haida Gwaii The Skidegate Community is governed by on Haida Gwaii, off the northwest coast for millennia, and have been living with at least five levels of government, including of British Columbia. Haida Gwaii is and managing the land and water of the traditional governing systems. Our culture translated as the land of the Haida and island for just as long. The Haida have remains strong, and we are defined by is an archipelago made up of over 200 lived here since time began; our culture our connection to the land and waters. islands, stretching over approximately 300 marked on every tree, every rock — this We value our relationships to each other: km, located off of the Northwest Coast of land, this ocean a part of who we are. Our we are a matriarchal society, governed British Columbia. Skidegate is located at stories, our language, our history entwine by our Hereditary Chief and Matriarchal the Southeast corner of Graham Island, with X̱uuya (raven), Taan (bear), G̱uud clan system. We belong to two clans: the one of two main islands with year-round (eagle), and Chiina (salmon). We have G̱uud (Eagles) and the X̱uuya (Ravens), inhabitants. The community is accessible been forever changed by first contact with and Hereditary Chiefs and Matriarchs from by ferry from Prince Rupert or Sandspit, Europeans and the following assault on several traditional villages continue to hold where the airport is located, with daily our way of life. After European contact, Nang Ḵaadlljuus (leadership) over their direct flights to and from Vancouver, and there was a steep decline in population, clans, families and traditional territories. by road from the other major communities largely due to Smallpox in the 1800s, The Skidegate Band Council (SBC) is on Haida Gwaii- including Old Massett reducing our population to fewer than 700 elected by the community every two years, (the other major reserve) Masset, and Port people in the early 1900s. The people of and is responsible primarily for matters on Clements in the North, Sandspit, and the Rose Spit and Cape Ball villages on the reserve. X̱aaydgaG̱a ' Waadlux̱an Naay/ Village of Queen Charlotte, less than 10 east coast were the first to relocate to The Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) is km to the West. The Skidegate Band has Skidegate in 1850. In 1889, the villagers a newer political entity, formed to unite approximately 690 members living on from Cumshewa arrived. By 1893, the and represent all Haida people. The CHN reserve and approximately 955 members families from all the southern villages consists of a House of Assembly, Hereditary living off reserve. Skidegate’s total moved to live in Skidegate. By the end Chiefs Council, and the Secretariat of the population is approximately 900. While of the 19th century, Skidegate and Old Haida Nation. Skidegate village is the main population Massett were the main centres of Haida and land base for the Skidegate Band, culture and life. Today there are about SBC is responsible for the following the band has 11 reserve sites total. Haida 1600 Haida living on Haida Gwaii, mostly programs: Education, Housing, Health Gwaii has been our home since the in Skidegate and Old Massett, with about (X̱aaynang.nga Naay), Social Development, beginning of time and our relationship to 2,250 living off-island. Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation, HlG̱aagilda the land of Haida Gwaii is not defined by X̱aayda Kil Naay /Skidegate Haida INAC’s reserve system. Immersion Program (SHIP), Comprehensive

9 Photo: Mary Helmer

Community Plan, Indian Registry & for generations to come. We are making 13 plans have been created since 1988, Status Cards. SBC supports community progress with the Haida Language ranging from Physical Development plans, organizations such as Friends Together Revitalization Plan, a quick start project to the Gwaii Haanas Agreement, to a Singing (Hltaaxuulang Gud ad K’aajuu, that came as a result of the CCP. We Comprehensive Community Development HlG̱aagilda Children’s Haida Dance Group, are teaching and learning our language Plan. These plans have ranged in levels of and the Skidegate Saints Basketball Teams. as best we can. Children are learning community engagement and participation. X̱aayda kil at the Skidegate Nursery Our language is in critical danger of being School, Language Nest, Sḵ’aadG̱aa Naay We will continue to honour our stories lost. Less than 1% of our population are Elementary School and at Skidegate 3 and traditions, and through this, we are fluent speakers and the majority of them Year Old the Preschool. Elders both teach empowered to heal from past injustices are between the ages of 75 and 95. 35 and learn at HlG̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil Naay and move forward together. This will adults are currently learning to speak (SHIP). ultimately lead to better lives for our Haida (X̱aayda kil), and all over the age of children and their children. 25. The Skidegate Band Council supports Our people have been doing community HlG̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil Naay/Skidegate planning since time immemorial and our Haida Immersion Program (S.H.I.P.) planning history is rich. Since first contact, to revive and archive our language to our planning practices have transitioned to ensure that we can continue to speak it a more western understanding of planning.

10 Situational Assessment

Tlga (Our Land) traditional land and water use, and lack Skidegate has 11 reserves, ranging in of government support for protecting our size from 11.20 hectares, to 505.70 resources. Improving access to housing hectares, with a total reserve land of 841.8 and support for home renovations was hectares. There are currently 392 houses identified as another important need in in Skidegate, and one third of those need Skidegate. These issues were expanded renovations. The village has fairly extensive upon during the development of the LUP. community infrastructure, including one Community members brought up the need elementary school, one recreation centre, for our land to support the development two community halls, one grocery store of more businesses and HlG̱ang.gulx̱a dii (Gwaii Co-op), one nursery school, five (employment) to strengthen our economy, playgrounds, two gift shops, one Inn, and the importance of using our resources one cafe, one restaurant, one gas station, in a sustainable and respectful way. a daycare attached to an apartment Concerns were voiced about threats from complex and numerous other buildings. outside industry and non-Haida harvesters, Skidegate also boasts a state-of-the-art with one solution being the development Water Treatment and Sewage Facility that and enforcement of stronger land use currently operates under capacity. policies. Throughout the CCP process, Skidegate Many of our concerns about our land and community members identified again and water relate to governance: we need to again that land and water is an integral continue to assert Haida control over our piece of our lives. Community members traditional territory, uphold our rights to expressed concern about insufficient practicing traditional land and resource environmental protection, pollution and use, and manage how outsiders are degradation, ability to exercise Photo: Malcolm MacLean affecting our environment.

11 Daall ad hlG̱ang.gulx̱a gud ad and transportation accounts for 25 tlaaG̱alang (Our Economy) people. Community members expressed concern about the lack of HlG̱ang.gulx̱a dii Skidegate has a resource-based economy, (employment) on Haida Gwaii. Community dependent on logging, commercial members also mentioned the importance fishing (salmon, herring, halibut, black of linking our culture with our community cod and crab), tourism, government economic development. Needs identified positions and the service industry. included increasing access to education Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation (GNC) is and more job opportunities. the economic development arm of the Band, and it is focused on bringing self- sufficiency to Skidegate. GNC supports Xaayda Laas (Haida People) community enterprises and develops The impacts of smallpox, residential land for economic activities. HAICO is the schools, and the relocation to the reserve Haida Nation’s economic development system have had significant negative corporation, and it supports economic impacts on our community. Our language development on Haida Gwaii for is in critical danger of being lost. Skidegate and Old Massett. Its current Colonization and residential schools have ventures include forestry, aquaculture, impacted our ability to practice our culture tourism, and energy. There are currently no and traditions, though we still remain franchises on Haida Gwaii. All businesses strong as Haida people. Community are locally owned. members identified the need to continue speaking our language, accessing our According to the 2011 census, the traditional foods, teaching our culture, and employment rate is 41.4% in Skidegate. ultimately, building stronger connections The participation rate in the labour force with each other in order to face the future together. Community members identified Photo: Dana Moraes is 45%. 115 people are employed in other services, while 45 are employed that we are strong and we are able to in health and education. Wholesale and overcome these challenges, but that we retail account for 35 people, agriculture/ need to be intentional about how we heal resource based accounts for 30 people, together.

12 Gud G̱a Is

University of British Columbia - Planning Team School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP): Skidegate Team: A learning agreement was made for a prosperous collaboration with the University The CCP Team is led by Dana Moraes, CCP of British Columbia’s School of Community Coordinator. Dana has been involved in the CCP and Regional Planning (SCARP) which resulted process since January 2012 and brings extensive in two graduate students and their professor experience in community development and coming to Haida Gwaii periodically for 9 grant writing, and has energized this process months offering their skills and expertise to with her boundless energy and enthusiasm. Gud G̱a Is. Over four years we have had Jessa Dana has worked closely with Skidegate Band’s Williams and Krystie Babalos (2012-2013), Chief Administrative Officer, Barbara Stevens Daniel Iwama and Melanie Harding (2013- who has provided guidance and insight into this 2014), Malcolm MacLean and Emma Fineblit process. Janine Williams worked as Assistant (2014-2015), and Savannah Zachary and CCP Coordinator in 2013, Loni LeBlanc, 2014, Megan Kingwill (2015-2016). Jeff Cook, UBC and Cheryl Sosick from 2014-2016. Ryan Indigenous Community Planning Instructor Barnes, youth intern, supported data collection. provided guidance for all of the students and to our planning process.. The students played Gud G̱a Is Planning Advisory an enormous role in the facilitation and creation Committee (PAC): of our plan. To involve the many hands and voices of Skidegate, a Community Advisory Committee CCP Mentorship (and INAC): was created to support the planning and INAC’S Mentorship Initiative pairs community implementation of a CCP. The Committee was planners with those just starting out to created to provide opportunities for sharing facilitate First Nation to First Nation learning. ideas, learning more about the CCP, and to Our Mentors were Jessie Hemphill from the guide the planning process. The roles of the Gwa ‘sala-‘Nakwaxda Nations, Jessie was committee were to advise on CCP process instrumental in the start-up of the CCP and strategies, events and activities and to share teaching facilitation skills, and Sandra Harris knowledge and respect for Haida culture, beliefs, from the Gitksan Nation who supported Dana Moraes, CCP Coordinator values and language. housing policy development.

13 Approach & Methodology Gud G̱a Is has grown from deep Emphasis on Participation: Empowerment Focused: community consultation and engagement. At its roots, the process is based on Following the traditional law of Ad Community members have the wisdom principles of local Nang Ḵaadlljuus Kyaanang Tlaagang (to ask first), the and experience to determine their own (leadership), public participation, action outcomes results of Gud G̱a Is are based future. With this in mind, the Planning based, and empowerment of the primarily on the input of community Team adopted an approach that Skidegate community. Throughout each members, gathered through extensive empowers our people to take control of of the four phases, asking the community community consultation engagement. the decisions that impact their lives today ‘what do they think?” has been the Twenty-three community meetings have and in the future. Community members measure of success. been hosted throughout the course of the are encouraged to share their creative planning process, each targeting public ideas and insight into our future. They are input related to the various stages of Gud empowered to honour our ancestors and PROCESS PRINCIPLES: G̱a Is as well as specific demographic our culture in the continuing creation of groups. The community will continue to be Gud G̱a Is. By using a variety of planning informed of opportunities to engage with tools, such as dotmoracy, surveys, and Driven by Local Nang the CCP as it moves into monitoring and Skidegate café, multiple people were Ḵaadlljuus (leadership): evaluation in Phase 5. reached and were able to share their A Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) voice. consisting of local community members Action Based: was formed as the guiding body of Capacity-Driven: the planning process. The roles of PAC In order to be achievable, Gud G̱a Is is include: providing advice on Gud G̱a Is focused on Uu hla isda (action). Through Each phase of the planning process is process strategies, events and activities phases 1-4, Skidegate was consulted meant to strengthen our member’s ability and acting as a resource for Haida extensively regarding actions that various to live productive and independent lives. knowledge, language, culture, beliefs community groups felt were most likely Actions focus on the skills development and Ḵuuyada (values) to inform the plan. to achieve the core Directions of the plan. of local people, such as trades, language The PAC consists of local Gud G̱a Is Locally sourced, culturally relevant actions teachers, and education. This ensures “champions” who will carry the plan into acknowledge that no one is more aware that as Skidegate’s economy strengthens the future, holding the SBC accountable of the paths to a healthy Skidegate than our own people will receive the greatest over the political cycles. community members themselves. Gud G̱a benefit from job production and business Is as well as specific demographic can be development. understood as a map to success, defined by the people of Skidegate.

14 2) SG̱ung.G̱a, Ḵíix̱a “Hatching, Discovery/ Ising chiina istl'lx̱a Community Engagement & Communication” Planning (Salmon) Cycle Ensure culturally responsive approach to engagement and communication. Develop participation plan, planning tools, and training strategy for workshops; launch CCP, develop questionnaires and media tools, host community meetings, workshops and interviews.

3) Tang.G̱wan siiwaay G̱ii dllgiigwang “Journey to the Ocean/ Vision, Xaaynang.nga Ḵuuyada (Values) and Principles" Identify community’s vision, guiding principles, values, and action based on issues and needs. Analyze community information and data. Document process and plan and report back to the community.

4) Tang.G̱wan G̱a dllgiigwang “Swimming the Ocean/ Uu hla isda (Action)” Develop implementation strategy that describes how to move Artist Credit: Robert Vogstad ideas into action, including prioritization of values based immediate, medium and long term actions, as well as phasing Like the salmon cycle that Haida have come to rely on, of actions. Budgeting and addresses capacity needs and Skidegate’s planning cycle grows and adapts through each cycle. partnerships to implement actions. The five phases of the Gud G̱a Is are: 5) G̱andlaay gwii sdiihl “Returning Home, 1) SG̱ung.G̱a G̱an G̱iihlgii “Spawning/ Getting Ready” Reflection, Celebration and Results” Form the Planning Team and community advisory committee Watch and look at our results, adjust our plan, and celebrate (PAC), introduce our planning process and prepare community- our successes. Share wisdom on challenges and begin our based approach to our planning process. new planning cycles.

15 Participation & Engagement Strategy

Engagement Vision: CCP Engagement Activities: Our planning process is community based, community Community Meetings: 23 SHIP Meetings: 6 driven, and community owned. The process is grounded Advisory Committee Meetings: 18 Adult Day Program Meetings: 2 in a Haida approach and honours the culture and voices Administration Meeting: 2 Skidegate Head Start Meeting: 3 of the community, incorporating Haida Ḵuuyada (values). Open Houses: 4 Youth Meetings: 3 The community is involved in each phase of the Gud G̱a Health Centre Meetings: 1 Staff and Council Meetings: 8 Is process and is empowered to participate meaningfully through community workshops and meetings.

5 Pillars of Community Participation Community Engage the Document A Living Remove Barriers Owned Community Process and Document All engagement activities were focused Gud G̱a Is reflects our From understanding Just as our community Voices on ways to encourage community and is owned our current situation continues to grow and The community Ḵuuyada more community by our community. Since to creating our vision change, so too will our (values) transparency, participation. Some of the beginning, in 2012, to brainstorming and plan. Gud G̱a Is is a therefore, knowledge these efforts included: the process has been prioritizing actions, living document that and data offered different ways of defined by a constant every step of the will change to reflect by members was connecting with conversation with process included the current needs and recorded, documented community members community members “report-backs” on dreams of our community and reported back in to advertise meetings, on how they want to be progress and various as we move forward. We an open and shared rides for elders, meals, involved, and how to opportunities for want Gud G̱a Is to be process. The wisdom of childcare, child friendly best to honour all voices community input on next used. So the continuous the community informs meeting, prizes, easy to in our plan. An open steps. Where and when monitoring and the Gud G̱a Is process, understand language, Advisory Committee was possible, our events and evaluation phase we now as well as the resulting short meetings, and established to support materials were steeped enter is critical; it is how Kil G̱uuhlG̱a (Directions), bringing the meetings to this and guide the in our language. the community ensures Uu hla isda (Actions) and them. process where needed. the priorities of the plan Pathways. are still relevant.

16 Gud G̱a Is (CCP)

“Our unique way of seeing the world Visions is shaped by the traditional lands and waters that we have occupied since time The visions reflect our immemorial. The Haida way of life relies hopes and dreams for the on sustaining our natural environment. planning process, and our Through the widespread practice of our community. Our planning culture and language, we are working vision is a snapshot of towards greater community resilience and the future. It describes a improving our health and wellness. We Skidegate wherein all the place trust in our community leaders who Gwii hlG̱ang.gulx̱a (goals) govern openly, helping us to build vibrant of Gud G̱a Is have been local economies, and strengthen pride in achieved. Skidegate.”

Through our community planning process, which HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga (LUP) encompassed community meetings, surveys, and “Traditional Haida ways have taught us other outreach activities, to respect our Island's’ natural beauty, a broad set of community offering us sustenance and self-sufficiency. Gwii hlG̱ang.gulx̱a (goals) Ongoing protection and respect of our were identified that align lands and waters have been a priority since with our vision statement. the beginning of time. Good governance These Gwii hlG̱ang.gulx̱a ensures our community will thrive, providing (goals) and priorities sufficient shelter, preserving safety & capture the future that our security, while aligning with community community desires and needs for education and employment they are identified as the for future economic development & directions and pathways for sustainability.” both the CCP and LUP.

Photo: Dana Moraes

17 DIRECTIONS – CONNECTING THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLAN & LAND USE PLAN

CCP HOW WE LIVE

Foster Protect That Which Increase Enhance Establish a Promote Empower Community Our Land & Makes us Community Good Vibrant, Local Health and Our Youth Pride and Waters Haida Resilience Governance Economy Wellness Equality

Sustain Food, Promote Protect That Which Nurture Strengthen Build a Enhance Medicines Sustainable Our Land & Makes us Community Community Vibrant, Local Good and Natural Housing and Waters Haida Connections Resilience Economy Governance Resources Infrastructure LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND

18 OUR PLAN IS LIKE A TREE

19 Indicators are like the fruits of the tree. Example: They represent the outcomes of the plan, and are used to monitor and evaluate the Number of people Indicators success of the plan - ultimately helping us participating in achieve our vision. Copper Bay fishery

Actions are the leaves of the plan. Example: Uu hla isda They represent specific activities, Document traditional projects, or programmes to achieve roles and teach them (Actions) Gud G̱a Is Directions. in school

Like a tree’s branches, there are Example: numerous planning Pathways. The Pathways are like stepping stones to Utilize valuable Pathways achieving the Gud G̱a Is Directions. knowledge of Elders

The Directions form the trunk of the plan. Example: Kil G̱uuhlG̱a They represent the biggest planning Protect Our (Directions) objectives, determining the pathways. Land & Waters

The planning vision is roots of the plan. It is a snapshot of the future - what Skidegate will look like when the Gud G̱a Is Vision Directions are achieved. The Directions, Pathways, and Actions should all lead back to the vision.

20 Gud G̱a Is (CCP)

• Teach • Local drop-in • Offer seasonal • Designate • Host monthly • Create job • Traditional food • Cultural skills local food programming foods to a Tsunami public meetings training gathering & (beading, gathering, to teach Elders & help gathering • Start community program for preserving blanket- catching and traditional them prepare space & events calendar trades programs making, preserving skills & crafts it building for • Check • Create • Med-Evac fishing) supplies • Fix Copper • Two cultural • Community scheduling for apprenticeship escort when • Life skills & Bay camps to voluntary • Provide grants in trades, family members attitude course emergency double booking • Plant operate clean-up of transport for meetings, arts, etc can’t go • Provide vegetable/ yearly with specific areas people who community • Bus service in • Program for more post- berry gardens survival skills need it events Skidegate and trad. medicine secondary ACTIONS (SAMPLE) to Charlotte gathering funding

• Reduce litter/ • Learn our • Improve public • Plan for • Increase SBC • Promote • Improve access • Build a pollution language • appearance emergency transparency Skidegate to traditional sense of • Utilize • Incorporate • Expand public comms; • Improve Village healing responsibility valuable language & facilities • Support for coordination economy • Improve self- among youth knowledge of culture into • Increase Elders; and of public • Increase reliance in • Improve Elders education support for • Efficient participation training healing recreation • Strengthen • Improve transp. • Strengthen • Increase • Support Elders infrastructure Elders during traditional access to art, • Offer more policy mobility • Decrease • Improve

PATHWAYS emergencies land use land & water public and • Prioritize enforcement • Support addiction rates accessibility cultural events food security business • Improve prevntv. of youth development health awareness programing

Protect That Which Foster Increase Enhance Establish Promote Empower Our Land & Makes Us Community Community Good a Vibrant, Health & Our Youth Waters Haida Pride & Resilience Governance Local Wellness Equality Economy DIRECTIONS

21 HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga (LUP)

• Purchase • Gather our • Install • Create a • Increase SBC • Expand the • Develop a • Review lot a multi- oral laws and sheltered tsunami map transparency industrial site management policies jurisdictional write them benches/rest • Create an • Improve • Upgrade the plan for • Honour vessel down areas along emergency coordination processing cultivation of Certificates of • Create • Restrict the waterfont preparedness of public plant berries Possession navigation harvesting • Put in a plan participation • Open a local • Re-establish • Enforce policies for training program of traditional running track • Move tsunami • Strengthen market for a community sirens to tenants foods and at the school garden and • Define land waterfront policy traditional • Develop use areas and medicines to • Create a enforcement foods and art orchard policies for supporting Haida only gazebo and housing ACTIONS (SAMPLE) policies barbecue area completion

• Increase Haida • Honour our • Increase • Support • Strengthen • Consider • Increase access • Increase control over culture and gathering and emergency control over land to food energy Gwaii Haanas language recreational planning lands, waters, designations • Teach younger efficiency • Reduce threats • Practice and spaces • Increase and resources and policies generations housing of outside pass on our • Improve and safety of our • Ensure bylaws • Utilize to harvest, use • Increase resource values & trad. increase hiking members are enforced lands and and protect our housing stock knowledge extraction trails and bike equally resources for resources • Improve • Govern our • Review and land according paths • Communicate employment • Prevent drainage enforce our to our culture, • Create more and coordinate • Support overharvesting • Maintain land & resource values and walkways in policies btwn. value-added of traditional current PATHWAYS (SAMPLE) PATHWAYS policies traditions the community SBC and CHN businesses food & resources buildings

Protect That Which Nurture Strengthen Enhance Build a Sustain Food, Promote Our Land & Makes Us Community Community Good Vibrant, Medicines Sustainable Waters Haida Connections Resilience Governance Local and Natural Housing & Economy Resources Infrastructure DIRECTIONS

22 CCP Tllgaay ad tang.G̱wan ḵyang.gaay 'láa HOW WE LIVE Protect Our Land & Waters

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Tllgaay ad tang.G̱wan Challenges Many elders are between the ages of 75 & 95 and getting elders out on the land (Land & Waters) Today Haida Gwaii is remote and shipping costs and water has its own challenges. Also are high. Access to fresh produce is limited Our first priority as Haidas is to protect our incomes are limited to be able to afford and grocery food is expensive. Residential land and waters that have sustained us for items needed to hunt, fish and harvest and school has affected the number of people millennia. Our culture is tightly intertwined process food. with our land. Through everything we passing down the traditional knowledge do, we are taught our Haida Laws and of food gathering. We need to provide that gina ‘waadlux̱an gud ad kwaagid opportunities for elders and those with (everything depends on everything else). the knowledge of harvesting and hunting Gina gii sdaahlas sG̱un isda We ask “How will this affect the land?” to pass this down to the youth and those Only take what you need wanting to learn. And “How can I do this with Yahguudang (Haida Law) (Respect)?”

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Reduce litter/pollution • Teach local food gathering, catching • How many people eat locally grown produce • Utilize valuable knowledge of Elders and preserving • People grow or harvest their own food • Strengthen traditional land use • Fix Copper Bay • Number of people participating in Copper Bay • Plant vegetable/berry gardens fishery • Host voluntary community clean-ups • Community greenhouses • Document traditional roles & teach • Community environmental demonstrations them in school • Number of hunters • Water conservation activities • Number of fishers

23 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Tllgaay ad tang.G̱wan ḵyang.gaay 'láa Protect Our Land & Waters

Photo: Malcolm MacLean

Our Tllgaay 'Waadlux̱an Ḵaydts'id Challenges (Environmental Protection) Today Activities like logging, fishing and Invasive plants like Knotweed choke our We are proud to live on Haida Gwaii and development have damaged our creeks, spread rapidly and are difficult to get value the beautiful, clean, and relatively environment. Some people dispose of rid of. Risks including industrial pollution, untouched land and waters. We must protect garbage improperly, and/or dump fish and rising sea levels, and climate change threaten them from threats like climate change, animal carcasses where they shouldn’t - our village. We are especially concerned invasive species, and resource extraction, so showing disrespect and attracting pests. We about the threat of an oil spill in our waters, future generations can enjoy them. Some are concerned about the environment, but which could threaten our entire way of life. areas are especially important to protect, such face barriers to acting responsibly; it is difficult We are committed to defending our land and as animal habitat, our watershed, and where to recycle here, and we don’t currently metre waters against such threats. we gather food. water usage, limiting incentive to save water.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Increase Haida control over Gwaii Haanas • Purchase a • Set up a bottle depot • Areas being protected • Reduce threats of outside resource extraction/ multijurisdictional vessel • Host regular clean ups • Water usage exploitation • Create navigation training • Create compost program • Water quality • Review and enforce our land and resource program • Create a no litter policy • Recycling/composting program policies • Define land use areas and • Distribute new garbage • Types of heating/energy sources • Increase monitoring of heritage sites, protected supporting policies boxes • Pollution levels areas and traditional gathering sites (including • Expand reserve boundaries • Create animal control • Energy consumption Skyass and Indian Head Islands) • Increase buffer zones policies • Number of community clean-ups • Improve monitoring and enforcement by Haida around protected sites, • Contract our waste • Number of recycling pick-ups fisheries officers water courses, and eagle disposal • Number of people recycling • Keep our community clean and heron nests • Clean up the industrial site • Number of free days at the dump • Invest in sustainable local power generation • Create waste disposal and • Eliminate dependence on diesel generators recycling policy • Prevent environmental damage from pollution

24 CCP Id X̱aaydaG̱a G̱an id unsiida HOW WE LIVE That Which Makes Us Haida

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our X̱aayda kil ad Giinaa’ah Our art, singing, dancing, and drumming between the ages of 75 & 95 and our (Language and Culture) Today enhances our lives, inspires us, and is time with them is limited. The Elders known worldwide. who attend HlG̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil Naay That which makes us Haida is in everything (SHIP) were repeatedly celebrated by we do and how we live. It’s grounded Challenges Gud G̱a Is participants for their Nang in our Xaaynang.nga Ḵuuyada (values), Ḵaadlljuus (leadership) in the preservation our beliefs and sG̱aaga (spirituality). Our language is in a critical state and all of X̱aayda kil. Our elders have recorded We believe in the SG̱aana Yah G̱ids efforts must be made to keep it alive. and documented our language, stories (supernatural), our origin stories, that we Haida way of life has been negatively and songs for future generations. Many are no more important than the tiniest influenced since contact with Residential master carvers and artists make it practice grain of sand, and that every act must School, Small pox, Influenza, Indian to teach to the next generation. Efforts are be done with Yahguudang (Respect). We Hospital etc. Efforts are being made being to bring things back to tlsda gina practice our traditional laws and live by to teach X̱aayda kil at every level of gid (the way things were). our clan system in our matrilineal society. education. Our fluent speakers are

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Learn our language • Local drop-in programming to teach • Elders teaching at language • Drumming events per year • Incorporate traditional skills & crafts programs • Community members with language & culture • Two cultural camps to operate yearly with • Cultural / immersion programs Haida names into education survival skills • People funded for master • Feasts and cultural events • Improve access to • Update curriculum to reflect Haida values & apprentice program • Use of traditional healers and art culture • Amount of language funding medicines • Improve access to • Host an immersion summer camp available • Traditional foods harvested & the land & water • Host story telling evenings • Fluent Haida speakers eaten • Certify Haida language teachers • People learning Haida • People with Haida blankets/ • Mentor program to connect youth & Elders • Paid positions for Haida vests/hats language teachers

25 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Id X̱aaydaG̱a G̱an id unsiida That Which Makes Us Haida

Photo: Guy Kimola

Our Ga taa gii haalx̱a Our knowledge about the ocean and Haida together in time. Haida names exist for (Traditional Food Gathering) and culture, values, ethics, and laws are handed every inlet, bay, river, and lake, every point down from generation to generation. From of land, stretch of coast, rock formation and Cultural Places Today an early age, Haida children learn to dig mountain. Many are story names that reflect We use the land for traditional food harvesting clams, spear octopus and gather seaweed. our ocean origins and connections to the and gathering of medicines. Before contact, We learn to prepare seafood for the table by places of Haida Gwaii. every bay and beach was occupied by Haidas steaming, frying, baking, boiling, campfire living harmoniously with the land and water. and barbecue. We learn to preserve seafood Challenges Our origin stories remind us of the sacred sites with smoke, salt and sugar, and to can, dry where SG̱aana Yah G̱ids (supernaturals) and and freeze food. Our land can sustain us as Resource industries threaten our way of life. humans were born from the land. we harvest year round. Our connection to Logging and fishing have decimated fish the land and ocean is timeless and intimate. stocks and monumental forests. Dirty Hlgawjuu We have an active Gyaa Ḵ'id Naay (Carving Traditional foods are vital to our people’s (energy) now threatens our ocean way of life. House), a beautiful X̱aayda Gwaay Guu Gina well-being. Many of them are medicinal, Ḵ'aayga Ḵuuya Saahlinda Naay (Haida Gwaii nourishing and sustaining us today as ever. Ga taa idG̱an xiila Museum) and Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay Our food is our medicine Llnagaay. Haida place names hold the stories of a place and a people and how they have grown (Haida Elder)

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Practice and pass on our values and • Gather our oral laws and write them • Types of traditional food harvested traditional knowledge down • Types of traditional medicine • Govern our land according to our • Create policies to restrict harvesting harvested culture, values and traditions of traditional foods and medicines to • Number of smokehouses • Protect traditional knowledge Haida only • Number of people who have access to • Practice our traditional food gathering • Build more smokehouses a smoke house and preparation techniques • Put up X̱aayda kil interpretive signs

26 CCP Id ‘waadlux̱an guudang.ngaay ‘yuwan ad gud gaa.ngang yahk’ii HOW WE LIVE Foster Community Pride and Equality

Photo: Malcolm MacLean

Our Xaayda ‘waadluux̱an ‘Llnagaay Ḵuuya Naay (Youth Centre). Community Challenges members also take pride in our plentiful (Community) Today Members expressed concern for the and clean water. Skidegate in a small village where impact that unkempt and unfinished buildings have on our health and the community is a way of life. Our Xaayda Community clean-ups happen a couple public appearance of our community. ‘waadluux̱an ‘Llnagaay (community) will times a year and are enjoyed as another We are experiencing housing shortages, come together to help when needed. We chance to connect. The community would especially affordable housing for youth are taught to look after each other and the like to see more clean-ups, and more and Elders. Cleaning up and caring for our importance of Ginax̱an gudgiigid (sharing volunteer-ism generally, and supporting homes and community gathering places of wealth). Our members showed great elders with wood chopping etc. In the will help foster pride in where we live, appreciation for the numerous gathering old days fisherman would pull up to the work, and play. Vandalism and theft also places we have in our community, beach and share a boatload of fish with all present barriers to maintaining a desirable including the Haida Heritage Centre at community members. Many hunters and public appearance. Ḵay Llnagaay, our community hall, Naa gatherers still give away traditional food G̱aa Gudgii Kyagangs (the George Brown but there continues to be a great need in Recreation Centre), and Hiit'aG̱an iina the community.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Improve public • Offer seasonal foods to Elders & help • How many empty/incomplete houses • appearance them prepare it • Number of rats caught • Expand public • Community voluntary clean-up of • Curbside cleanups/free dump days • facilities specific areas • Participation rate in community events • Increase support for Elders • Finish incomplete houses where rats • Number of community events • Offer more public and cultural events are living/check house for rats • Number of yard cleanups • Build assisted living on the waterfront • Number of beach cleanups • Build a Skidegate version of Spirit • Fund-raisers Square

27 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Gud ad is gii guudang.ngaay ‘láa isda Nurture Community Connections

Photo: Mary Helmer

‘Waadluux̱an gud ga Challenges I actually think this is a pretty (Gathering together) Today Although our community is strong and great place to raise young families Skidegate community members continue likes to come together, there are some barriers to community involvement. Haida and for them to be connected to to share how different groups in the land and sea. There are a lot of community use the land and waters to Gwaii is remote and weather restricts build community. These are all connected opportunity for outdoor activities. There support for young families already to recreational activities. We have Spirit is a lack of recreational activities for youth, but I think in general economic Lake Trail, a great hiking trail, Naa G̱aa and a need for more recreational facilities stability, strong supportive Gudgii Kyagangs (George Brown Rec Hall), and gathering spaces for all ages. There communities (and) easy access to Skidegate Community Hall, a ball field, a is also a need for more opportunities to food are important. volleyball field and 5 play parks. gather in Gwaii Haanas. Our ball field is Headstart Survey tattered and in need of an upgrade.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Increase gathering and • Install sheltered benches/rest • Build an outhouse at Spirit Lake • Number of hiking trails recreational spaces areas along the waterfront Trail • Wheelchair accessibility • Improve and increase hiking • Put in a running track at the • Build Skidegate version of Spirit • Number of outhouses trails and bike paths school Square • Number of recreational/ • Create more walkways in the • Create a gazebo and barbecue • Open a coffee shop or similar community spaces community area gathering space • Number of outdoor • Improve beach access for • Upgrade the ball field • Improve/expand Naa G̱aa Gudgii cultural spaces Elders • Create a trail or boardwalk along Kyagangs (George Brown • Number of benches • Improve Haida access to the waterfront Recreation Centre) • Number of picnic tables Gwaii Haanas • Build cabins in Gwaii Haanas • Possible building projects: • Number of beach accesses • Connect with the land and • Lower the costs of visiting Gwaii arcade, hockey rink, dance studio, • Number of gazebos and BBQs sea, and culture Haanas bingo hall, pool hall, skate park, • Number of cabins in • Upgrade Spirit Lake Trail and pool, movie theatre Gwaii Haanas make it wheelchair accessible • Number of community facilities

28 CCP Ginax̱an G̱an tllG̱uhlG̱a tll G̱iihlgii HOW WE LIVE Strengthen Community Resilience & Increase Emergency Preparedness

Photo: Mary Hemler

Our Ginax̱an G̱an x̱an G̱iihlgii through X̱aaynang.nga Naay (Skidegate are addicted to environmentally destructive (Emergency Preparedness) Today Health Centre). We already have some of sources of energy.” Many identified Elders the building blocks in place for disaster as particularly vulnerable during a disaster We are aware that climate change will have preparedness. Our HlG̱aagilda G̱uux̱agang (concerns: food security, transportation, and serious implications for Skidegate including G̱aaxihlda Naay (volunteer Fire department) communication). Much of our infrastructure sea level rise. The increasing frequency of is actively training once a week. and some homes would be in the inundation earthquakes speak to the need for updated zone if there was a dam failure. This emergency planning. Our elders in particular Challenges includes the Ḵaa Dllx̱aaws Naay (Band require special consideration in preparing for Office), HlG̱aagilda G̱uux̱agang G̱aaxihlda disaster resilience. In the event of a natural Community members are not confident in Naay (Fire Department), Co-op, Taaw calamity, our community and response teams Skidegate’s ability to respond efficiently to Naay, several homes along the river, and must be prepared to respond efficiently in a large scale disaster. Some feel uncertain our water processing plant/water storage order to minimize harm to our community. as to who would be responsible for what in location directly below the dam. Further, our An Emergency Preparedness Plan has been the event of a major earthquake or tsunami. Health Centre and HlG̱aagilda G̱uux̱agang created by the Skidegate Band Council There is also great concern regarding the G̱aaxihlda Naay (Fire Department) are in the and an Emergency Team coordinated sustainability and security of our community’s heart of the Tsunami zone. energy supply. As one member stated “we

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Plan for emergency • Designate a Tsunami gathering space/ • Volunteering groups to help elders time communications building for emergency supplies • Availability of emergency transportation • Support Elders in times • Provide emergency transportation for people • Number of emergency kits of emergency who need it • Trained volunteers for evacuation / • Ensure efficient • Designate family or clan members to check communications transportation in times on Elders • Awareness of emergency procedures of emergency • Provide emergency kits for Elders & kit • Number of emergency family plans • Prioritize food security creation workshops • Emergency vehicles • Create registration of all community • Fire department volunteer membership members for emergencies

29 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Ginax̱an G̱an tllG̱uhlG̱a tll G̱iihlgii Strengthen Community Resilience & Increase Emergency Preparedness

Photo: Malcolm MacLean

Our Ginax̱an G̱an x̱an G̱iihlgii the case of tsunami has been designated. We (Emergency Preparedness) Today also need to consider tsunami risks when we decide where to build new infrastructure, so Build storage Our village could be at risk in the case of an we keep our community safe. emergency, especially a tsunami. In light of facilities for recent earthquakes near Haida Gwaii and the increased risk of future disasters such as Challenges emergencies tsunamis due to climate change and other Many community members remain unaware factors, we need to make sure that we have of how to respond in an emergency situation. near the a plan in place so that everyone knows what There is a need for more emergency planning reservoir. to do in emergency situations - especially and public education so that everyone knows Advisory Committee during a tsunami. Some emergency plans what to do in the case of an emergency. have been developed for specific sites and departments, and the Health Centre has taken the lead on disaster planning for the community. Tsunami sirens have been placed in the community and a site for gathering in Practicing procedures will save lives Advisory Committee

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS

• Support emergency planning • Create a tsunami map • Safe zones identified • Number of tsunami sirens • Increase safety of our • Create an emergency • Number of personal • Certifications of level one members preparedness plan emergency kits first aid • Designate a tsunami • Awareness of emergency • First responders gathering place procedures • Training workshops • Number of generators • Number of defibrillators

30 CCP Tllgaay G̱an Ḵ’uulas Tll ‘Láa HOW WE LIVE Enhance Good Governance

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Tllgaay G̱an Ḵ'uulas towards improving gud Ga KilG̱uhlga and be heard by our government. We (Governance) Today (communication) between the SBC and would like to increase gud Ga KilG̱uhlga community at large. (communication) and collaboration Ḵaa Dllx̱aaws Naay, also known as within our community. We are all facing the Skidegate Band Council (SBC) Challenges similar challenges. We would like to build is striving towards greater efficiency capacity and increase support within and transparency. Increasing public Our governing bodies lack transparency. our government and staff to ensure involvement in local governance will Our community wants to become more that certain departments can meet the contribute to these Gwii hlG̱ang.gulx̱a involved and connected to those who challenges they are facing. We would (goals). It is understood that the SBC is represent us. Our community would like like to incorporate our culture into our often over extended, given the needs of to learn more about what SBC is doing governance more strongly, and use our our community and volume of requests. on a regular basis to help provide clarity traditional governance systems in everyday The strategies we adopt for increasing and confidence in our leaders. We would life. government capacity should also work like the opportunity to voice our concerns

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS

• Increase SBC • Host monthly public meetings • Newsletters • Policy implementation transparency • Start community events calendar • Public meetings • Celebrations • Improve coordination • Check scheduling for double booking • Facebook page • Number of women of public participation meetings, community events updates in decision-making • Strengthen policy • Make travel reports mandatory • Attendance at roles enforcement • Start a suggestion box at SBC community events by • Financial monitoring • Start a RCMP partnership agreement leadership • Perceived • Make more information public on the website • Evaluations of policy satisfaction • Start a community policing program

31 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Tllgaay G̱an Ḵ’uulas Tll ‘Láa Enhance Good Governance

Photo: Jags Brown

Our Nang K‘uulas and have more opportunities for the affect our lives. We need to take a strong (Governance) of Our Land Today community to participate in decision- stance and have more local control, making. Our approach to good ownership, and priority given to Haida for This land is our home. It belongs to the governance needs to reflect our culture HlG̱ang.gulx̱a dii (employment) and Nang Haida. We come from a strong governance and values, and we need to apply our rules Ḵaadlljuus (leadership) positions (e.g. more tradition of Chiefs and Matriarchs and consistently for all community members. Haida working at Gwaii Haanas). more recently have developed the Council of the Haida Nation as a Nation-wide level Challenges of governance to stand as a united front to defend our rights and Title to this land. Unfortunately, our sovereignty over our If we don’t listen then The Skidegate Band Council is responsible land has been compromised by external for local issues in the Skidegate Village powers who have limited our jurisdiction what are we doing and on other Skidegate reserve sites. over land to reserve sites which are too small and who try to control the way sitting at this table? While things are moving in the right we harvest food and resources. There is SBC Councillor direction (e.g. regular community not enough consultation and too much meetings), we still want to be better external control over the things that informed about Band Council business,

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Strengthen control over lands, waters • Expand reserve boundaries • Number of Land Use policies enforced and resources • Put in place and enforce animal control • Number of CHN public meetings • Increase Haida control over Gwaii policies for domestic animals • Number of Haida filling AMB positions Haanas • Hire a bylaw officer for Gwaii Haanas • Ensure that bylaws are enforced • Develop a communications policy • Number of CHN newsletters equally • Consult with the community on land • Number of watchmen • Communicate and coordinate policies use decisions between SBC and CHN

32 CCP ‘Laana tllG̱uhlG̱a llgaay gwii HOW WE LIVE Establish a Vibrant, Local Economy

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Daall ad hlG̱ang.gulx̱a gud ad that allow us to grow in our community. island. Employers are also leaving our tlaaG̱alang (Economy) Today We have the foundations of the necessary Islands, which leads to lack of HlG̱ang. infrastructure to support local Llgaaygwii gulx̱a dii (Employment) opportunities We have seen the departure of too many (business development) within our for our people. We are still dealing with jobs from Skidegate and Haida Gwaii. community. Our people are creative and dependency within our community. We Many of our community members have driven, and are eager to become more are dependent on government funding. left our traditional territory in pursuit of entrepreneurial. We need more funding to strengthen our these jobs and the training they require. assets. We need to decrease our debt, A vibrant local Daall ad hlG̱ang.gulx̱a gud Challenges and ensure that our economic endeavors ad tlaaG̱alang (economy) will build on are sustainable. We need to build local our economic assets to provide jobs and We are not attracting the right types of capacity within our community. We need livelihoods to all of our people. When this jobs to Skidegate. Our resource-based to train our people, and create permanent is achieved, our youth will have access industries are offering fewer jobs and jobs. Incorporating our culture into our to training for culturally appropriate jobs the majority of those are going off- economy is important to us.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Promote Skidegate • Create job training program for trades • Designated bus schedule • New jobs created Village economy • Create grants for apprenticeships in • Tourists visiting the • Trained/certified workers • Increase training trades, arts, etc. community • Family income levels • Increase mobility • Bus service around Skidegate and to • Employment rate • Graduation rates on island Charlotte • Volunteers • People working in Gwaii • Support business • Provide discounts/incentives to build • Number of people on Haanas development & homes with local materials social development • Encourage hiring entrepreneurship • New processing plant • Students applying/ educated students • Support local business plan creation receiving funding • Employment rates for • Students attending higher retuning students education

33 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND ‘Laana tllG̱uhlG̱a llgaay gwii Build a Vibrant, Local Economy

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Daall ad hlG̱ang.gulx̱a gud ad by being strategic about how we use our land mentorship opportunities, there are logistical tlaaG̱alang (Economy) Today and resources. Several businesses, as well challenges to business and employment as different levels of government, provide relating to land use. For example, lack of Skidegate’s local economy is rich, diverse, and HlG̱ang.gulx̱a dii (employment) to members public transportation can be an issue for growing, but we need more HlG̱ang.gulx̱a of our community. anyone without a personal vehicle and dii (employment) opportunities - especially there is a shortage of affordable office and for our youth so that they can stay in the Challenges retail space available for businesses. Certain community or come back after graduation. industries, like fishing, mining and logging, There are many great economic opportunities Despite these productive industries, there have been in decline as they were not available here (e.g. tourism, art, culture is still a lack of employment opportunities sustainable at their previous intensities. and language revitalization, resource use, for our community members. Along with a technology). We can strengthen our economy need for more local education, training and

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Consider land designations • Expand the industrial site • Number of new • Dollars spent in and policies • Upgrade the processing plant businesses Skidegate versus • Utilize lands and resources • Open a local market for traditional foods • Number of outside Skidegate for employment and art entrepreneurs • Number of jobs in • Support value-added • Move the sawmill to the industrial site • Number of home Skidegate businesses • Designate more land for commercial and businesses • Number of • Explore land leasing industrial use • Number of forestry organizations opportunities • Explore options for public transportation contracts held by supporting business • Improve accessibility between • Invest in local Internet Skidegate people development Skidegate and Charlotte • Explore the possibility of milling our own • Number of offices • Number of local • Expand Band-run industrial wood and building our own houses • Number of people businesses enterprises • Support the creation of shared workspaces making a living off • Land designated • Pursue small alternative the land for commercial/ energy projects industrial use

34 CCP Agan hla ḵyang.gaay ‘láa HOW WE LIVE Promote Health & Wellness

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Ngystle (Healing) Today Challenges Skidegate is fighting the impacts of Some of the challenges to our Health and We embrace the colonization such as addiction, substance Well-being are drug and alcohol abuse abuse and violence through a strong and the physical health issues of diabetes, strengths of the Haida recreational program and community obesity, arthritis and a need for healthy people and practice a supports such as the unrivaled basketball aging support. As well, our community holistic model of heatlh program. Our healthcare providers offer health suffers from gossip, insults, lateral care that encompasses a high quality of care and a new Health violence and exclusion which erode the Centre is being built by the Skidegate supportive environment that we need. all aspects of our being, Band Council and X̱aay DaG̱a Dlaan Finally, more support is needed for travel bodies, minds and spirits. Society. We know there is a need for expenses. X̱aaynang.nga Naay X̱aayna nga jii nga sk’aadga (life long learning).

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Improve access to • Traditional food gathering & • Training of traditional/ • Number of chronic health traditional healing preserving programs medicinal harvesting issues/ mental conditions • Improve self-reliance • Med-Evac escort service when family • Attendance for treatment / • Amount of medical travel (#of in healing members can’t go healing facilities trips) • Support our Elders • Program for traditional medicine • Number of people staying • Number of people relying on • Decrease addiction gathering sober after treatment pharmacy products rates • Being Elder’s home-care program • Suicide rate • Number of smoke-free homes • Improve preventative • “Elders mobile” to take Elders around • Waiting time for rehab/healing • Cancer rate health awareness to can’t drive facilities • Number of recreational • Traditional medicine program • Rate of type 2 Diabetes activities • Start a “meals on wheels” program • More community members self-identify as being “healthy”

35 LUP HOW WE USE Ga taa, xil, ad gina ‘waadlux̱an ḵyang.gaay ‘láa OUR LAND Sustain Food, Medicine and Natural Resources

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Resource Use Today educational programming (e.g. going out on taken from our islands. Our goal is to control the land with Elders) to pass on this traditional all resources on Haida Gwaii. Outsiders and Traditionally, our ancestors used our land and knowledge. We also need to improve how we some community members are also exploiting waters for everything they needed: food, monitor and manage our resources (e.g. fishing, our resources, selling plants and medicine that medicine, building materials, heat, art, etc. Today, hunting, medicine gathering, forestry, mining, shouldn’t be sold, overfishing, and hunting we continue to practice many of the same food, etc.) and make sure everyone is following the irresponsibly. The volume commitment for medicine and resource gathering and preparation rules we put in place. timber export limits our ability to protect the techniques as our ancestors. We want to do more environment. There seems to be a double to make sure that future generations continue to Challenges standard in enforcement where Haida are understand our values and traditional practices The Haida Nation is fighting for Title of our monitored for their food gathering but others regarding the use and management of all that lands and waters. The majority of our lands and are not. The local salmon population is also comes from the land and water. More community resources have been sold to the crown and threatened, by human activity such as damming facilities are needed (e.g. community garden, other private entities. Haida people see little our water source as well as animals like bear, seals smokehouse, processing plants), events, and to no financial compensation for the resources and sea lions that feed on salmon.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Increase access to food • Develop a management policy • Number of people participating in food • Teach younger generations to plan for cultivation of • Consider population gathering/growing harvest, use and protect our berries control for seals, sea • Returnable fish count resources • Re-establish a lions and beavers • Types of fish being caught • Prevent over-harvesting of community garden and • Start a campaign to • Number of cultural wood access permits traditional foods, medicines orchard reduce water use • Number of homes that use local wood and resources • Create a fish hatchery • Improve community • How many people are collecting firewood • Protect and manage animal • Develop a management awareness of forestry • Number of community gardens populations plan for hunting deer policy development • Number of patio gardens • Protect watersheds and • Develop harvesting and • Train fish guardians • Salmon run stocks manage water supply licensing policies • Develop usage policies • Number of Salmon enhancement rivers • Improve fisheries monitoring • Enforce no bear hunting for Slate Chuck • Number of licenses issued

36 CCP Ga hiit’aG̱aniinas gii daagwiiyah isda HOW WE LIVE Empower Our Youth

Photo: Malcolm MacLean

Our Hiit'aG̱an iina (Youth) Today with each other. Our recreation programs disconnected from our culture. for youth are extensive, especially Comparatively few youth are fluent Our Dlaayla (youth) are the future of our basketball. Our youth are passionate in X̱aayda kil. Many youth lack deep community. They are full of potential, about themselves and their lives. They connections with our Elders. We need and require opportunities to learn and have strong social networks. to make our recreational opportunities grow that are in harmony with their for youth more accessible. Bullying is Haida culture. Supporting the young pervasive in our communities. We need people of Skidegate through recreational Challenges to support our youth more and provide opportunities, education, and cultural We lack sufficient learning opportunities training opportunities for post-secondary knowledge will ensure that our community for our youth. We need more specialty employment and education. We need to grows in the best way possible. We have courses for our high school students provide more jobs for youth to ensure that a beautiful Hiit'aG̱an iina Ḵuuya Naay to better prepare them for the future. they stay in Skidegate and lead healthy, (Youth Centre) in our community. There Our Hiit'aG̱an iina are increasingly fulfilling lives. are places for youth to gather and connect

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Learn our language • Local drop-in programming to • Elders teaching at language teachers • Incorporate teach traditional skills & crafts language programs • Drumming events per year language & culture • Two cultural camps to operate • Cultural / immersion • Community members with into education yearly with survival skills programs Haida names • Improve access to art • Update curriculum to reflect Haida • People funded for master • Feasts and cultural events • Improve access to values & culture apprentice program • Use of traditional healers the land & water • Host an immersion summer camp • Amount of language and medicines • Host story telling evenings funding available • Traditional foods • Certify Haida language teachers • Fluent Haida speakers harvested & eaten • Mentor program to connect youth • People learning Haida • People with Haida & Elders • Paid positions for Haida blankets/vests/hats

37 LUP HOW WE USE OUR LAND Naagaay ad k’iiwaay Ḵ̱yang.gaay ‘láa Promote Sustainable Housing and Infrastructure

Photo: Mary Helmer

Our Public Infrastructure Today Our Naax̱ang Naay (Housing) Today Challenges The Skidegate Band Council owns Skidegate’s housing stock is strong with 392 Water treatment during flood conditions and and maintains a wide variety of public units including one duplex and six apartment leakages in the pipe systems are challenges. Some infrastructure ranging from roads, water and units. The remaining are single family homes, of the buildings such as SHIP and the gym require sewer systems to public buildings. Although 80% of which are member owned. SBC secured repairs and renovations. Poor lighting, signage some infrastructure is working well, several funding will make possible the installation of heat and absence of sidewalks pose traffic safety areas need upgrades and updates. Also, there pumps in 350 or these homes to lower home hazards. Repairs or replacements are needed for is a need for more office space, an Elders‘ heating costs. There are 150 serviced lots for 82 homes and housing for single people is needed. Assisted Living Facility, and sidewalks to future development with 2 homes built per year. Two concerns are abandoned and unfinished ensure pedestrian safety. Currently eight people are waiting for homes. homes as well as unequal land distribution.

PATHWAYS ACTIONS INDICATORS • Review and • Review lot policies • Grade roads to ditch and • Number of people that smoke alarms update housing • Honour Certificates of clean ditches have a Certificate of • Number of renters and development Possession • Build more sidewalks Possession • Number of new homes policies • Enforce policies for tenants • Install more streetlights • Rate of home • Number of speed • Increase energy • Develop policies for housing • Put signage at Slate Chuck ownership bumps/stop signs efficiency in homes completion • Develop energy efficiency • Inspections • Number of sidewalks/ • Increase housing • Upgrade lots standard for new housing • Mold renovations street lamps stock • Revitalize the Housing • Build an apartment complex • Tear downs • Number of home • Improve drainage Committee in Skidegate • Unfinished/Unsafe maintenance • Maintain current • Build houses • Create home maintenance houses workshops buildings • Build new SHIP building or workshops/training • Elders accommodation • Number of • Increase traffic renovate existing building • Tear down unsafe houses • Number of people renovations/repairs safety • Put speed bumps in Village • Reallocate or resell living in a house • Our Public • Maintain roads • Put up more stop signs abandoned houses • Number of homes with Infrastructure

38 Uu hla isda Implementation

Turning Ideas into Action Our planning process does not end with Tools for implementation: completion of the plan. In many ways it • Setting targets is just beginning. Implementation or Uu (i.e. data collection) hla isda means “just do it!” It spells out • Initiate pilot projects how we will achieve each Kil G̱uuhlG̱a (i.e. small-scale, short-cycle) (Direction), the risks associated with each pathway, and the resources/partnerships • Consistency and coordination that might be required for successful (i.e. Who is responsible?) action. • Progress checks (i.e. status) Implementation is where Gud G̱a Is will expand its presence in Skidegate, as Action items certain CCP pathways are entrusted to Action items are broken down into three Councilors, Band Staff, organizations categories: and community members who are the most likely to make a great impact. 1. Quick starts: relatively straightforward These community-level actions turn actions that are easy to implement into day-to-day operational activities right away, low cost, high level of and procedures. Community/elected community support, result in visible/ Nang Ḵaadlljuus (leadership) and Band momentum-building results. Council staff are committed to working together regularly to carry out new 2. Short-Term actions: (1-5 years), are activities, and to regularly report to the high priority, community supported community, evaluate how well they are actions. being implemented. *See Gud G̱a Is 3. Medium to Long-term actions: (over Uu hla isda/Action Plan & HlG̱aagilda 5 years) Have a lower community KilG̱uhlga - Gud G̱a Is Action Plan for priority, require additional long-term more information. funding. Advisory Commitee meeting in Council Chanmbers

39 Throughout the process “quick-start” where will the money come from, etc. The actions have already begun. The Haida implementation strategy forms the basis of Language Revitalization Plan (HLRP) is one work plans for SBC departments. instance of this. The HLRP capitalized on funding availability and the willingness Process & Procedure Checklist: of organizations like HlG̱aagilda X̱aayda kil Naay (SHIP) and the Old Massett • Community Input – Community provides to partner in the revival of the Haida input on department objectives and work Language. Many see the HLRP as an • Draft Plan – Program Administrator and efficient action towards the CCP Kil department staff draft work plan and budget G̱uuhlG̱a (Direction) of “That which makes based on experience and community input us Haida.” Another quick-start is the Haida • Plan Review – Program Managers/ Language Development Term Certificate Administrators review work plan and research Program, where 14 students are working collaboration opportunities or cross-sector/ on getting their diploma on Haida Gwaii organizations to prevent overlap to teach Haida in schools. Not all actions will have the ideal combination of funding • Band Manager reviews action plans availability, willingness to partner, and • Council Reviews political will that the HLRP experienced. The benefits, costs, and trade-offs of Important Questions: each potential action should be measured • Is there a Band Council Resolution needed? carefully before investments in large-scale • Support letters need from existing partners/ projects are made. organizations? Gud G̱a Is is a living document, as priority • Is there a Committee/Working Group? actions are identified, the implementation • Is there a work plan/time line? strategy will need to be updated, • What is the budget? identifying how each action will happen, who will be responsible for them, when will • Will employment opportunities be created? Advisory Commitee meeting in Council Chanmbers they happen, how much will they cost and • What is the sustainable long-term plan?

40 G̱a Ḵyahts’ii ad llgaay gwii Ḵyang.gaay 'láa Monitoring & Evaluation

Keeping the Plan Alive Staff and contributes to the both Land These tools will guide our monitoring and Use Uu hla isda (Action) Plan and CCP Uu evaluation process: How well are we moving toward our hla isda (Action) Plan. We must continue community vision and directions? Are we to determine whether we are achieving • Are we doing what we said we would do? succeeding? Where do we need to shift the anticipated results from our plan. This • Who will be responsible for the and adapt our approaches to achieve part of the plan is often overlooked for monitoring and evaluation of Gud G̱a Is? better results? various reasons including lack of time and • Are we having the impact we want on resources, but it is important for ensuring what we care about? Monitoring that we progress towards the vision that The Community Plan will be a living we worked so hard to create together. • What will be tracked? What information document, activities and achievements Continually asking ourselves whether our will we need to collect to effectively that contribute to the plan and its actions are contributing towards our Kil understand our impacts? implementation will be documented on G̱uuhlG̱a (Directions), is one important • How will we track our progress? What an ongoing basis. Our monitoring and way of understanding our progress. It is indicators will we use? How often will we evaluation system will act as a channel for also important to understand Monitoring go through this process? accountability and a management tool for and Evaluation as an ongoing process, • How will we report on our findings? improving the programs and projects we not just something that happens at the What process will we use to shift our will be implementing. end of each of our community planning actions where needed? processes. Our monitoring and evaluation system • What can we do better? provides the framework to assess how The following list outlines some pieces to well community priorities are being think about as we continue our M&E plan implemented and what impacts they and framework. Generally the framework is are having on the community. We will based on our Kil G̱uuhlG̱a (Directions) and continue to engaged the community the performance measures of each Uu hla to identify indicators for measuring isda (Action). This will hold us accountable outcomes, target timelines for completion, to the key issues we expressed throughout and responsibilities for carrying out the process and help us understand actions. This information continues to whether or not we are making progress be developed through insight from SBC toward our vision. Photo: Mary Helmer

41 Photo: Mary Helmer

Evaluation Measures We will evaluate the success of the Plan • Conduct an evaluation at each • Status of our Community Engagement and identify where adjustments might be Community Planning Gathering to Evaluation needed, and then celebrate the successes. evaluate increasing awareness, trust, • Our ability to develop indicators to In order to be able to demonstrate the open & honest Gud Ga KilG̱uhlga measure our success with regards to: success of the Plan to the community as (communication) & level of community addressing the root causes, increasing well as to funders and other stakeholders, member’s feelings of being empowered our understanding of ‘Who We Are’, indicators will need to be evaluated and by having greater decision-making increasing our use of Traditional modified, which will show how the actions control. Foods, reclaiming our power to take from the CCP & LUP are progressing at • Conduct evaluations when meeting responsibility for ourselves, increasing any point in time. with community organizations, leaders, trust & unity between organizations & partners to evaluate increasing increasing our ability & capability for We will assess our plan and process awareness & understanding of self-determination in our businesses & the results at our annual celebration Community Plan & activities. community organizations and more formally every 5 years. The • Conducting evaluations to evaluate Chief Administrative Officer will ensure • Number of contributions & success our ability to plan together to address that the evaluation of progress toward stories to our local media & priority needs. implementing Gud G̱a Is happens in a communications respectable and comprehensive way. Staff • Number Community Planning and program managers will be tasked with Presentations (community, partner, be evaluated their progress on the Plan leadership) annually. Community members will be • Number of members on Skidegate CCP engaged as a step in the implementation Facebook Page process.

42 Celebration: Once a year, we will celebrate what has been accomplished. Progress will be reported annually using this as a guide to communicate and centralize current information. Recognition of each effort made toward our vision will energize us to keep moving forward.

43 Conclusion & Next Steps Continue Quickstart Projects, Short help frame our vision for the future. future planning, the CCP can be used as and Long Term Projects These Directions represent what is most a starting point for additional research important to us, and they also provide and planning. The implementation of It is an exciting demonstration of a method for evaluating the Uu hla isda the CCP will require a coordinated effort successful planning in Skidegate to (actions) we will pursue to meet our between leadership, local governments, see that many actions which had been Vision. These actions will continue to community organizations, local businesses, identified as priorities in Gud G̱a Is be researched and implemented by the and individual community members were already underway by Council and Advisory Committee and the Skidegate themselves. other organizations. These “quick start” Band Council to determine which will initiatives provide a positive feedback be pursued first. These actions relate Gud G̱a Is has been created by the loop to the community to show them that to our 8 Directions, and are supported Community of Skidegate for the people planning actually matters, they can have by our Situation Assessment which of Skidegate. The plan and all it contains an impact on their community and their outlines the strengths and areas for is owned exclusively by the people of this voices are being heard. These successes growth that exist in Skidegate. The Chief community. The Elders, adults, youth, and will continue wherever opportunities Administrative Officer, in consultation children who participated in the many present themselves, and they will be with Chief and Council, will ensure that community planning sessions that led to recognized and celebrated as they occur. the updating of Gud G̱a Is , happens this point in the process are honoured for as part of the evaluation and renewal their contributions. Summary process. The Skidegate Band Council Over the past 4 years, we have explored and Staff are committed to continuing our past, our present, and our future. We their active consultation with community have learned from each other, we have members and will continue to strive for Our process will connected, and we have honoured our greater transparency. Regular reporting never be finished, differences. Our Vision provides insight will be made to the community on into our hopes for the future, and the the implementation, evaluation and Gud G̱a Is is a living community that we want to create. celebration of Gud G̱a Is, in order to increase accountability and to make the document and will Our 8 Kil G̱uuhlG̱a (Directions) for Plan a public fixture in Skidegate life. Gud G̱a Is is a guide for SBC and general continue to evolve. Gud G̱a Is & HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga will Planning Team provide overarching themes that are community to identify public decisions important to our community, and these that are supported by members. For

Acknowledgements HlG̱aagilda KilG̱uhlga G̱aa.nga - Skidegate Planning Group

We would like to recognize particular contributions made by some community members including: Sheldon Moody (volunteering), Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (for translations), elders from church organizations, youth, and students from Haida Gwaii Higher Education (volunteering). The Community Planning Advisory Committee were also volunteers who played a key role in supporting the process. This plan would not have been as outstanding without your support. Haawa.

Special thanks to the planning team members involved in the collection and documentation of information in this document including: Barbara Stevens (CAO), Marcia Piercey (Education Coordinator), Janine Williams (Assistant Coordinator), Loni LeBlanc & Cheryl Sosick (Assistant Coordinators), Dana Moraes (Coordinator), and Ryan Barnes (Youth Intern). Also our extended team of brilliant contributors includes: Jessie Hemphill and Sandra Harris, from CCP Mentorship program at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Jeff Cook, UBC Instructor (School of Community & Regional Planning), Krystie Babalos (UBC) and Jessa Williams (UBC), Melanie Harding (UBC) and Daniel Iwama (UBC), Malcolm MacLean (UBC) and Emma Fineblit (UBC), Savannah Zachary (UBC) and Megan Kingwill (UBC). Haawa

Haawa to the community of Skidegate for visualizing Gud G̱a Is into life.

The development of this Comprehensive Community Plan, Gud G̱a Is, was lead by the Skidegate Band Council and made possible through funding contributions by Indian & Northern Affairs, BC Capacity Initiative, P&ID, and New Relationship Trust.