Who We Are

Coastal First Nations is an alliance of First Nations on British Columbia’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. Coastal First Nations includes the Wuikinuxv Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation, Gitga’at First Nation, Haisla, Metlakatla First Nation, Xwémalhkwu, Old Massett Village Council, Skidegate Band Council, and Council of the Haida Nation.

Creating a Conservation-Based Economy

In the past decade concern over the destruction of the world’s coastal rainforests has reached global proportions. Alarm about the extinction of species, the irreversible damage to the delicate balance of the Earth’s climate control system and the tragic harm that’s been done to First Nations cultures has captured the attention of millions of people around the world.

Many organizations have formed and are doing important work addressing virtually every aspect of the problem. And yet, rare coastal rainforests continue to be lost. Despite best efforts, the disappearance of our coastal rainforests, like many other global economic, social and environmental crises, seem beyond our ability to control. Obviously a new approach to the problem is needed.

Our elders and hereditary leaders have told us that a sustainable economy depends on our ability to create partnerships that combines the ancient wisdom of our traditional cultures with the intellectual and scientific expertise of the modern world. For thousands of years First Nations carefully managed the abundance of natural resources in the sea and on the land by relying on our knowledge of seasonal cycles to harvest a wide variety of resources without harming or depleting them.

The Need to Work Together

For many years our communities worked in isolation, but in the Spring of 2000, leaders of our communities on the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii came together to discuss the common problems that we face, such as high unemployment, a lack of economic opportunities in the resource sectors and a lack of access to resources in our Traditional Territories. It was clear from the outset that our strength would be to form a coast-wide united front. Together we could make progress on the socio-economic issues that we have been largely unable to do as individual First Nations.

We are creating a brighter future for our communities by working together. We are optimistic that significant change can be achieved over the next 10-15 years through our work on land and marine use planning, economic development and capacity building initiatives.

Coastal First Nation Goals and Objectives:

Looking forward, the challenge is to develop a new conservation-based economy on BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. To do so there must be recognition of the inextricable link between economic and ecological sustainability. It is not possible to achieve one without the other.

A new strategic approach to development must include:

• sustainable ecosystem-based management of marine and land resources;
• increased local control and management of forestry and fisheries operations;
• coordinated development through regional strategic planning in forestry, fisheries and tourism with an emphasis on value added initiatives; and
• partnerships and cooperative arrangements with governments, industry, ENGOs and other stakeholder groups.

Creating a New Culture on the Coast

Over the past five years, Coastal First Nations has played a leadership role in bringing together a range of interests on the coast to address the unsustainable policies and practices that have damaged the environment and devastated coastal economies and communities. New partnerships have been developed with environmental groups, the federal and provincial governments, industry and other interests to begin the move to a conservation-based economy with increased First Nations involvement through strong leadership and vision.