Why Haida Gwaii
“Haida Gwaii is in a process of becoming one of the most exciting places in Canada in terms of the way in which Canadians are rethinking how we are going to run the country [and] how we are going to live together” John Ralston Saul, 2002
The future of natural resource education is taking shape in Haida Gwaii. A remote archipelago off the northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada, Haida Gwaii boasts spectacular coastal rain-forests and island seascapes. In addition to its breathtaking and dynamic landscape, the islands occupy a position on the leading edge of environmental conflict and resolution, reconciling First Nations rights and title, and maintenance of a sustainable natural resource economy.
Recently, in December 2009, Guujaaw, president of the Haida Nation, and Gordon Campbell, then premier of British Columbia, signed an historic reconciliation protocol, Kunst’aa guu – Kunst’aayah (“the beginning”), marking the commencement of shared land-use decision-making. June 2010 saw the islands’ name officially change back from “Queen Charlotte Islands” to “Haida Gwaii”. The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve was established, making southern Haida Gwaii the first place in the world to be protected from mountain top to seafloor. These are only the most recent in the long succession of historical events that have put Haida Gwaii at the forefront of environmental stewardship, recognition of First Nations rights and title, and social and economic transitions.
The Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society has developed the Haida Gwaii Semester to provide an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in this exciting resource-dependent community. Students encounter not only the very real challenges of sustainable resource management, but are also able to witness and contribute to the progressive solutions being developed and implemented here in Haida Gwaii. The Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society welcomes students to join us for an inspirational and life changing semester on the cutting edge of natural resource education.
To learn more about our exciting program, click here.
“I learned more about forestry, management, and the coming together of various groups with different backgrounds and values to protect and restore Haida Gwaii than I ever would have sitting in a classroom in Vancouver. I grew as a student and will remember these invaluable lessons and apply what I’ve learnt in the future.”
- SFU Field School student
