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Queen Charlotte Islands General Information
The Queen Charlotte
Islands, Haida Gwaii to its n The Islands have a total area of 1,018,000 hectares with parks and reserves. The islands attract visitors from all corners of the world as a place to explore the west coast rainforest and associated marine environments. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on Moresby Island, and Naikoon Class 'A' Provincial Park on Graham Island border the south and east sides of the timber supply area.
Forest products, recreation and native culture highlight the range of values and uses found on the islands. Where drainage and soil nutrient conditions are favourable, stands of trees can achieve some of the fastest growth rates on the coast. Subdued terrain on the Queen Charlotte Lowlands and Skidegate Plateau have extensive bogs and nutrient poor stands, while rugged steep terrain dominates the west coast. As a result, only a small percentage of the timber supply area is available for timber harvesting.
The Queen Charlotte Islands are a large and complex island ecological system. Animals unique to the area include a sub-species of North American black bear, a sub-species of marten (both larger than their mainland cousins), and species of deer mouse, dusky shrew and short-tailed weasel. Concerns over the population decline of the Queen Charlotte goshawk and marbled murrelet prompted their listing as provincially red-listed threatened and endangered species. Sitka black-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, beaver and three species of rats were introduced to the islands and now exist in great numbers - much to the detriment of some native plants and animals.
The Queen Charlotte Islands includes the communities of Sandspit, Queen Charlotte City, Skidegate, Tlell, Port Clements, Masset and Old Massett. According to the 2001 Census, about 5,000 people reside on the Queen Charlotte Islands. In 2001, the population for each community was: Sandspit (435), Alliford Bay (25), Queen Charlotte City (1,045), Skidegate (743), Tlell/Tow Hill/Lawn Hill/Miller Creek (538), Port Clements (516), Masset (926), and Old Massett (707).
The Queen Charlotte Islands is largely a resource based economy, with forestry the predominant sector. The forest industry sector accounts for approximately 19 per cent of the Queen Charlotte Islands total labour force. Forestry employment includes logging and forestry services, and primary timber manufacturing. Primary timber manufacturing presently occurs at three small- to medium-sized mills on the Queen Charlotte Islands, although a number of other small mills operate intermittently. The majority of timber is shipped to the mainland for processing. The public sector is also an important source of employment and income for residents of the Queen Charlotte Islands. The service sector, consisting of finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE), accommodation, wholesale and retail trade, other personal services, and transportation, communications and utilities (TCU) also support a substantial percentage of the labour force.
Haida Gwaii has been home to the Haida people for as long as oral history and archaeology have recorded occupation of the islands. At least 14,000 people have lived in over 126 known village sites. Following first contact with Europeans, the population plummeted to 589 by 1911, all resident in either Skidegate or Old Massett. Today, two out of three Haida live off-island, many of whom are planning to return. In 1993, a statement of intent to pursue treaty negotiations was filed. While progress towards achieving an agreement has slowed, cases pending in the courts could ultimately affect the size of the timber harvesting land base. Such cases include: defining the meaning of proof of aboriginal title; and how Haida interests could affect area-based tenures issued by the province In 1998, the Haida Accord was finalized, which stated that the Council of the Haida Nation would represent the Haida people in relation to the provincial and federal governments on matters dealing with land and resources. Food, shelter, medicines, and material culture have been prepared from over two hundred species of plants. Most physical evidence of this use, primarily in the form of culturally modified trees has been lost to commercial harvesting. Much of the Haida cultural expression depends on yellow and red cedar. The demand for all ages of these tree species is increasing during the current renaissance of Haida art, especially for monumental trees suitable for canoes, poles, and longhouses. Interest in the economic opportunities of forestry has also increased. In part to protect the supply of such resources for future generations, 14 areas of interest (nine in the timber supply area) have been identified by the Council of Haida Nation or by the Haida House of Assembly. Any known information regarding the Haida's culture that affects timber supply will be considered in the timber supply review.
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