History of establishment

In 1974, disputes began over the future of southern Moresby Island. Unsustainable logging plans precipitated a public proposal to protect the South Moresby Wilderness Area. 

In 1985, the Haida Nation designated the area a “Haida Heritage Site” and a blockade was held on Lyell Island.

Logging continued in the face of legal and political controversy until July of 1987, when Canada and British Columbia signed the South Moresby Memorandum of Understanding. 

One year later, the South Moresby Agreement was signed, paving the way to Canada's designation of the area as a National Park Reserve.

The Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement in 1993. The Agreement expresses respect for Canadian and Haida interests and designations, and includes a mutual commitment to protect Gwaii Haanas.

Based on the Agreement, Gwaii Haanas is cooperatively managed by the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which is made up of an equal number of representatives from the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada.

On January 16, 2010 the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement was signed, expanding the cooperative management partnership to include representation from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The AMB is responsible for all aspects of planning, operation, and management of Gwaii Haanas.

Timeline of Establishment

1985 - The designation of the terrestrial and marine areas as a Haida Heritage Site by the Council of the Haida Nation.

1988 - The commitment from the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada to protect the terrestrial and marine environment (The South Moresby Agreement).

1993 - The Gwaii Haanas Agreement in which the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada agreed to the co operative planning, management and operation of the terrestrial and marine areas.

1997 - Four major oil companies gave up their petroleum leases within the boundaries of the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.

2001 - The transfer of seabed interests from the Province of British Columbia to the Government of Canada.

2002 - The enactment of the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act. The act provides the authority for the establishment of national marine conservation areas and outlines the steps required to do so.

2008 -Formation of an Interim Marine Advisory Committee.

2010 (January) - Signing of the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement to complement the existing Haida designation for the ocean area as a Heritage Site.

2010 (June) - Establishment of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.

2013 - Celebrating 20 successful years of cooperation, Gwaii Haanas raised the Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole in Hlk’yah GawGa Windy Bay.

2018 - The Gwaii Haanas Gina ’Waadluxan KilGuhlGa Land-SeaPeople Management Plan was signed. This plan provides a blueprint for responsible and respectful stewardship that will ensure the continuity of Haida culture and protect the natural heritage of Gwaii Haanas for future generations.