Welcome to the Land and Oceans department, where you will find information about various aspects of the Land and Oceans department, its personnel, values and strategic plans.

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Oceans

The Gitga’at Marine Use Plan (Gitga’at MUP) pertains to the marine and intertidal environment in Gitga’at Territory, and in the nearby areas that the Gitga’at people access and use for traditional purposes. Gitga’at Chiefs, elected Councilors, stewardship staff and other individuals worked on or contributed to this plan.

It conveys their vision for the Gitg’at MUP Area and the goals guiding principles and objectives, as well as zoning and management strategies for how the ecosystems and natural resources should be managed and used.

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Lands

The Gitga’at Land Use Plan (Gitga’at LUP) pertains to the lands and terrestrial resources in Gitga’at Territory, and in the nearby areas that the Gitga’at people access and use for traditional purposes. Gitga’at Chiefs, elected Councilors, stewardship staff and other individuals worked on or contributed to this plan.

It conveys their vision for the Gitg’at LUP Area and the goals guiding principles and objectives, as well as zoning and management strategies for how the ecosystems and natural resources should be managed and used. Additionally, it provides information about protocol with other administrations working in Gitga’at Territory, such as the provincial government, the federal government, and industry.

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Guardians

The Gitga’at Guardians program is the community’s eyes and ears on the Territory. Through numerous monitoring and research efforts, they help ensure that the food security, ecological health, and community well-being of the Gitga’at Nation is protected today and into the future.

Vessel-based monitoring and local sampling efforts by Gitga’at Guardians, in conjunction with a host of local and partner institutions, have provided insight into various ecological processes: including terrestrial and marine mammal abundances, local biotoxin levels, and the health of local food resources.

The Guardians regularly conduct survey work throughout Gitga’at Territory to monitor people using the territory including hunters, sport and commercial fisheries, tourism operators, logging operations, and shipping traffic. Through the Guardians various cabins, they also provide regular presence and monitoring of several especially important areas, such as critical habitats for threatened species, protected areas and cultural keystone areas.

Development and Referrals

The Gita’at First Nation is willing to support natural resource development and transportation in its Territory, provided it supports community values, economic livelihood, and is deemed to meet certain environmental standards. These determinations are made by Gitga’at decision-makers (including elected Council, and designated officers), in accordance with Elders and Traditional Knowledges. The Gitga’at First Nation asserts unextinguished Aboriginal rights and title within its Territory, and expects all proponents of local natural resource development activity to proceed from that understanding.

The Gitga’at Nation is committing to upholding its values and Territory-based practices in all engagements with industrial propoents. The Gitga’at First Nation did not find the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway (2004-2016) to meet its high environmental standards, and so the project was never approved by the Nation despite years of lobbying.