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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.
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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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