The Gitga'at First Nation is a Canadian First Nation,[2] also known as the Hartley Bay First Nation.[3] The members of the Gitga'at First Nation are often referred to as Gitka'a'ata. The population of Gitk’a’ata peoples living in Hartley Bay is approximately 140 as of November, 2024.[3][4] There are also about 400-500 Gitk’a’ata peoples living in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, a neighboring territory.[3][5][6] The Gitk’a’ata people have lived in Hartley Bay for hundreds of years, or longer.[3][6] During the COVID-19 pandemic there were requirements for visiting Hartley Bay, such as vaccination status and British Columbian passport.[7]
Economy
The Gitga'at Nation currently has a tourism-centric economy.[6] Some of the past economies for Hartley Bay were centered around fishing (selling fish, fishing lodges).[5] These methods still generate income in the present.[5] Tourism surrounding fishing lodges emerged in 2009 and became the most prominent source of income. It is still the most prominent.[5] There are also camps that are for recreational and educational activities such as radio and industrial construction.[8] These camps are usually executed as "boot camps" and are advertised to give job opportunities.[8] There are also constant job postings on the Gitga'at First Nation social media pages.[8]
Geography
The area of Hartley Bay is large and for the most part undeveloped and forest.[9][5] It is bordered by Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and several islands off the west coast of British Columbia.[9][5]
Government
The current counsel is made up by Arnold Clifton (Chief Councilor), Cam Hill, Marven Robinson, Bruce Reece, and Simone Reece (councilors).[3] There are representatives known as "Guardians" that work towards preserving and protecting their territory from others that may use harmful ways of getting resources on their territory.[3] In addition to Guardians, the community values its environment and land, so typically the Guardians are focused on any potential threats to the territory.[5][3] The Guardians do many tasks including protecting the ocean from fisheries riding the line of the territory and conducting research to protect coastal habitats and endangered species.[3]
Hartley Bay Indian Band entered a treaty with Canada and British Columbia known as The Gitga'at Treaty.[11] The treaty is still in progress but is gearing towards ownership of certain areas of land and the right to use it as they please (hunt, fish, develop, reserve, etc.)[11] In 2003, The Hartley Bay Indian Band made a deal with British Columbia to settle a land dispute in for the right to tree cutting licenses and a cash payment.[12]
The Gitga'at First Nation first encountered Europeans in the early 1800s.[5] Katherine Turner has made several dissertations that include the Hartley Bay Band.[5][6]
^Kennedy, Peter (16 October 2003). "B.C. signs deal giving natives stake in logging: Pact with Gitga'at First Nation aimed at setting stage for treaty talks in province". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. B6. ProQuest1368406959.
