Generations of Gitxaała Basketball
Bruce Innes, the elected Deputy Chief Councillor for the Gitxaała Nation, remembers being about 13 years old, playing hockey in the basement of his school with other kids in his…
We are Coastal First Nations – a nine-member alliance of Nations of the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. Since 2000, we’ve worked together to protect our coast and create a sustainable coastal economy for the future.
Help us celebrate 20 years as Coastal First Nations #StrongerTogether.
Join us on social media for CFN 20th Anniversary stories, videos, trivia, prizes and more.
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative. This is also an extraordinary year where the world is facing a global health crisis. While it’s not the time for in-person celebrations, it is important to reflect on just how far we’ve come together and to share our hopes as we look forward to our future. Join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary.
Celebrating Our Past
The lessons we have learned as an alliance of Nations over the past 20 years comes down to two things. First, think big! Throughout our 20-year journey, we did things no one else had done before and played an integral role in protecting our lands and waters, developing government-to-government relations and creating economic opportunities. Second, believe in your goals and vision! Over the years, we have demonstrated our resilience, overcome adversity together and learned from our mistakes.
It’s About Our People and Partners
To our community members: Thank you for trusting us for many years. We are honoured to have your trust and will continue to work hard to achieve our goals.
To our staff: We are grateful for the opportunity to work with talented, dedicated and passionate people every day.
To our partners and allies: Our leaders recognize the importance of establishing collaborative partnerships that bring extraordinary value to the work we do together. We thank our partners and allies for their commitment, expertise and skills in helping us move our agenda forward.
Shaping Our Future
The journey hasn’t been easy nor is it over. It has taken courage, resilience and boldness to get this far. Let’s continue to be stronger together in shaping and defining a future where our communities are thriving. Keep us posted. We’ve got your back.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Slett
President, Coastal First Nations
Follow our Journey
For millennia, coastal First Nations have carefully stewarded our territorial lands and waters. But by the late 1990s, destructive industrial logging and commercial overfishing were depleting our resources. Our communities were struggling. Two decades ago, coastal Nations came together in a first meeting to address these harmful practices and create a new vision for a sustainable coastal economy.
In June 2000, leaders from the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii signed the Declaration of First Nations of the North Pacific Coast.
A coast-wide alliance was born.
Today we celebrate and uplift our Nations for their resiliency in overcoming adversity to protect our communities, cultures and coastal Territories. #CFNStrongerTogether
Our alliance: Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Council of the Haida Nation, Heiltsuk,
Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Metlakatla, Nuxalk, Old Massett, Skidegate, Wuikinuxv
Anniversary Stories
A Night to Remember — the Inaugural Great Bear Gala
Feature photo: Brenna Innes: Gitxaała Elected Councillor, Christine Smith-Martin: CFN CEO, Marilyn Slett: CFN President & Elected Chief Councillor of Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Dani Shaw: Elected Chief Councillor of Wuikinuxv…
Funding is available in coastal communities for carbon management
Bursaries are available for coastal community members interested in a flexible UBC online Forest Carbon Management program.
Land-Based Youth Program Shaping Lives
A summer youth program, run out of Kitasoo Xai’Xais First Nation territory, incorporates land-based education, cultural knowledge and professional skill development. The SEAS summer program (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards) is…
‘An Amazing Story, One of Tragedy and Resilience’
While a group of people settle in on a quiet evening to share food and story, a violent and insufferable war wages back in the homelands of members of the…
Snxakila Clyde Michael Tallio receives honorary doctorate from UBC
Snxakila Clyde Michael Tallio, a member of the Nuxalk First Nation, received an honorary Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, degree from the University of British Columbia on May 24, 2023….
Unlimited technological potential for Coastal First Nations
One year ago, CFN joined technology partners and allies to form the “Coastal First Nations Connectivity Network,” designed for and dedicated to improving connectivity and opening doors to new possibilities…
Haida Energy Team wins ‘Community of the Year’ Award for Clean Energy Collaboration
Tll Yahda Energy (TYE) — composed of the Old Massett Village Council, the Skidegate Band Council and the Council of the Haida Nation — received the “Community of the Year”…
‘We’re going to continue housing our people’
From Longhouse-style Elders’ buildings to new additions and energy efficient upgrades — the Old Massett Village Council (OMVC) is taking a multi-pronged approach to addressing housing needs in their community….
‘A Historic Day’: Haida Nation Recognition Act Passed in BC’s Legislative Assembly
The Haida Nation Recognition Act, which supports the Haida Nation’s inherent right of governance, has been adopted into provincial law in BC. A Haida delegation, including members of the Hereditary…
Gitxaała Bring Treasure Home, a ‘Historic Turning Point’ for the Nation
A pts’aan, a totem pole belonging to the Gitxaała Nation — sold 126 years ago during one of their “darkest periods in living memory” — has returned home, blessed and…
New Toolkit for Installing Heat Pumps in Remote Indigenous Communities
New toolkit for installing heat pumps helps coastal community members reduce the cost of heating and greenhouse gas emissions.