The Gitga'at First Nation is a Canadian First Nation,[5] also known as the Hartley Bay First Nation.[6] The members of the Gitga'at First Nation are often referred to as the Gitka'a'ata. The population of Gitka'a'ata peoples living in Hartley Bay is around 140 as of November 2024.[6][7] There are also about 400–500 Gitk’a’ata peoples living in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.[6][8][9] The Gitk’a’ata people have lived in Hartley Bay for hundreds of years, possibly longer.[6][9] During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were requirements for visiting Hartley Bay, such as vaccination status and British Columbian passport.[10]
The Gitga'at Nation currently has a tourism-centric economy.[9] Some of the past economies for Hartley Bay were centered around fishing (selling fish, fishing lodges).[8] These methods still generate income in the present.[8] Tourism surrounding fishing lodges emerged in 2009 and became the most prominent source of income. It is still the most prominent.[8] There are also camps that are for recreational and educational activities such as radio and industrial construction.[11] These camps are usually executed as "boot camps" and are advertised to give job opportunities.[11] There are also constant job postings on the Gitga'at First Nation social media pages.[11]
Geography
The area of Hartley Bay is large and for the most part undeveloped and forest.[12][8] It is bordered by Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and several islands off the west coast of British Columbia.[12][8]
Government
The current counsel is made up by Arnold Clifton (Chief Councilor), Cam Hill, Marven Robinson, Bruce Reece, and Simone Reece (councilors).[6] 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.[6] In addition to Guardians, the community values its environment and land, so typically the Guardians are focused on any potential threats to the territory.[8][6] 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.[6]
Hartley Bay Indian Band entered a treaty with Canada and British Columbia known as The Gitga'at Treaty.[14] 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.)[14] 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.[15]
The Gitga'at First Nation first encountered Europeans in the early 1800s.[8] Katherine Turner has made several dissertations that include the Hartley Bay Band.[8][9]
↑ 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.
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