Timeline

1887

Nisga’a Chiefs travel by water to Victoria to discuss the Nisga’a Land Question; they are turned away on the steps of the legislature by Premier William Smithe.

1888

Aboriginal fishers are excluded from commercial fishing until 1923.

1890

First Nisga’a Land Committee established.

1910

Prime Minister Laurier promises to settle the Land Question.

1913

Nisga’a Land Committee submits its petition to the British Privy Council in London.

1924

Nisga’a Nation allotted 76 square kilometers of reserve land.

1927

Ottawa prohibits Aboriginal people from organizing to discuss the Land Question.

1949

Nisga’a Chief Frank Calder is elected to the B.C. legislature.

1951

Parliament repeals provisions of the Indian Act that outlawed the potlatch and prohibited land claims activities.

1955

Nisga’a Land Committee is reestablished as the Nisga’a Tribal Council; Frank Calder is elected its first president.

1960

Aboriginal people are granted the right to vote in federal elections.

1973

In the “Calder Decision,” the Supreme Court of Canada rules that the Nisga’a had held Aboriginal title before settlers came, but the judges split evenly on whether Aboriginal title continued to exist.

1976

Nisga’a begin negotiating with Ottawa (B.C. government attends as an observer). The federal government adopts a “comprehensive land claims policy”; the Nisga’a claim is the only one in B.C. started under this new policy.

1982

Constitution of Canada recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal rights.

1989

Nisga’a people begin managing their own healthcare system through the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority.

1990

British Columbia formally enters Nisga’a negotiations.

1991

A tripartite framework agreement is signed between the Nisga’a Nation, Canada, and British Columbia. 1992 Nisga’a Fisheries is established to manage the resource in partnership with Canada.

1993

Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a (Nisga’a House of Wisdom) is established to provide Nisga’a-based post-secondary programs in Nisga’a communities and select urban centres.

1994

B.C. delegates authority to the Nisga’a Nation for Child and Family Services.

1996

On March 22, representatives of the Nisga’a Tribal Council, Canada, and British Columbia sign the Nisga’a Agreement in Principle, paving the way for a final agreement.

1998

On August 4, the Nisga’a Treaty is initialed in New Aiyansh, making news around the world.

On November 7, the Nisga'a Nation votes to ratify the Nisga'a Final Agreement and adopt the Nisga'a Constitution. 

On November 30, the Nisga’a Final Agreement (Bill 51) is introduced in first reading to the British Columbia legislature.

1999

On April 26, the Nisga’a Final Agreement (Bill 51) is granted Royal Assent.

2000

On April 13, the Senate approves the Nisga’a Final Agreement; the Nisga’a Treaty is formally ratified and Bill C-9 is granted Royal Assent.

On May 11, Nisga’a Lisims Government formally comes into effect, constitutes itself, and passes first laws.

On September 14, Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a, Lisims government’s new legislative and administrative building, opens as the formal seat of Nisga’a government in New Aiyansh.

2002

In December, the 28-kilometre Nisga’a Highway Kincolith Extension Project is complete, connecting Gingolx to the rest of the Nisga’a Nation and the wider North American road network.

2004

Nisga’a Lisims Government establishes enTel Communications Inc. to bring broadband Internet access to the Nass Valley.

2005

The Nisga’a Highway 113 Upgrade Project is complete. The project includes the upgrading of 90 kilometres of gravel source road to a paved, two-lane, 70 km/h year-round highway.

The Forestry Transition Committee concludes and the Nisga’a Nation takes full control of all timber resources on Nisga'a Lands.

2008

After six years of dedicated work, the Anhluut’ukwsim Saw’inskhl Nisga’a (the printed version of Ayuukhl Nisga’a) is presented for the first time at the Nisga’a Nation Special Assembly. A cornerstone of the Nisga’a culture, the document is a gift to future generations.

2009

Groundbreaking for the Nisga’a Museum takes place in July.

2010

On May 11, 2010 Nisga’a people—along with fellow British Columbians, Canadians, and friends from around the world—gather to celebrate the first decade of the Nisga’a Final Agreement.

2011

On May 11, 2011 the Nisga'a Nation officially opens the Nisga'a Museum.  This facility houses the Nisga'a artifacts repatriated from Canada and BC under the Nisga'a Final Agreement and is a permanent place for all peoples to experience the rich life and legacy of Nisga’a Nation.

 

 

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