Haida elders lead blockade to stop logging at Athlii Gwaii (Lyell Island)
Oct. 30, 1985
Haida activists and allies block a logging road on Lyell Island as Haida spokesperson Gary Guujaw beats a drum.
On this day in 1985, hereditary chief lead blockade of loggers from Western Forest Products, on Haida Gwaii (then called Queen Charlotte Islands). The campaign lasted 3 months and 72 Haida citizens including elders Ethel Jones, Ada Yovanovich and Watson Pryce were arrested by the RCMP and charged with Contempt of Court. "The elders themselves decided that," Haida hereditory chief Gidansda Guujaaw said. "In fact, they were asked not to [protest]. They insisted, they wanted to be the first ones to make their point. And they were quite willing to take the consequence, no matter what that was."
The campaign was successful and in 1988, approximately 1,470 sq. km of Haida Gwaii was transformed into the South Moresby National Park Reserve, which was later renamed the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. A Legacy pole honoring the struggle and Haida land stewardship was raised on August 15, 2013. It was the first pole raised in the Gwaii Haanas region in over 130 years.
The campaign was successful and in 1988, approximately 1,470 sq. km of Haida Gwaii was transformed into the South Moresby National Park Reserve, which was later renamed the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. A Legacy pole honoring the struggle and Haida land stewardship was raised on August 15, 2013. It was the first pole raised in the Gwaii Haanas region in over 130 years.