Canada hands ‘long-overdue’ title over more than 200 islands to Haida Nation

The Haida have long been at the forefront of the battle for recognition of their inherent rights to the 200 islands off the north-west coast of British Columbia. Photograph: Ben Nelms/Bloomberg via Getty Images

For centuries, the Haida people have known that the impenetrable forests and bountiful waters of Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai – “the islands at the boundary of the world” – were both a life-giving force and their rightful home.

Now, after decades of negotiation, the province of British Columbia has come to the same conclusion: the title over more than 200 islands off Canada’s west coast should rightfully be held by the Haida Nation.