Before-and-After: What Happens When Indigenous Nations Take Back Their Lands

['John Ahni Schertow', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Intercontinental Cry 2025-09-09 14:35:21

This kind of hysteria speaks volumes about Canada’s failure to reckon with Indigenous land rights. When Indigenous nations take back their lands, forests grow again, rivers run clean, salmon return—and communities gain the possibility of a future rooted in sustainability and care. In April 2024, the Haida Nation and British Columbia government finalized the Gaayhllxid/Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement, formally recognizing Haida ownership of all Haida Gwaii. They are living proof that Indigenous governance works—not just for Indigenous nations, but for all life that shares the land. Do we cling to fear and hysteria about being “kicked out,” or do we embrace a future where Indigenous nations are empowered to lead the way?