Construction underway at Old Massett

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Following years of population decline, the northern tip of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) will experience growth led by the return of First Nations people.

A new sub-division will be added to the Old Massett reserve, where 293 homes will be constructed during the next decade for about 1,000 Haida who are expected to return home. The 163-hectare parcel of land being added will double the reserve's size, and the subdivision will use half of that.

The first 20 homes will be completed by the end of summer.

This growth will revitalize the area's economy and reinforce local Native culture. The subdivision, named Tlaga gaw tlaas, or "new town," will alter the ratio of 5,000 registered Haida people presently living in Haida Gwaii from 40 per cent to 60 per cent, once the homes are completed. Returning band members will increase the population of the area by one-third when the non-Native village of Masset, also with about 1,000 population, is factored in. The Skidegate reserve, located 90 kilometres south of Old Massett, has about 800 residents.

"The challenge is getting ready (for them) when we've had 75 to 80 per cent unemployment back here," said Chief Ron Brown, Jr., who is in his fourth year as chief. "About one-third of our membership live in Prince Rupert, and many of them were shoreworkers who were working as of last year."

The construction and associated trades required to build the homes is a welcome boost for a region hit hard by cutbacks to three significant sectors in the late 1990s: the reduction of fishing and lumber and the closing of the Canadian Armed Forces station.

"With the people coming back, there's going to be a revival in the economy, except this time Old Massett will play a huge part in it," band administrator Peter Lantin said. Lantin is in charge of the subdivision project.

What's making this expansion work is the co-operation between the reserve and the village. Old Massett had nowhere else to grow because it is surrounded by water on three sides. The new subdivision will be located across the canal, and the Native housing areas will circle the village of Masset.

The band and the village created a joint municipal services agreement to benefit the entire region. The reserve kicked in $800,000 for Masset's water treatment plant, while both parties agreed the new wastewater facility will be built in Old Massett. Several drafts of potable water and wastewater agreements have been developed and are under consideration by the parties.

Particularly excited about the changes is the economic development officer for Old Massett, John Disney. He said both communities have to work together to improve their future.

"This way nobody has any excess power and this makes it work for (village and reserve) without control problems."

In addition to the reserve housing, there are longer-term plans to create a $40 million project featuring a Haida museum, a longhouse and a hospital. Disney believes this multi-million dollar project encompassing 40,000 square feet on a 52-hectare lot will be the key to long-term sustainability for the reserve, and likely the region. Its working name is kluu laanas, or "canoe village."

This tract of land is the undeveloped property separating Old Massett and Masset, within the village boundaries. Masset formerly offered to transfer the property to the reserve.

Recently, Old Massett brought it up again with the village. Lantin discussed the idea of transfer with the citizens of Masset and received almost unanimous support.

"Why would they say no? It would permit the growth of their community and ours," Lantin said.