About Us
Introduction
To ensure a sustainable “Islands community” we must plan and manage our own development in ways that reflect our cultural and environmental uniqueness.
The Gwaii Trust offers us an opportunity to pursue fundamental economic and social transition. The lack of some of the most basic community infrastructure demands immediate attention. The pursuit of a sustainable community requires us to address and implement responsible stewardship.
The Gwaii Trust offers us an opportunity not readily available to the rest of the world. As individuals we may choose to act together for the common good of our “Islands community.”
Quality of life is an essential issue. As we make the “Islands community” a better place to live in, we make it a more desirable place to visit and to conduct business.
Values and Beliefs
The Gwaii Trust Society values and believes in:
- fairness and equity
- effective communication
- willingness to change
- building and demonstrating trust
- an holistic approach to a healthy Islands community
- consensuses decision-making
- a Trust Fund in perpetuity
- credibility
- collaborative problem solving
Principles
In delivering its business plan the Gwaii Trust Society will:
- follow the constitution and bylaws
- communicate effectively with Island communities
- provide effective guidance to communities on proposal preparation
- provide effective guidance to communities on proposal preparation
- maintain a strong financial management plan that respects its investment policy and is reviewed on a regular basis
- encourage all Islands participation in the Gwaii Trust and its programs
- set consistent criteria for each program
- be guided by principles of fairness and equity
- emphasize programs that will lead to the vision of an Islands community
- follow policies and criteria developed by the Board of Directors
- listen to and consider public input
- not replace or duplicate existing government programs
- encourage partnering with existing programs or agencies to maximize benefits to the Islands
- continue to refine its programs and operations
- attempt to maximize the available funding
Legal Status
The Gwaii Trust Society is registered as a non-profit Society to maximize tax exemption for the Trust. In addition, the Gwaii Trust Society will research the possibility of becoming designated as a “charitable status” organization.
Gwaii Trust Constitution 
| Constitution Goals and Objectives (please click on the PDF file for more information) |
|
| a) | to carry out activities beneficial to the Communities (collectively, the Community") of the archipelago of Haida Gwaii through: |
| i) | accepting funds from any donor, grantor or contributor; |
| ii) | assisting in promoting the cultural and economic health of the Community; |
| iii) | assisting in promoting the making of decisions by the community that affect the economy and cult rue of the Community; |
| iv) | assisting in developing strategies to promote the well-being of the Community; |
| v) | fostering the spirit of cooperation, cultural understanding and trust by promoting the concept of the Islands as the Community; |
| vi) | stimulating employment in the Community through improvements in Islands infrastructure; |
| vii) | making the Community a better place to live through improvement of the Islands infrastructure and thereby making the Islands a more desirable place to visit and to do business; |
| viii) | assisting in the promotion of education and artistic expression in the Community; |
| ix) | providing for research into the land and marine ecosystems and archaeology of the Islands; |
| x) | providing for conserving and sustaining the land and marine ecosystems and archaeological sites of the Islands; |
| xi) | providing for research into planning and implementation of strategies for a long- term sustainable economy for the Community; |
| xii) | providing, where appropriate, local municipal services in lieu of a municipality doing so; |
Gwaii Trust Bylaws
(please click in the PDF file for more information)
Published by the Gwaii Trust (Booklets are available at Gwaii Trust offices)
For more information please contact the Executive Director.
PO Box 588
Massett, BC
V0T 1M0
(250) 626-3654 (Old Massett Office)
(250) 559-8883 (Skidegate Office)