Message from the Chair
Message from the Chair
2009/2010
It is hard to believe that we are getting prepared to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Lyell Island movement. It seems not that long ago that residents’ of Haida Gwaii were pushed to the point of demonstration to ensure the protection of our sacred lands. Lyell Island paved the way for Haida Gwaii to realize the power of all peoples coming together to protect our island. I know I speak for most islanders when I say, we owe a lot to those who demonstrated at Lyell 25 years ago.
I have a deep personal connection to Lyell, and this is in the form of my Naanii Ethel Jones. While I was only 10 years old, I remember my Naanii insisting that she stand on the line at Lyell Island. She did not care what the consequences could have been, not even the threat of being arrested was enough to sway her determination. I carry so much pride being able to call her my Naanii, and normally brag about this whenever possible. One of my proudest stories was told to me by Allan Wilson, Chief Sgaaniwaans. He told me that after he brought Naanii Ethel back to her house after she left the police station, he asked her, “Is there anything I can do you for Ethel?” Her response…. “Yes, I want my finger prints back; those are mine, not theirs.” I get very emotional even writing this story down, never mind saying it out loud to others. Amazingly, once again my Naanii’s determination paid off and she received her finger prints back. I miss her deeply and know that many other Haida Gwaii residents also miss loved ones who stood the line at Athlii Gwaii.
Now that I have been appointed as the Chairperson of the Gwaii Trust Society and Gwaii Forest Charitable Trust, a tremendous sense of pride has been achieved. I only wish my Naanii Ethel could be here to see it. Both Trusts, with a combined valued at over $90 million dollars, are an asset that has already done so much for Haida Gwaii. It is one of my goals to ensure that people know how important it is for us to protect the trust, and at the same time to ensure we utilize the profits of the trust in a responsible, respectful, and constructive way for the betterment of all the residents of Haida Gwaii.
The Trust is a complex organization. The original $38 million dollars has seen a significant amount of financial return over its history to date. Today the fund has a valuation of nearly double of what we started with, after putting back more than $40 Million into the Haida Gwaii economy. Funding important items such as infrastructure projects (water and sewer treatment, Qay Centre, etc.), education, health, culture and community initiatives. In 2007, Gwaii Trust was also successful in bringing home the SMFRA fund to Haida Gwaii by creating the Gwaii Forest Charitable Trust, initially a $24 million fund. Collectively, Haida Gwaii has combined assets valued at over $90 million dollars, an impressive amount, especially for an island with a population base of less than 5,000 residents.
Over the past few years, we have experienced substantial financial fluctuations in the market like many other organizations. The losses have changed the way we look at the financial situation of the Trust. Our investment strategy has shifted from,” how much return can we safely achieve on our investment?” to “how can we best minimize our risk in the marketplace?” The answer is for Gwaii Trust to continue to look at ways to diversify its investment portfolio. The Trust is looking at achieving continual diversification by looking at new investment instruments, such as international equities (stocks), mortgages and more recently, real estate, and partnerships.
On the ground, all members of Haida Gwaii know what the Gwaii Trust is. The programs and services offered by the Trust are tremendously valuable. The questions that need to be continually asked are: “Are these programs working?” “Are the needs of Haida Gwaii residents changing?” “What more can we be doing with the funds?” Over the course of my tenure as the Chairperson of the Gwaii Trust, I will keep these questions front and centre and look forward to discussing these with you when given the opportunity.
In closing, the Gwaii Trust must be protected, the same way Athlii Gwaii was protected 25 years ago. We all owe a lot of gratitude to those who stood the line at Lyell Island and we all have a role to play to ensure that the Gwaii Trust lives in perpetuity for the generations that follow.
November, 1985, Athlii Gwaii (Lyell Island)