The Hartley Bay Indian Band is also known as the Gitga'at First Nation or the Hartley Bay First Nation.[1] The members of the Gitga'at First nation are often referred to as Gitka'a'ata. The population of Gitk’a’ata peoples living in Hartley Bay ranges from approximately 130-200 people.[2][1] There are also about 400-500 Gitk’a’ata peoples living in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, a neighboring territory.[1][3][4] The Gitk’a’ata people have lived in Hartley Bay for hundreds of years, if not always.[1][4] Some notable things regarding the Gitga'at First Nation are their economy, geography, government, sports involvement, COVID-19 regulations, and relations.
The Gitga'at Nation currently has a tourism-centric economy.[4] Some of the past economies for Hartley Bay were centered around fishing (selling fish, fishing lodges).[3] These methods still generate income in the present.[3] Tourism surrounding fishing lodges emerged in 2009 and became the most prominent source of income. It is still the most prominent.[3] There are also camps that are for recreational and educational activities such as radio and industrial construction.[5] These camps are usually executed as "boot camps" and are advertised to give job opportunities.[5] There are also constant job postings on the Gitga'at First Nation social media pages.[5]
The area of Hartley Bay is large and for the most part undeveloped and forest.[2][3] It is bordered by Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and several islands off the west coast of British Columbia.[2][3]
The current counsel is made up by Arnold Clifton (Chief Councilor), Cam Hill, Marven Robinson, Bruce Reece, and Simone Reece (councilors).[1] There are representatives known as "Guardians" that work towards preserving and protecting their territory from others that may use harmful ways of getting resources on their territory.[1] In addition to Guardians, the community values it's environment and land, so typically the Guardians are focused on any potential threats to the territory.[3][1] The Guardians do many tasks including protecting the ocean from fisheries riding the line of the territory and conducting research to protect coastal habitats and endangered species.[1]
The Gitga'at First Nation has participated in the All Native Basketball Tournament.[6]
There are requirements for visiting Hartley Bay due to the pandemic.[7] Such requirements include vaccination status and British Columbian passport.[7]
Hartley Bay Indian Band entered a treaty with Canada and British Columbia known as The Gitga'at Treaty.[8] The treaty is still in progress but is gearing towards ownership of certain areas of land and the right to use it as they please (hunt, fish, develop, reserve, etc.)[8] In 2003, The Hartley Bay Indian Band made a deal with British Columbia to settle a land dispute in for the right to tree cutting licenses and a cash payment.[9]
The Gitga'at First Nation first encountered Europeans in the early 1800s.[3] Katherine Turner has made several dissertations that include the Hartley Bay Band.[3][4]
Indian reserves under the administration of the Hartley Bay First Nation are:[10][11]