Safekipedia

Haida people

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

Traditional Haida drummers and singers welcoming guests to an ancient village on the shores of Ḵay Llnagaay in Haida Gwaii.

The Haida People

The Haida are a special group of people who live on Haida Gwaii, a group of islands off the coast of British Columbia. Some Haida people also live on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. They are part of the many First Nations in British Columbia and tribes in Alaska.

The Haida are known for their beautiful carvings and woven baskets. They are also good traders and sailors. Their language, Haida, is very different from other languages nearby. Today, the Haida in Canada are represented by the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN), the Old Massett Village Council, and the Skidegate Band Council. In the United States, groups like the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska help keep Haida traditions alive.

The Haida have lived on Haida Gwaii for a very long time. They have strong traditions of telling stories. They are known for their special gatherings called potlatches, where they share gifts and celebrate special moments. The Haida make beautiful artwork, including large wooden carvings like totem poles and colorful blankets.

Some well-known Haida artists include Bill Reid, Robert Davidson, and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. The Haida people have a rich culture and many interesting traditions that they continue to share with the world.

Images

Historical portrait of a young woman from the Haida people of the Queen Charlotte Islands, dressed in traditional attire from the late 1700s.
Portrait of Haida lawyer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson and master carver Robert Davidson, showcasing Indigenous leadership and artistry.
Traditional Haida plank houses and totem poles in Skidegate Village, British Columbia, Canada, from 1878.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Haida people, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.