The Haida People

Indigenous peoples · Pacific Northwest · First Nations · rich culture

Island home. The Haida people live on Haida Gwaii in British Columbia and the Alexander Archipelago in Alaska, islands surrounded by the Pacific Ocean where forests meet the sea.

Master artists. The Haida are famous for creating incredible totem poles, masks, and jewelry that tell stories about their families, animals, and history. Each carving and design has special meaning.

Eagle and Raven. The Haida divide their families into two main groups called clans: the Eagle clan and the Raven clan. This system has organized Haida society for hundreds of years.

Ocean travelers. The Haida are skilled boat builders and sailors who hunted whales, fished for salmon, and traded with other nations using their handmade cedar canoes.

Own language. The Haida language is spoken by their community and has its own unique sounds and words that can't be found in English or other languages.