Haida Gwaii

The Haida Gwaii is a group of islands off the north coast of British Columbia. The name means "Islands of the People" in the language of the Haida, who claim the archipelago as their ancestral lands. Captain George Dixon named this group of islands the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1787 after one of his ships, which in turn was named for the wife of King George III, and this was its official name until 2010 when Haida Gwaii was accepted.

A glimpse of the spectacular landscapes and seascapes of Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area.

Video not working? Report a broken link.
The Haida Gwaii include about 150 islands in a scimitar-shaped archipelago 250 km long. Graham and Moresby Islands comprise the bulk of the 10 000 km² area. Separated by 48-140 km of open water (HECATE STRAIT) from the mainland islands, the Haida Gwaii are among the most isolated islands in Canada. Also unique is the absence of a continental shelf off the steep western ramparts of Moresby Island.

SGang Gwaay Llnagaay (Ninstints) on SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island). A tour led by one of the Haida Gwaii Watchmen of Ninstints on Anthony Island in Haida Gwaii National Park Reserve. From You Tube.

Video not working? Report a broken link.
HistoryArchaeological evidence indicates human occupation of the Haida Gwaii for at least 6000 to 8000 years. Juan PÉREZ was the first European to sight the islands (1774). They were visited by James COOK in 1778. At that time the HAIDA nation populated the islands and probably numbered 6000 to 8000. European diseases drastically lowered the Haida population to about 588 individuals in 1915, the most dramatic drop for any tribe recorded in the province. The present population of all peoples on Haida Gwaii is about 5000.

Until recently, most people were loggers, fishermen or miners in the villages of MASSET, Port Clements (incorporated 1982), and Queen Charlotte (incorporated 2005), and the communities of Old Massett, Skidegate, Sandspit and Tlell. Today geologists, biologists and recreationists come to study and enjoy the rugged mountain scenery (peaks up to 1200 m) along the western backbone of the islands, spectacular fjords, seabird and sea lion colonies, dark giant Sitka spruce and cedar forests, and remnants of decaying Haida TOTEM POLES.

Natural and Cultural Treasures

The Haida Gwaii were formed by the movement of huge plates under the Pacific Ocean from the region of the South Pacific to their present location (see PLATE TECTONICS). Unlike most of Canada during the last ICE AGE, parts of the Haida Gwaii escaped glaciation. This, coupled with the islands' isolation, has resulted in these islands becoming a biologically unique area in Canada. There are numerous plants here that are found either only on the Haida Gwaii or in distant lands such as Japan.

All the native land mammals and 3 kinds of birds are subspecifically unique, with the BLACK BEAR being the largest in North America. Unfortunately, introduced species have been taking their toll on many native plants and animals. Several species of seabirds are now at risk because of the threats posed by introduced predators (rats, squirrels and raccoons).

The old Haida village of Ninstints (SGang Gwaay llnagaay), on ANTHONY ISLAND (SGang Gwaay), has been made a UNITED NATIONS WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Conservation measures to slow the natural degradation of its spectacular totem poles hope to extend their existence as part of a collection of world treasures.

The cultural and natural features of the Haida Gwaii draw tourists. Naikoon Provincial Park, with its vast beaches and bogs, attracts hikers. The SOUTH MORESBY area, with its outstanding totem poles, marine life, hot springs, forests and mountain scenery, is unrivalled in Canada as a place to explore by water. In 1993 this area was protected by the creation of GWAII HAANAS NATIONAL PARK RESERVE and in 2010, the adjacent marine waters received protection with the establishment of the GWAII HAANAS NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA RESERVE.

Author BRISTOL FOSTER

Links to Other Sites
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve of Canada
The Parks Canada website for the scenic Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve of Canada. Features online resources about Haida history and culture as well as local geography and natural history. See also the link to the "Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site".

Masset
The official website for the Village of Masset, located on the Haida Gwaii archipelago. Click on the menu on the left for information about local tourism activities, the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary, and more.

Geodynamics
A well-illustrated online guide to natural geological processes related to plate tectonics, earthquakes, and related events. From Natural Resources Canada.

Haida Gwaii
An illustrated visitor’s guide to the natural history and First Nations landmarks on the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands.

The Colonial Despatches
View digitized copies of correspondence (dated 1846 - 1859) between the British Colonial Office and the "colonies" of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Search or browse this site for references to specific individuals, communities, companies, or industries in the province. Also includes digitized images of maps of various locations. From the website for the University of Victoria.

GSC Pacific - Sidney
The website for the Sidney Pacific Geoscience Centre. Offers an overview of local research inititatives. From Natural Resources Canada.

Skidegate
The website for the Haida village of Skidegate on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Interesting links about local history and culture. From the Skidegate Band Council.

Naikoon (Agate Beach and Misty Meadows) Provincial Park
Informative website for the beautiful waterfront Naikoon (Agate Beach and Misty Meadows)Provincial Park in the Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Check out the scenic photo gallery. From the Government of BC.

Haida Spirits of the Sea
Ancient artifacts and works of art reveal the history and traditions of the Haida at this Virtual Museum website.

SGaang Gwaii (Anthony Island)
The website for the SGaang Gwaii (Anthony Island) World Heritage Site in the Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Features beautiful images of historic Haida totem poles. A Parks Canada website.

Old Massett Village Council
A profile of Old Massett Village on the east shore of Masset Sound, on Graham Island, Queen Charlotte Islands. Offers information about treaty settlement negotiations, land use planning, and social and cultural initiatives. A Government of British Columbia website.

BC Ferries
The official website for BC Ferries. Ferry schedules, information about the ferry fleet, travel guides, promotional videos, and more.

A Journey to a New Land
A multimedia website about the arrival of early humans in the Americas. Features activities that help students learn about archaeological research techiques and discoveries. From the SFU Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Virtual Museum of Canada.

Our World - Our Way of Life
Learn about Haida and Inuit culture as revealed through oral histories, works of art, and photographs in this extensively illustrated Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit.

The Haida : Children of Eagle and Raven
This site explores the history of the Haida people in British Columbia. From the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Haida Gwaii earthquake yields new data
A CBC TV feature about ongoing research into patterns of earthquake events along the Haida Gwaii archipelago.

The Bill Reid Centre For Northwest Coast Art Studies
Part of the Department of First Nations Studies at Simon Fraser University, this centre is devoted to "the study of First Nations art of the Northwest Coast as the visual embodiment of a broad cultural development since the end of the last Ice Age." Click the links on the right side of the page to view an illustrated profile of the history and heritage of featured language groups and villages.

Haida Salmon Restoration Corporation
The website for Haida Salmon Restoration Corporation, an organization which focuses on resource surveys, ecosystem management, restoration of damaged regions, and careful sustainable harvests.