We want to share with you the origins of our people and your role as a guest in our homelands. While visiting Haida Territories, we ask for your respect to our Air, Ocean, Lands and People. The respect you give will be returned as you learn about our history that reaches back before Raven brought light to the world.

Haida origins are credited to several hundred Nang SGáanuwee Supernatural Beings. They created our lands, waters, and ways of life. Our oral records reveal the true beginnings of Haida Gwaii and our people. Prior to European contact, our ways of life developed through living on the land and connection with other coastal peoples, creating relationships that have continued to this day.

As our guests, it is important that you know the realities of colonization and the history of genocide and forced assimilation that occurred here and throughout Canada. Anyone you speak with on Haida Gwaii could be directly impacted by these historical traumas, and we ask that you be sensitive to these matters when listening and learning. The following timeline speaks of a very dark period, and it’s necessary in order to learn the true history of Canada.

Through all that has been done to assimilate our people, we have remained deeply rooted to the lands and waters of Haida Gwaii. The strength of our ancestors has guided us to care for our Territories and has kept our people and ways of life breathing.

Our Nation continues to abide by governance under our K’uul Jaad • K’ul Jáad matriarchs and Kílslaay • Kilslaay chiefs. Additionally, the Hereditary Chiefs Council, made up of Potlatched Hereditary Chiefs of Haida Gwaii, provides the Council of the Haida Nation with guidance and advice on important matters to protect the Nation’s culture.

Place name restoration is extremely important to Haida sovereignty and health. In 2010 our Nation hosted a potlatch called “Giving Back the Name with Respect.” This event was created to officially give the name Queen Charlotte Islands back to the crown, and restore the original name of Haida Gwaii to our Islands. This same effort can be seen all over Haida Gwaii today with local communities, streets and landmarks named in our language, and the original names of points of land and bodies of water also being restored, most recently in partnership with BC.

We encourage our visitors to book with local businesses and tour operators who know our lands and waters. To help you plan for the best experience possible.

Yahguudang is the backbone to the Haida Ways of Being. We show respect to all things. Much of the flora and fauna of our Islands is unique to Haida Gwaii, guided and protected by Kálga Jáad Ice Woman during the last glacial retreat. We continue to monitor and respect all the beings of Haida Gwaii to ensure they remain and our ways of life flourish.

Before visiting Haida Gwaii it’s important that you have planned ahead and are well equipped! No matter if you are hiking, boating, kayaking or camping, there are many ways to prepare for a safe and enjoyable trip.

To ensure everyone is doing their part to correct and prevent harm done to the Air, Earth, Ocean, and People of Haida Gwaii, it’s important to make things right when we make mistakes.

This reminds us that no matter how much time a person spends on Haida Gwaii, we are all part of a very intricate web of life. Beachcombing, harvesting, boating and driving all have a ripple effect on the various habitats and ecosystems of our lands and waters so it’s important that we all tread lightly!