The Haida

Isolated in the north Pacific on Haida Gwaii, the Queen Charlotte Islands, the Haida are one of the principal Pacific Coast nations and have their own distinct language.  Haida chiefdoms are hierarchical (as are Nuu-chah-nulth, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka' wakw).  Both Haida and Tsimshian inherit chief status matrilineally, others through both parents.  Established 2,500 years ago, the class distinctions of nobles, commoners and slaves prevailed.  Potlatches were effective ways of changing one's status through giving or receiving.

The Haida raided and traded from Alaska to California, supplementing their population with 1/3 slaves, taken as prisoners.  More than 90% of their population died from disease after European contact.

When both the fur trade and gold rush expired, the Haida started mining argillite, a black slate that Haida artists continue to use for their famous carvings.  Bill Reid, renowned for his carvings and jewelry, led Haida cultural revitalization, celebrating the canoe as the paradigm for Haida culture.