The Haida were the first people to inhabit the Islands. Origins unknown, they are a lingustically distinct group separate from the First Nations on the mainland of British Columbia. Known primarily for their mastery of the artful carving of monumental totem poles their culture still loosely revolves around a complex clan system based on two main clans: Eagles and Ravens.
Following a matrilineal lineage, the clans would intermarry with their offspring inheriting the clan of their mother. An Eagle man would marry an Raven woman and have Raven children and a Raven man would marry an Eagle woman and have Eagle children. As a result the main role of inheritance was between Uncle and Nephew since the Father and Son would be of different clans.
The Haida were isolated to the Islands of Haida Gwaii prior to contact. Occupying more than a dozen primary villages the Haida also occupied more than a hundred seasonal village locations throughout the Islands.
The Haida system of governance was controled by clan chiefs overseeing their clans around longhouses, the traditional communal dwelling of the Haida. Because of the Haida's system of intermareriage between clans it was common for there to be both Eagle and Raven longhouses in villages with one chief claiming ownership of the village itself.
Within the clan, a ranking system existed with chiefs at the top and slaves occupying the botton rung. Through good service or deeds one was able to rise (or drop) through the system in a limited fashion.
Women were highly respected within Haida society and their advice was often sought although they seldom held the title of Chief.
Rivalry existed within the Haida Nation but primarily the aggression of the Haida was focussed on First Nations on the BC mainland and Vancouver Island.
Today, due to the pressures of disease, religion and government the only occupied Haida villages on Haida Gwaii are Skidegate and Old Massett. Both these communnities have a similar system of elected governance with other municipalities within British Columbia, albeit with larger responsibilities.
The Haida Nation's governement relations are conducted with the Province of British Columba and the Government of Canada by the Council of the Haida Nation an elected body of the general population designed to represent the interests of the herediatry chiefs.
With no treaties signed with the Haida Nation, title of Haida Gwaii remains unresolved and recent court challenges have forced the governments of Canada and British Columbia to seriously negotiate with the Haida Nation. The Haida Nation has currently suspended its court challenge for title in favour of entering into the BC Treaty Process after several wins supporting their title were had at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Following a matrilineal lineage, the clans would intermarry with their offspring inheriting the clan of their mother. An Eagle man would marry an Raven woman and have Raven children and a Raven man would marry an Eagle woman and have Eagle children. As a result the main role of inheritance was between Uncle and Nephew since the Father and Son would be of different clans.
The Haida were isolated to the Islands of Haida Gwaii prior to contact. Occupying more than a dozen primary villages the Haida also occupied more than a hundred seasonal village locations throughout the Islands.
The Haida system of governance was controled by clan chiefs overseeing their clans around longhouses, the traditional communal dwelling of the Haida. Because of the Haida's system of intermareriage between clans it was common for there to be both Eagle and Raven longhouses in villages with one chief claiming ownership of the village itself.
Within the clan, a ranking system existed with chiefs at the top and slaves occupying the botton rung. Through good service or deeds one was able to rise (or drop) through the system in a limited fashion.
Women were highly respected within Haida society and their advice was often sought although they seldom held the title of Chief.
Rivalry existed within the Haida Nation but primarily the aggression of the Haida was focussed on First Nations on the BC mainland and Vancouver Island.
Today, due to the pressures of disease, religion and government the only occupied Haida villages on Haida Gwaii are Skidegate and Old Massett. Both these communnities have a similar system of elected governance with other municipalities within British Columbia, albeit with larger responsibilities.
The Haida Nation's governement relations are conducted with the Province of British Columba and the Government of Canada by the Council of the Haida Nation an elected body of the general population designed to represent the interests of the herediatry chiefs.
With no treaties signed with the Haida Nation, title of Haida Gwaii remains unresolved and recent court challenges have forced the governments of Canada and British Columbia to seriously negotiate with the Haida Nation. The Haida Nation has currently suspended its court challenge for title in favour of entering into the BC Treaty Process after several wins supporting their title were had at the Supreme Court of Canada.
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