Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Aboriginal Experiences
Ancient Haida totems, Tourism BC/Tom Ryan photo
The Haida people of the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii are welcoming and happy to share their culture with others. Experiencing Haida culture, with its rich history and strong modern community, is a large part of the Haida Gwaii experience.
Evidence of the community's pride, talent, and beauty is everywhere on the islands – in the form of buildings, artwork, etiquette and everyday items, and behaviour.
Many local companies offer day, multi-day or custom tours of the islands that take in various Aboriginal sites on the island, and explain their historical and/or modern day importance.
One of the most significant Aboriginal sites to visit on Haida Gwaii is SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage site that features one of the last authentic examples of a west coast First Nations village. The village still has totem poles standing where they were first erected hundreds of years ago.
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The ancient Haida village site is located in Gwaii Haanas, a national park reserve and Haida Protected Area that encompasses the lower half of the Queen Charlotte Islands. For more information about getting here contact the Gwaii Haanas head office in Skidegate, located at the Haida Heritage Centre. Note that access is by boat or plane only, so travel there can be relatively pricey.
Old Massett
Old Massett in the north and Skidegate in the south are the two Haida communities on the islands. After many of the Haida died of disease, approximately 700 Haida congregated and settled in these two sites.
Haida Heritage Centre
Skidegate is now the home of the incredible Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay, a must-see for any visitor to Haida Gwaii. The Centre is a magnificent building, set on a rocky beach, with multiple sections and totem poles. It includes a museum, gift shop, carving shed, performance space, restaurant, and meeting rooms for local community organizations. The museum holds incredible artifacts depicting Haida culture and history, as well as interactive displays about the islands' flora, fauna and ocean life. The Centre also offers daily tours on varying topics for a small fee.
Stop by the Sandspit Visitor Centre or the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre for more information about the area's Aboriginal culture and history.
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2 Second Beach Rd
Skidegate, British Columbia
V0T 1S1
The Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay in Skidegate on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), opened in July, 2007. The Centre, located at the site of the old Haida seaside village of Kaay Llnagaay, or "Sea Lion Town", showcases the living culture of the Haida, dating back over 12,000 years. Six monumental cedar totem poles carved by Haida artists stand in front of the Haida longhouses, which are connected by interior walkways & atrium space. The Centre incorporates the Haida Gwaii Museum, a gift shop, canoe house, carving shed, performing house, the Bill Reid Teaching Centre & a cafe.
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Daily Tours in Summer Season
Daily Tours including Canoe, Pole, Weaving & Outbound Canoe offered June-August. Cost included in admission fee.
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Other businesses with Aboriginal Experiences
We offer multi-day cruises through Haida Gwaii's (Queen Charlotte Islands) Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Northern Vancouver Island, Great Bear Rainforest, North Coast/Khutzeymateen and SE Alaska. Our 68' vessels provide the perfect base from which to tour remote coastlines. On these first rate 'learning journeys', we expect to see whales, birds, bears, rich intertidal zones and a great number of birds. With our Native Guides, we visit ancient villages with totem poles and hope to catch a glimpse of the Spirit Bear! Our professional crew, including an on-board Naturalist, will take you to places few have ever been. All aboard!
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