Itinerary and Pricing Small-Ship Expedition Cruise
Haida Gwaii

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Marine Wildlife

Because the islands lie on the edge of the continental shelf, a particularly robust plankton base bolsters the food chain. This plankton forms a rich feeding area for all manner of wildlife—particularly whales. Historically, blue, sperm, minke, fin, humpback, and orca whales have all called Haida Gwaii home.

Though whaling in the early twentieth century devastated their populations, humpback and fin whales are now on the rebound and are regularly spotted. Harbour seals and Steller sea lions congregate in large communities on shore and ply the waters for fish.

Land Animals

The Haida Gwaii black bear is the largest in the world. In isolation from their mainland brethren, these bears developed a larger lower jaw to aid in shoreline foraging. Both black-tailed deer and raccoons have flourished on the island—problematically.

Both species were introduced to the region, and without natural predators their ecological impact is becoming more pronounced each year. Bird colonies are at risk from the racoons and the local cedar forests—a foundation of Haida culture—are suffering from the over-browsing of the deer.

Haida Culture

The Haida name for the southern islands is Gwaii Haanas, which aptly translates to “islands of beauty” or “place of wonder”.

Most Haida objects are decorated with crests—the figures of animals, birds, sea creatures, and mythic beings. These crests are used to identify the moiety and often the lineage of their owners. The precise arrangement and interaction of various crests and recurring motifs act as a personal signifier, and much can be gleaned from an individual’s totem. The true “text” of a single totem pole is impossible to read without a thorough knowledge of the mythology involved. Although the Haida have almost seventy crest figures, less than twenty are in general use. The orca whale in particular endures as a symbol of power, intelligence, cunning, and skill.

Permanent Haida villages consisted of one (or more) rows of houses along a beach. Generally, the house belonging to the town chief was larger and located near the centre of the settlement. According to myth, the house was one of the main contributions that Raven made to Haida life (after stealing the idea from Beaver). These houses formed the centre of Haida social, political, and economic life. They were built out of western red cedar with a framework of corner posts and massive structural beams.

Like their traditional houses, Haida canoes are hewn from red cedar—they are exquisite craft and are widely praised. Like their totems, houses, and tools, these craft are often intricately adorned with crests, symbols, and motifs to identify their owners and their stories.