Monumental Art Tradition
The Haida are indigenous peoples of Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia and Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. Known as among the most accomplished artists and mariners of the Pacific Northwest, the Haida created monumental art including towering totem poles, ocean-going canoes capable of traveling hundreds of miles, and intricate argillite carvings. The Haida achieved international recognition for environmental advocacy, successfully protecting Gwaii Haanas from logging in the 1980s.
Ocean-Going War Canoes
Haida war canoes were so large and seaworthy they could hold 60 warriors and travel hundreds of miles across open ocean! These massive dugout canoes, carved from single cedar trees, enabled Haida warriors to raid settlements as far south as Puget Sound. When European explorers arrived, they marveled at Haida seamanship and the size and beauty of Haida canoes—among the largest dugout canoes ever created!
Protecting Gwaii Haanas: In 1985, Haida protesters blockaded logging on Lyell Island, leading to creation of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site—a landmark co-management agreement. This environmental victory brought international attention to Haida sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
This page celebrates the Haida—master carvers whose totem poles reach toward the sky, ocean navigators whose canoes conquered Pacific waters, and environmental leaders protecting sacred lands for future generations.
Image Gallery
Explore visual documentation of culture, traditions, and daily life through these carefully curated images from Wikimedia Commons.
Monumental Haida totem poles featuring intricate formline carvings representing clan crests, histories, and supernatural beings
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida Gwaii (Islands of the People), the ancestral homeland of the Haida featuring temperate rainforest and rich marine resources
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida ocean-going canoe carved from single cedar tree, capable of holding 60 people and traveling hundreds of miles across open ocean
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Haida argillite (black slate) carving, an art form developed in the 1800s creating intricate miniature sculptures and platters
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida longhouse with carved and painted frontal pole displaying clan crests, housing extended matrilineal family
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida spruce root basket woven so tightly it can hold water, demonstrating extraordinary weaving skill
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)Image Gallery
Explore visual documentation of culture, traditions, and daily life through these carefully curated images from Wikimedia Commons.
Monumental Haida totem poles featuring intricate formline carvings representing clan crests, histories, and supernatural beings
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida Gwaii (Islands of the People), the ancestral homeland of the Haida featuring temperate rainforest and rich marine resources
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida ocean-going canoe carved from single cedar tree, capable of holding 60 people and traveling hundreds of miles across open ocean
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Haida argillite (black slate) carving, an art form developed in the 1800s creating intricate miniature sculptures and platters
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida longhouse with carved and painted frontal pole displaying clan crests, housing extended matrilineal family
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida spruce root basket woven so tightly it can hold water, demonstrating extraordinary weaving skill
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)Image Gallery
Explore visual documentation of culture, traditions, and daily life through these carefully curated images from Wikimedia Commons.
Monumental Haida totem poles featuring intricate formline carvings representing clan crests, histories, and supernatural beings
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida Gwaii (Islands of the People), the ancestral homeland of the Haida featuring temperate rainforest and rich marine resources
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida ocean-going canoe carved from single cedar tree, capable of holding 60 people and traveling hundreds of miles across open ocean
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Haida argillite (black slate) carving, an art form developed in the 1800s creating intricate miniature sculptures and platters
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida longhouse with carved and painted frontal pole displaying clan crests, housing extended matrilineal family
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida spruce root basket woven so tightly it can hold water, demonstrating extraordinary weaving skill
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)Image Gallery
Explore visual documentation of culture, traditions, and daily life through these carefully curated images from Wikimedia Commons.
Monumental Haida totem poles featuring intricate formline carvings representing clan crests, histories, and supernatural beings
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida Gwaii (Islands of the People), the ancestral homeland of the Haida featuring temperate rainforest and rich marine resources
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida ocean-going canoe carved from single cedar tree, capable of holding 60 people and traveling hundreds of miles across open ocean
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Haida argillite (black slate) carving, an art form developed in the 1800s creating intricate miniature sculptures and platters
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Haida longhouse with carved and painted frontal pole displaying clan crests, housing extended matrilineal family
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Haida spruce root basket woven so tightly it can hold water, demonstrating extraordinary weaving skill
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)