About Our People
History since the beginning of time
Xaayda • Xaadée Haida citizens have occupied the lands and seas around Xaayda Gwaay.yaay Haida Gwaii since the beginning of time. Here, Xaayda • Xaadée families, culture, and art have flourished for tens of thousands of years. Before contact with early explorers and settlers, there were at least 10,000 people living in villages from the northern edges to the southern tip of this rugged archipelago.
Historically and still today, our people are fortunate and wealthy. The land and waters surrounding us offer sustenance and prosperity. Trade relationships with neighbouring Indigenous communities were critical to survival and continue to be an important part of life among coastal nations. Traditionally, prosperity and status were not measured by the accumulation of goods, but rather by the distribution of wealth. Throughout the harvesting season, families worked together to gather food and goods. During the scarce winter months, Xaayda • Xaadée families would host potlatches to redistribute their wealth. This generosity and sharing remains a prominent part of life on Xaayda Gwaay.yaay.
Xaayda • Xaadée traditional territory encompasses parts of southern Alaska, the archipelago of Haida Gwaii and its surrounding waters. Citizens reside throughout the islands but are concentrated in two main centres, Gaw TlagÉe Old Massett at the north end of Graham Island and HlGaagilda Skidegate at the south end. Besides these two communities there are many 2000 more Haida scattered throughout the world.
The Islands of the People
In the 18th century, early explorers started to call Haida Gwaii the “Queen Charlotte Islands.” In 2010, Islanders, local governments, and the provincial government joined in a ceremony as the Haida Nation returned the colonial name “Queen Charlotte Islands” and reinstated the traditional name, Haida Gwaii. Haida translates to “people” and Gwaii means “Islands”
Today’s Population
The Islands’ population today is 4,200, about half of which are of Xaayda • Xaadée Haida ancestry. The economy on Haida Gwaii is mixed. Islanders are business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists. The service industry and government jobs are important, and so too is employment in natural resource sectors, mainly fishing and logging. Island residents continue to thrive with an abundance of natural resources. Wild salmon, halibut, clams, scallops, seaweed, and berries, among many more culturally important staples are continually harvested from the land and sea. These resources help to sustain our local people and contribute to healthy communities and lasting economies.