Haida Gwaii facts for kids
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Nickname: "Queen Charlottes"
"The Charlottes" |
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Map of Haida Gwaii
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| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 53°N 132°W / 53°N 132°W |
| Total islands | c. 150 |
| Major islands | Graham Island, Moresby Island |
| Area | 10,180 km2 (3,930 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,164 m (3,819 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Moresby |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Largest settlement | Village of Queen Charlotte (pop. 948) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 4,761 (2008) |
| Pop. density | 0.468 /km2 (1.212 /sq mi) |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
Haida Gwaii (Haida: X̱aaydag̱a Gwaay.yaay / X̱aayda gwaay) is a group of islands off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada. Its name means "Islands of the Haida people". The islands are about 55 to 125 kilometers (34 to 78 miles) from the mainland.
A shallow body of water called Hecate Strait separates the islands from the mainland to the east. To the south is Queen Charlotte Sound, and further south is Vancouver Island. To the north, the Dixon Entrance separates Haida Gwaii from islands in Alaska, USA.
Haida Gwaii has two main islands: Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south. There are also about 400 smaller islands. The total land area is about 10,180 square kilometers (3,930 square miles). Other important islands include Anthony Island, Burnaby Island, and Kunghit Island.
These islands are part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. From 1787 until 2010, they were known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. In 2010, the Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act officially changed the name to Haida Gwaii. This was done to recognize the Haida people and their history.
The islands are the homeland of the Haida Nation. People have lived here for 13,000 years. Today, about half of the population is Haida. The Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) is their government. They work to protect Haida culture and lands.
Some of the islands are protected as Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. This park is in the southern part of Moresby Island and nearby smaller islands. It has beautiful coastal rainforests and mountains. You can visit by boat or seaplane. There are also several provincial parks, like Naikoon Provincial Park on Graham Island.
The islands are home to many animals. This includes the largest type of black bear and the smallest type of stoat. Some animals like deer and raccoons were brought here by people.
Contents
Getting Around Haida Gwaii
There is no public transportation on Haida Gwaii. You can find taxis and car rentals. Shuttles can also be arranged to help you travel.
The main ways to get to and from the islands are through the Sandspit Airport and the Masset Airport. You can also take a BC Ferries boat from Skidegate to Prince Rupert on the mainland. It is a good idea to book ferry tickets in advance.
There is also a ferry service between Skidegate on Graham Island and Alliford Bay on Moresby Island. Small floatplanes can also take you to places like the Alliford Bay Water Aerodrome.
Graham Island has about 120 kilometers (75 miles) of highway. Moresby Island has only about 20 kilometers (12 miles) of paved road along its coast.
Economy and Jobs
The economy of Haida Gwaii is a mix of different things. People work in art and natural resources like logging and commercial fishing. Many jobs are also in service industries and government.
Tourism has become more important in recent years. Visitors come for fishing, cycling, camping, and other adventures. The Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Ilnygaay helps visitors learn about Haida culture.
Education and Learning
Public schools on Haida Gwaii are part of School District 50 Haida Gwaii. They have elementary and secondary schools in Masset, Port Clements, Queen Charlotte, Sandspit, and Skidegate.
For higher education, programs are offered at the Haida Heritage Centre. These programs are in partnership with Coast Mountain College and the University of Northern British Columbia.
Health Care Services
Northern Health provides health services on Haida Gwaii. This is the health authority for the northern part of British Columbia.
There are two hospitals on the islands. The Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre is in Masset. The Haida Gwaii Hospital in Queen Charlotte was finished in 2015.
Haida Gwaii also has four ambulance stations. About 36 emergency medical responders work there.
Population Changes Over Time
When Europeans first arrived in 1774, about 30,000 people lived on Haida Gwaii. Sadly, many people died in the 1800s from diseases like smallpox, typhoid, and measles. The 1862 Pacific Northwest smallpox epidemic alone killed over 70% of the Haida people.
By 1900, only about 350 Haida people remained. Many towns were left empty as people moved to Skidegate and Masset. Today, about 4,500 people live on the islands. About 70% of the Haida people live in two communities: Skidegate and Old Massett. Each has about 700 residents. Overall, Haida people make up 45% of the islands' population.
Anthony Island and the Ninstints Haida village site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. This site shows the history of the Haida people.
History of Haida Gwaii
Scientists believe Haida Gwaii might have been a path for the first humans coming to the Americas. This was after the last ice age. At that time, Haida Gwaii was likely connected to Vancouver Island and the mainland.
Archaeological sites show that people have lived on the islands for at least 13,000 years. It is not clear how they arrived. Some Haida stories say they came from northern Alaska looking for new lands.
Underwater archaeologists found stone structures on the seabed in 2014. These might be 13,700 years old or more. They could be the earliest signs of human life in Canada.
Life Before Europeans Arrived
The people living on these islands developed a rich culture. This was thanks to the many resources from the land and sea. These people became the Haida. The Haida have their own language. They also have a complex social system with two main groups: the Eagles and the Ravens.
Haida people married between these groups. This helped keep their nation strong and diverse. It was also important for sharing wealth. Each group relied on the other to build longhouses and carve totem poles.
The Haida were skilled sailors and lived in over 100 villages. They were also good traders. They traded with other First Nations groups from the mainland all the way to California.
European Contact and Changes
Europeans first saw the islands in 1774. This was by Juan Pérez. In 1778, James Cook also saw them. In 1794, the Haida captured two European ships and killed most of their crew. In 1851, the Haida captured another ship carrying gold miners. They held the crew for ransom.
The islands were important during the fur trade in the late 1700s and early 1800s. American traders mostly controlled this trade. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty made the islands part of Canada.
After gold was found in the 1850s, the British created the Colony of the Queen Charlotte Islands. This was to protect their claims. This colony was managed with the Colony of Vancouver Island. Later, in 1866, it became part of the larger Colony of British Columbia.
Naming the Islands
In 1787, Captain George Dixon explored the islands. He named them the Queen Charlotte Islands. This was after his ship, the Queen Charlotte. His ship was named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III.
American traders sometimes called them "Washington's Isles." But after the 1846 Oregon Treaty, "Queen Charlotte Islands" became the official name.
On December 11, 2009, the British Columbia government announced a plan to officially rename the islands. On June 3, 2010, the name was formally changed to "Haida Gwaii." This change was recognized by all levels of Canadian government. The name Haida Gwaii was created in the early 1980s. It means "islands of the people." The word Haida means "us" or "people."
An older Haida name is Xaadala Gwayee. This means "islands at the boundary of the world." Here, "worlds" refers to the sea and sky.
Environment and Wildlife
| Haida Gwaii forests | |
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Western hemlock forest on Moresby Island
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Haida Gwaii forests ecoregion in Canada
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| Ecology | |
| Realm | Nearctic |
| Biome | Temperate coniferous forest |
| Borders | British Columbia mainland coastal forests and Northern Pacific coastal forests |
| Bird species | 143 |
| Mammal species | 3 |
| Geography | |
| Area | 10,101 km2 (3,900 sq mi) |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Climate type | Oceanic |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Habitat loss | 0% |
| Protected | 20.7% |
Research suggests that around 55,000 BCE, Haida Gwaii was covered in tundra and meadows. Grazing animals like caribou and mammoths lived there. Scientists found evidence of dung-eating fungi in ancient soil. This shows these animals were present. The landscape later changed to a mix of forests and meadows.
The last ice age ended on the islands about 16,000 BCE. This was earlier than other parts of the British Columbia coast. This early melting and the islands' isolation led to unique plants and animals. People sometimes call Haida Gwaii the "Galápagos of the North."
The climate here is mild and rainy all year. This is because of the North Pacific Current. The islands have a wide variety of large trees. These include the Sitka spruce, western red cedar, and yellow cedar.
Soils on the islands vary. Peat is common in wet, flat areas. In well-drained areas, the soil is called podzols.
A special tree called Kiidk'yaas (Golden Spruce) used to grow near the Yakoun River. It was a rare yellow-colored Sitka spruce. It was a popular tourist spot until it was cut down in 1997. This was done as a protest against logging.
From 1996 to 1997, a rare white raven lived near Port Clements. It was a popular attraction. Sadly, it died after touching an electrical transformer. The white raven is now on display at the Port Clements Historical Society's museum.
Climate and Weather
The climate of Haida Gwaii is oceanic. This means it has mild temperatures and a lot of rain throughout the year. It is similar to the west coast of Scotland.
In areas like Tlell and Sandspit, the average yearly rainfall is about 1,200 to 1,400 millimeters (47 to 55 inches). Most rain falls from October to January. December is the wettest month, with about 198 millimeters (7.8 inches) of rain. May to July are drier, with July being the driest month.
Snowfall is usually light, from 10 to 70 centimeters (4 to 28 inches). However, on Langara Island to the north, it can average around 100 centimeters (39 inches).
It rains very often, especially from autumn to mid-winter. It rains on about two-thirds of all days. Direct sunlight is not very common, averaging about 3 to 4 hours per day.
| Climate data for Sandspit Airport | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 13.9 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 17.9 | 23.2 | 28.5 | 30.9 | 30.3 | 27.4 | 24.5 | 17.9 | 15.0 | 30.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.4 (54.3) |
13.4 (56.1) |
13.9 (57.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
21.7 (71.1) |
26.7 (80.1) |
27.8 (82.0) |
26.7 (80.1) |
24.1 (75.4) |
20.6 (69.1) |
16.3 (61.3) |
13.4 (56.1) |
27.8 (82.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.4 (43.5) |
6.7 (44.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
9.7 (49.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.3 (63.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.2 (54.0) |
8.4 (47.1) |
6.7 (44.1) |
11.4 (52.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.0 (39.2) |
4.1 (39.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
6.6 (43.9) |
9.4 (48.9) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.5 (58.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
13.2 (55.8) |
9.4 (48.9) |
5.7 (42.3) |
4.2 (39.6) |
8.6 (47.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.6 (34.9) |
1.5 (34.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
3.4 (38.1) |
6.4 (43.5) |
9.3 (48.7) |
11.6 (52.9) |
12.2 (54.0) |
10.2 (50.4) |
6.6 (43.9) |
3.0 (37.4) |
1.7 (35.1) |
5.8 (42.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −13.9 (7.0) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
2.2 (36.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
−15.5 (4.1) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−15.5 (4.1) |
| Record low wind chill | −22.9 | −24.1 | −22.9 | −10.8 | −3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | −10.7 | −26.0 | −20.8 | −26.0 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 190.7 (7.51) |
130.8 (5.15) |
116.8 (4.60) |
97.7 (3.85) |
66.4 (2.61) |
51.7 (2.04) |
48.1 (1.89) |
62.2 (2.45) |
83.5 (3.29) |
169.5 (6.67) |
193.8 (7.63) |
196.2 (7.72) |
1,407.5 (55.41) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 178.4 (7.02) |
120.8 (4.76) |
112.0 (4.41) |
96.6 (3.80) |
66.4 (2.61) |
51.7 (2.04) |
48.2 (1.90) |
62.3 (2.45) |
83.5 (3.29) |
169.5 (6.67) |
191.8 (7.55) |
190.0 (7.48) |
1,371.2 (53.98) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 12.7 (5.0) |
9.9 (3.9) |
5.2 (2.0) |
1.0 (0.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
3.0 (1.2) |
6.0 (2.4) |
37.9 (14.9) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 23.3 | 19.2 | 21.5 | 19.9 | 17.7 | 15.8 | 14.9 | 14.8 | 17.3 | 22.8 | 24.0 | 23.8 | 234.9 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 21.8 | 17.8 | 20.9 | 19.8 | 17.7 | 15.8 | 14.9 | 14.9 | 17.3 | 22.8 | 23.3 | 22.7 | 229.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 13.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84.4 | 80.1 | 77.1 | 76.4 | 76.0 | 77.1 | 76.1 | 76.1 | 76.3 | 78.5 | 81.6 | 84.6 | 78.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 41.9 | 77.2 | 115.9 | 157.7 | 194.0 | 183.8 | 195.9 | 187.7 | 137.9 | 98.0 | 58.4 | 44.8 | 1,493.1 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 16.6 | 28.0 | 31.6 | 37.7 | 39.5 | 36.3 | 38.5 | 41.0 | 36.1 | 29.8 | 22.3 | 18.9 | 31.4 |
| Source: 1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals | |||||||||||||
Earthquake Risks
The islands are located along the Queen Charlotte Fault. This is an active fault line that causes earthquakes. Earthquakes happen here every 3 to 30 years. This is because the Pacific and North American plates are moving against each other.
Major earthquakes happened in Haida Gwaii in 1949 and 2012. There is not much equipment to warn people about possible threats. Many residents wish for better warning systems. They often rely on information from nearby US states.
The Cascadia subduction zone also creates earthquake risks. More importantly, this zone can cause tsunamis. These tsunamis could directly affect coastal towns on the western side of the islands.
Haida Culture
Visual Arts
The famous artwork called Spirit of Haida Gwaii was created by Bill Reid. This sculpture shows a Haida chief in a canoe with mythical animals. One version is in the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC. Another is at the Vancouver Airport.
Haida art is also seen on large totem poles made from cedar. They also make hand-crafted gold and silver jewelry. Some artists even create Haida-style cartoons called Haida manga.
Haida Language
The Haida language is unique. Some linguists think it might be related to other languages like Athabaskan. However, many others believe it is a language isolate, meaning it's not clearly related to any other language family.
Only about 50 people still speak Haida. All of them are over 70 years old. A project brought high-speed internet to the island. This helps people study the language and stories.
See also
In Spanish: Haida Gwaii para niños
