Skedans facts for kids
Skedans is a historic village located in a beautiful part of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. This special place is also known by many traditional names in the Haida language, such as Koona, Q'una, and Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay. It sits at the very end of a body of water called Cumshewa Inlet.
The name "Skedans" comes from a time when European traders, involved in the maritime fur trade, would name villages after their most important leaders. The village was named after its powerful chief, who was often called Chief Skedans.
What is Skedans?
Skedans is a very old and important village of the Haida people. The Haida are an Indigenous group who have lived on Haida Gwaii for thousands of years. The village is located on a small piece of land that sticks out into the water, almost like a tiny island. This is why one of its Haida names, Koona Llnaagay, means "Village at the Edge."
Different Names for Skedans
The Haida people have several names for this village, each with a special meaning:
- Koona or Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay: This means "Village at the Edge," describing its location on a small peninsula.
- Gida'nsta: This is the Haida word that "Skedans" comes from. It's a respectful term meaning "from his daughter." Children used this term to address the village's chief, Qa'gials qe'gawa-i, who became known as Chief Skedans.
- Huadju-lanas or Xu'adji la'nas: This name means "Grizzly-Bear-Town." It got this name because many of the village's amazing totem poles and artworks featured images of grizzly bears.
A Protected Heritage Site
Today, the Skedans village site is a very important place. It is part of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. This means it is protected both as a national park and as a place of great cultural importance to the Haida people. It is also recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, highlighting its significance in Canadian history.
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