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Haida Copper Shield

The 'Haida are the Indigenous Peoples of the west coast of North America. The Haida Nation territories comprise an archipelago called Haida Gwaii and now also known by its colonial name the Queen Charlotte Islands, and parts of south east Alaska. Although well known as artists of wood metal and design, Haidas can perhaps claim their greatest fame as persistent and effective protectors of their lands and waters against the efforts of non Haida corporations and Governments intent on removing the last remnants of island forests. These forests are known to be pre glacial and are believed to be almost 14,000 years old. Haida communities located in [Prince of Wales Island]], Alaska also share a common border with other Indigenous Peoples the Tlingit and the Cape Fox tribes of the Tsminshian.

Although Haida societal structural is a living process its roots in the ancient Potlatch system remain recognizable in contemporary political, economic and legal functions. The Council of the Haida Nation is the governing body of all Haida citizens and is defined in a Constitution not referenced in either the Canadian or American legislation or practices. This free Constitution defines a House of Assembly that functions as the highest law making structure and directs the activities of a Council consisting of 12 Representatives all elected to two year terms of Office. At a more municipal level are Village Councils. On that portion of Haida territory claimed by Canada the two communities of Massett and Skidegate have Band Councils which experience varying degrees of influence and control by Canada's federal government. The persistence of Haida government can be seen in that the influence of the Band Councils, in so far as they may be seen as agents of Canadian government authority, are regulated by a community governance system of Matriarchs and Lineage authorities.

Haidas are frequently referred to as fearsome warriors. Once a slave based economy Haidas traveled and captured as far away as California. Haida oral narratives also record journeys as far north as the Bering Sea and one account raises a reasonable possibility that Asia was also visited by Haidas before Europeans entered the Pacific. The Haida ability to travel was dependent upon a supply of ancient cedar trees which they carved into their famous Pacific Northwest Canoes. Carved from a single cedar tree, a vessel could sleep 15 adults head to toe and was propelled by up to 60 paddlers (which often included women). In the event of a battle at sea, paddlers were armed with heavy stone rings (18 to 23 kg) attached to woven tree root or bark ropes. These devices when thrown at enemy canoes inflicted substantial damage. Haida warriors entered battle with cedar armor, wooden shields, stone maces and atlatl's. War helmets were elaborately carved and armor was made or reinforced with metal, stone or bone copper.

Like all Indigenous Peoples of the north east coast of the Pacific Haida make extensive use of Red Cedar bark, which is still used as both a textile for clothing, ropes and sails, and in its more raw form, as a building material or even armor. Most goods were fashioned from the wood of the Western Redcedar, Nootka Cypress, Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce. Highly prized plant bark and root weavers still create an array of clothing including hats and containers. The ancient Naahinn form of weaving, also called Chilkat continues although commercial produced wool is used instead of mountain goat.

In ancient times valuable items were also fashioned from copper. Haida culture places high value on a sophisicated and abstracted iconic art form. Although most impressively expressed in large Monumental totem poles this highly disciplines design is applied to a wide range of materials including the human body through tattooing. The diveristy of Haida design can be seen in its expression as Haida Manga.

The Haida theory of social structure is based on moiety lineages. That is the society is divided into two groupings one called Raven and the other Eagle, There are a variety of sub-groups that fall into either of the moieties. The moieties and their sub groups of Clans or matrilineal lineages own unique combinations of crests and other intellectual properties such as songs and names.

Although much reduced by commercial activities the natural abundance of forest and sea in the Haida archipelagos remains an essential aspect of contemporary Haida culture. The Council of the Haida Nation continues to pursue an unusually effective policy of rescuing natural lands and waters and is co managing along with Canada, the wild and diverse islands of the Gwaiihaanaas Haida Heritage Site also reserved for National park status with the Canadian Park system.

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 [[Image: Coppershield.jpg|thumb|Haida Copper Shield]]
-One of the [[First Nations]] of [[Canada]], the '''Haida''' live on islands off the west coast of [[North America]]. The Haidas were fishermen and artists. The homeland was [[Haida Gwaii]], which is now more commonly called the [[Queen Charlotte Islands]]. Some moved north in prehistoric times, across what is now the border of [[Alaska]] and the United States, taking over little-used lands from the [[Tlingit]]. These people are called the Kaigani Haida and live mostly on and around [[Prince of Wales Island, Alaska|Prince of Wales Island]].
+The '''Haida'' are the Indigenous Peoples of the west coast of North America. The Haida Nation territories comprise an archipelago called [[Haida Gwaii]] and now also known by its colonial name the [[Queen Charlotte Islands]], and parts of south east Alaska. Although well known as artists of wood metal and design, Haidas can perhaps claim their greatest fame as persistent and effective protectors of their lands and waters against the efforts of non Haida  corporations and Governments intent on removing the last remnants of island forests. These forests are known to be pre glacial and are believed to be almost 14,000 years old. Haida communities located in [Prince of Wales Island]], Alaska also share a common border with other Indigenous Peoples the [[Tlingit]] and the Cape Fox tribes of the [[Tsminshian]].
+Although Haida societal structural is a living process its roots in the ancient [[Potlatch]] system remain recognizable in contemporary political, economic and legal functions. The [[Council of the Haida Nation]] is the governing body of all Haida citizens and is defined in a Constitution not referenced in either the Canadian or American legislation or practices. This free Constitution defines a [[House of Assembly]] that functions as the highest law making structure and directs the activities of a Council consisting of 12 Representatives all elected to two year terms of Office. At a more municipal level are Village Councils. On that portion of Haida territory claimed by Canada the two communities of Massett and Skidegate have [[Band Councils]] which experience varying degrees of influence and control by Canada's federal government. The persistence of Haida government can be seen in that the influence of the Band Councils, in so far as they may be seen as agents of Canadian government authority, are regulated by a community governance system of Matriarchs and Lineage authorities.
-The Haida were fearsome warriors, who terrorized the coast as far south as the [[Fraser River]].  The Haida arsenal of weaponry was centered around their famous [[Pacific Northwest Canoes|war canoes]].  Carved from a single cedar tree, it held up to 60 warriors (which often included women) and a priest to capture and destroy the souls of their enemies.  In battles upon the sea, the Haida hurled heavy stone rings (18 to 23 kg) attached to cedar bark ropes called canoe breakers, which could smash enemy canoes and bodies alike.  Regular Haida warriors entered battle with cedar armor, wooden shields, stone maces and [[atlatl]]'s, though more wealthy warriors entered the fray with shields, weapons and armor made or reinforced with copper.
+Haidas are frequently referred to as fearsome warriors. Once a slave based economy Haidas traveled and captured as far away as [[California]]. Haida oral narratives also record journeys as far north as the Bering Sea and one account raises a reasonable possibility that Asia was also visited by Haidas before Europeans entered the Pacific.  The Haida ability to travel was dependent upon a supply of ancient cedar trees  which they carved into their famous [[Pacific Northwest Canoes]].  Carved from a single cedar tree, a vessel could sleep 15 adults head to toe and was propelled by up to 60 paddlers (which often included women). In the event of a battle at sea,  paddlers were armed with heavy stone rings (18 to 23 kg) attached to woven tree root or  bark ropes. These devices when thrown at enemy canoes inflicted substantial damage.  Haida warriors entered battle with cedar armor, wooden shields, stone maces and [[atlatl]]'s. War helmets were elaborately carved and armor was made or reinforced with metal, stone or bone copper.
-Copper, artworks and slaves were the symbols and realities of wealth, and the Haida pursued these vigorously.  The range and frequency of their raids produced a situation not unlike Europe's situation with the Vikings.  The [[Tsimshian]] around the [[Skeena river]] invented a smoke signalling system to alert every village in the area that Haida raiders were near.
-Like all northwest coast peoples, the Haida made extensive use of [[Western Redcedar|Red Cedar]] bark, which could be used as both a [[cedar bark textile|textile]] for [[clothing]], [[ropes]] and [[sails]], and in its more raw form, as a building material or even [[armor]].  Most goods were fashioned from the wood of the [[Western Redcedar]], [[Nootka Cypress]], [[Tsuga|Western Hemlock]] and [[Sitka Spruce]], with more valuable items fashined from copper and seashells. While most Haida made art, the grandest pieces were made by gifted artists who were well compensated for their work. The carving and painting followed sophisticated rules of design. [[Bill Holm]] has made a scholarly analysis of [[formline]] design.
+Like all Indigenous Peoples of the north east coast of the Pacific Haida make extensive use of [[Western Redcedar|Red Cedar]] bark, which is still used as both a [[cedar bark textile|textile]] for [[clothing]], [[ropes]] and [[sails]], and in its more raw form, as a building material or even [[armor]].  Most goods were fashioned from the wood of the [[Western Redcedar]], [[Nootka Cypress]], [[Tsuga|Western Hemlock]] and [[Sitka Spruce]]. Highly prized plant bark and root weavers still create an array of clothing including hats and containers. The ancient Naahinn form of weaving, also called [[Chilkat]] continues although commercial produced wool is used instead of mountain goat.
+In ancient times valuable items were also fashioned from copper. Haida culture places high value on a sophisicated and abstracted iconic art form. Although most impressively expressed in large Monumental totem poles this highly disciplines design is applied to a wide range of materials including the human body through tattooing. The diveristy of Haida design can be seen in its expression as [[Haida Manga]].
-[[Image: Haida Totem pole Face.jpg|thumb|Detail of Totem Pole figure]]
-The Haida had a social structure based on which moiety (combination clan and chaste) one belonged to.  The main moieties were Raven and Eagle, though there were a variety of sub-moieties (like Frog or Killer Whale) which were attached to one of the main moieties.  Your moiety determined who you could marry, your social rank, and your place in important ceremonies.
+The Haida theory of social structure is based on moiety lineages. That is the society is divided into two groupings one called Raven and the other Eagle, There are a variety of sub-groups that fall into either of the moieties. The moieties and their sub groups of Clans or matrilineal lineages own unique combinations of crests and other intellectual properties such as songs and names.
+Although much reduced by commercial activities the natural abundance of forest and sea in the Haida archipelagos remains an essential aspect of contemporary Haida culture. The Council of the Haida Nation continues to pursue an unusually effective policy of rescuing natural lands and waters and is co managing along with Canada, the wild and diverse islands of the [[Gwaiihaanaas]] Haida Heritage Site also reserved for National park status with the Canadian Park system.
-Because of the natural wealth and ease of existence on the Queen Charlottes Islands, and a plentiful supply of [[slave]] labor, the Haida had the opportunity to become master artisans and devote a great amount of time and energy to their [[religion]].  The central theme of this religion is that the great spirit, “Ne-kilst-Lass” created the world. This spirit takes on the form of a Raven. The Raven is responsible for creating the world. He stole the sun from a box in which it was hidden and created the moon and stars from it. He drew light and order from black chaos, and released the first humans from a clamshell where they were hidden. The Raven organized people into the moety system, and gave them the gift of ceremonies, language, and culture.  Though the Raven does much good for the Haida, he is also a trickster who could bring evil and confusion to people. The Raven acts like a guide for the Haida and helps to remind them of mistakes that one can make. The Haida culture uses the Raven for advice, help, and comfort.
-Many spirits that inhabit all living things protect the Haida. Some of these spirits live in animals while the others inhabit nature.  An important ritual in the Haida culture is to thank the salmon for returning ro the stream each spring and providing humans with food.
-The people used a ceremony called [[potlatch]] to mark important life events and to gain prestige and importance in their community.  It was not uncommon for a man of means to give away virtually his entire fortune of copper, artworks and slaves for the enormous prestige this action would gain. A capable man was much admired for being willing to offer a feast, give away much wealth, and then start again to accumulate wealth. For some decades, the potlatch was opposed by the Anglo-European missionaries and lawmen, but today the people can potlatch legally (see [[gift economy]]).
-One of the Haida's sacred symbols is [[Kiidk'yaas]], a Sitka Spruce tree with a rare mutation causing its needles to be golden in colour. The tree stood on the [[Yakoun River]] in Haida Gwaii until it was surreptitiously cut down in [[1997]], causing great consternation in the Haida community. However, twenty years previous, cuttings had been taken from the tree for the [[University of British Columbia]] arboretum, and the University donated one of the resulting trees to the Haida. Parts of the original felled Kiidk'yaas were also replanted.