Haida Gwaii - meaning 'Islands of the People' ... formerly
known as Queen Charlotte Islands (1744 - 1818 [George III's wife]) and
sometimes referred to as Galapagos North ... or The Edge of the World.
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| Haida Gwaii islands north of Vancouver Island |
However its history is likely to be tied in with my B for
Beringia ... when it is thought that the islands were part of the vast steppe
grassland making up the land bridge connecting the Asian and American continents ...
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| Map of the Islands |
... it is unclear how Haida Gwaii was populated, but archaeological
sites have established human habitation as far back as 13,000 years ago.
Noted as seafarers, the Haida occupied more than 100 villages
throughout the Islands, and were skilled traders establishing links with their
neighbouring First Nations on the mainland - north and south.
The Islands are a nature lover's paradise ... massive cedars and Sitka spruce trees tower high over the islands ... with a multitude of marine and terrestial species ... ravens and bald eagles soaring the skies, orcas prowling the waves ...
Plentiful flora and fauna ... as well as the mystical landscapes ... are being preserved by 'watchmen' - to ensure their history remains for posterity.
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| Header from the History of the Tribe site 'Wisdom of the Elders' symbol |
That is H for Haida Gwaii ... from Aspects by a British
'girl' in Canada ...
History of the Haida Tribe ... can be found in this link.
My B for Bering Strait, or the area of Beringia ...
My B for Bering Strait, or the area of Beringia ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
39 comments:
Hari OM
Something more learned! Was aware of the islands, but was ignorant of the name. Glad to hear of 'Watchmen'; the environment, in general, is need of such! YAM xx
wow what a mystical place. i looked at pictures on google and was amazed how beautiful it is.
i'm sure glad there are people helping preserve it. i love nature and natural stuff. i'd like to visit there some day.
I have spent a few days on Vancouver Island and loved it, but nobody mentioned Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. It goes to show the importance of blogging!
Hi Hilary!
Sounds like a beautiful place. Massive cedars, mystical landscapes; these Islands of the People at the Edge of the World certainly deserve the 'Watchmen'. In addition to me, you've likely enticed a number of folks to visit this paradise ;-)
I have not heard of these islands before. They sound lovely! Amazing to think that people were living there that long ago.
Sounds like an amazing place.
It would be lovely to see them in person.
Hooray for the Watchmen. We need them, world-wide. And these islands sound truly wonderful.
Thank you for expanding my world. Again.
@ Yamini - that's good that you're now aware of these islands. Isn't it interesting to know there are 'watchmen' looking after this special area ...
@ Lenny - yes totally magical ... and so glad you looked into it further - well done. It'd be good to visit wouldn't it ... and to see nature at its almost pristine, with people who belong to the islands ...
@ Hels - I agree - blogging does open one's eyes ... but there's so much to see here, over and above British Columbia itself and these islands are a little further north ... I wouldn't have known except for one intrepid relative!
@ Diedre - I think it must be an extraordinary place to visit ... and that's excellent if you get to visit - and I hope I've opened peoples' eyes to what's available here ... it does sound magical ...
@ Jean - yes this area was populated long long ago - all the islands up and down the coast ... I expect ...
@ Liz - they do sound beautiful don't they ...
@ Lynn - that's great ... if you could get up to see them ...
@ EC - exactly 'hooray for the watchmen' taking care of their own lifestyle and that of its environment ... a special relationship occurs here ...
Thanks so much for your visits and for recognising the special environment that occurs on the Haida Gwaii islands ... cheers Hilary
Human habitation going back 13000 years - that's some serious history! Sound really beautiful too.
Had heard of Queen Charlotte Island hut not of the Haida name.
I was unaware of these islands, The only Canadian island I knew of was
Magdolen Island - I have a blogging friend there. Great start to the week Hilary.
A-Z tales of My Friend Rosey
These are totally new to me, I had never heard of them. They sound like paradise for nature lovers.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
Thanks for the information on the islands...as others here, I was unfamiliar with them. They sound like a nature lover's paradise.
Hi Hilary. I am very glad Canada has 'watchers' who help preserve the country's stunning fauna and flora. Great post. Kim x
This is my first introduction to the Haida Gwaii. They sound like a perfect summer or fall vacation destination with all of the flora and fauna. Thank you for sharing it with us Hilary.
Emily In Ecuador | Hammock Time on Puerto Lopez Beach
Absolutely fascinating - and so lovely. Thanks Hilary.
Anywhere described as the edge of the world sounds like somewhere I'd like to visit.
You probably know more about Canada than most folks from Canada. Interesting research and lots of stuff I never heard of before.
Can you send some of the watchmen this way, please? Our area is being stripped of trees and nature everywhere I turn. It's awful. We don't need another strip mall, tire store, or 7-11. Ugh!
Elsie
Did you know that the Haida had intermingles with some East Indian communities. Yeah, they were known as the Haidan Sikhs....
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s tremulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Wonderful entry. 13,000 years ago! I love imagining what life was like, new people on an unpopulated island.
@ Nila - yes ... the islands have been populated for a long long time and were relatively self-sufficient ... everywhere here is beautiful!
@ Bob - yes name change ... well using their proper name - i.e. that of their people ... not of the colonists ...
@ Keith - they haven't been that well known ... you know this island - Vancouver! I'll try and bring Magdalen Islands in later on ... thanks for letting me know about those ... and your blogging friend is welcome to come over ...
@ Tasha - I think they are 'paradise' for many ... but are now being protected as best possible by their people ...
@ Elizabeth - As the others and you have mentioned, the islands must be stunning to see and look around ...
@ Kim - yes it seems the Haida peoples are doing what they can to care for their islands; while the flora and fauna is a scientists paradise ...
@ Emily - I think there are tours there ... but the islands are protected due to their people's wish to protect them and keep them as pristine as possible ...
@ Mike - it is fascinating to find out about these islands and all the 'wealth' in their ecosystems ...
@ Patsy - I know 'The Edge of the World' sounds amazing doesn't it ... I'd love to visit the Galapagos too ...
@ Joanne - I doubt it ... but for some reason I quickly got stuck into reading and learning more ... which has really opened my eyes to aspects of Canada I didn't know about ...
@ Elsie - oh I so agree - how many more stores do we need - I hope the planners come to their senses ... but suspect greed wins out ...
@ Bazza - the populations are so mixed here ... it's been interesting to read about - but I couldn't easily comment ... suffice to say that many peoples were brought here, others came to find work once their relatives had settled ... it is a pot pourri of local people, and others from all around the world ...
@ Jacqui - it is extraordinary to think people were living and existing in most parts of the world 13,000 years ago ... makes one think doesn't it ...
Thanks so much for being here and being interested in the post on the Haida Gwaii ... cheers Hilary
Every day my heart is a little sadder for all the things I don't know, but I think especially for how little I know, and how little is taught, about the indigenous peoples.
What a lovely area it sounds, I will explore them more later today.
I never knew this info. So interesting. Thanks for all the work you do to present the best of the best blog posts.
I didn't know about these Canadian islands. They sound pretty!
I guess we need a Thor Heyerdahl to figure out how Haida Gwaii was populated. The island looks like a naturalists paradise.
Congrats on reaching H in the Challenge.
Thank you for this information. I never have known much about Canada, especially its west coast. Blessings.
Once again your post is very educational and a place I did not know existed. Thanks for all the interesting info. Have a good week and take care Diane
Very interesting, I have learnt stuff about a place I knew nothing about
Like many of your other commenters, I'm learning so much about Canada. Seems like I should know more with Canada being our neighbor, but...it's along way from Texas.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
Wonderful series here Hilary. I'm getting a great education on my own country. :)
Hilary, you have a way of describing everything so beautifully. You make me want to visit!
@ Deborah - oh gosh ... I'm amazed at what there is out there to learn about and perhaps more importantly to understand ... especially about the native peoples of the world ... we should be treasuring them ...
@ Steve - that's great if you're coming back to look into the islands further ...
@ Teresa - thanks so much for your compliment ... I just enjoy doing what I do ...
@ Sherry - I think they must be stunning to see - yet hold so many mysteries of earlier lives and life ...
@ Lee - I expect peoples just settled, tribes roamed and formed and settled - especially back in the day when land was available and ready to be explored, and recover between each of their seasonal visits ... now I think the islands are very protected - as they are so precious in their natural resources ...
@ Cecilia - I'm glad I letting you into some of the different areas of Canada and a little about its history ...
@ Diane - thanks ... I enjoy posting about different things - you know me ... I like a little education!
@ Jo-Anne ... thanks and good to see you - hope you're feeling better ...
@ Sue - I can tell you I'm learning too ... and yes Texas is another world compared to here (at least I'm fairly certain that is right!?!) ...
@ Debby - thanks so much - excellent news if I'm putting up snippets you hadn't realised ...
@ Lynda - oh! that's so kind of you ... Haida Gwaii is very special in our world, let alone Canada ...
Thanks so much to you all - it's lovely to know I'm entertaining you as I sort of look at Canada ... cheers Hilary
Haidan Sikhs?...I'll get my coat!
Hi Bazza - there certainly were Sikhs on the mainland and here in Vancouver Island ... I doubt they went to (or lived on) Haida - the Haida Gwaii peoples have control over their island ... while half the population is made up of Haida people ... cheers Hilary
I know about them a little through Emily Carr. Also, in one of the Louise Penny books, Inspector Gamache flies out there as part of an investigation. That was really interesting to read!
@ Deniz - yes Emily was enamoured with the Haida Gwaii ... and I must get one of Louise Penney's books out to see about these Islands as too Quebec ... cheers Hilary
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