The territory of the Haida First Nation is British Columbia (Canada) and Alaska (US), particularly on the Islands of Haida Gwaii. They were one of the last nations to be colonized in North America and have historically been a particularly activist First Nation, engaging in direct action resistance to support their sovereignty over their territory and to protect their lands. The Lyle Island logging blockades in the 80s led to the Haida regaining control over much their territory. They are governed via the Council of the Haida Nation, a unique fusion of traditional hereditary governance and colonial band councils, with all agreeing to act together as one.
Haida
The Haida Nation
large format photo exhibition by Karl FrostMarch through June 2025lobby of Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzigopen 9h-17h Monday-Friday In precolonial times, Xaad Kil (Haida language) was spoken by the matrilineal First Nations clans on the islands of Haida Gwaii, just below Alaska, in what is now British Columbia, Canada. Like other First Nations, […]
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Tluu Haada Nay pole raising
On Friday, 19 August 2022, Christian White (master carver of the Yahgulaanas clan of the Haida), with family, clan, and community, raised a totem pole in Old Masset, Haida Gwaii (BC, Canada) to honor his family, the Yahgulaanas/jaanas clan, and the Haida Nation. The Haida are famous historically for their elaborately carved totem poles. Raising […]
Quotidian Scenes
an exhibition of photographic anthropology by Karl Frost at the Max Planck Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig April 18 – July 30, 2019 Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig open hours 8:00 – 18:00 These photos and video stills were taken from the network of field sites associated with the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology, and […]
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Haida Artists of Old Masset
The traditional territories of the Haida people are in northwest British Columbia (Canada) and and southwest Alaska (USA), primarily centered on the islands of Haida Gwaii. Haida Gwaii once had numerous villages scattered around the islands, mostly at river mouths rich in food resources. Together these communities represented a powerful political and economic force with […]
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Video: “Raven Always Sets Things Right”
In August 2016, the Yahgulaanaas/Janaas clan of the Haida Nation held an historic potlatch, “Raven Always Sets Things Right”. It was held to strip two of their clan cheifs/spokesmen – litl’xaydaga – of their names and positions because they had clandestinely collaborated with the Enbridge oil pipeline company against the explicit wishes of their clan […]
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Video stills and photos from a Haida potlatch
In August 2016, the Yahgulaanaas/Janaas clan of the Haida Nation held an historic potlatch, “Raven Always Sets Things Right”. It was held to strip two of their clan cheifs/spokesmen – litl’xaydaga – of their names and positions because they had clandestinely collaborated with the Enbridge oil pipeline company against the explicit wishes of their clan […]