Haida People

Haida People

English, Haida

The Haida ( /ˈhaɪdə/, HY-duh) are an indigenous nation of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. Their main territory is the archipelago of Haida Gwaii in northern British Columbia, but many live across the water in Southeast Alaska.

The term "Haida Nation" refers both to the people as a whole and also to their government on Canadian territory, the Council of the Haida Nation; the government for those in the United States is the Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Haida language has erroneously been classified as one of the Na-Dene group, but today is considered to be an isolate.

Haida society continues to be very engaged in the production of a robust and highly stylized art form, a leading component of Northwest Coast art . While frequently expressed in large wooden carvings (totem poles), Chilkat weaving, or ornate jewelry, it is also moving quickly into works of popular expression such as Haida manga.