Haida: Indigenous "Vikings" of Canada

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For anyone interested in learning more about Haida culture, there's a film that was released in 2018 called SG̲aawaay Ḵ'uuna (The Edge of the Knife) that details early 19th century Haida life through the interpretation of the legend of the Gaagiixiid, a man who becomes wild and feral after being ostracised from his village. It was shot in Haida Gwaii by an all-Haida crew, with the dialogue entirely in the Haida language. It's amazing how alien, and yet strangely familiar, the landscape, people, and themes are, and it's a rare look into cinema that is by, for, and about Indigenous Canadians. Well worth checking out if this topic intrigues you!

The thing that I'm surprised you didn't mention was their pre contact metal use, mostly iron daggers cold worked for meteorites

As somebody who lives in BC, thank you covering a part of indigenous history that gets no where near as much attention as other cultures get! Haida and Nuu-chah-nulth history is interesting!

It’s fascinating, and rather disturbing I daresay, how Canada has been able to fly under the radar for so long, shifting all the focus to its southerly neighbor. I remember when I first stumbled upon “Catholic Residential Schools” by sheer coincidence, on the Internet, 3-4 years ago only. It made me utter the phrase “Reality is stranger than fiction” over and over again. Until my subconscious kept saying “Reality is far more frightening than anything I’ve read in fiction.” The further I kept reading about these schools. 😰😨

What’s crazy about this is I did a paper on this in college basically the same premise comparing similarities between Kwakiutl and Haida cultures to that of the Norse. Making an argument sort of in favor of environmental determinism.

This channel is amazing. I recently learnt that Ancient peoples like Mongols, Conquistadors and Samurais sometimes clashed and traded. Truely amazing, in my mind all of these factions were years apart and too far away to meet. Your narration is so poetic, it feels like i am watching a movie. keep this up, i love it!

My uncle lived with the Haida People for many, many years. When he came back, he had a pendant carved from argilite, depicting the Great Raven with the Moon in its beak. It was crafted by local artisan G. Moody in 1982 who gave it to my uncle. He eventually gifted it to me - he knew I understood its meaning, its value, and that I would keep it safer than even he could. It's one of my most treasured item and your video just gave even more depth to its meaning. I went to pick it out of its box to look at it just now. Thank you.

There's a place in Washington called Skull Island, it's a location where the Haida caught up with and massacred a band of Lummi. There were and likely still are human corpses, or rather their remains, on the island today. I have run into so much excellent Pacific Northwest history lately, and it's about time. The indiginous people here have an incredible history.

As a Haida. I thank you for this! I enjoyed watching and listening to your narration. I hope that one day, the History Channel makes a series like Vikings :) And I hope that I would get a role in it! PS the part of the Smallpox Disease and Residential School made me choke up :( My Chinai (Grandpa) Went to a residential school and tried avoid talking about, because it was that bad.. Still he turned into such a gentleman! Well known on the Island and became Chief of our clan, unfortunately he is no more, but there is a Totem Pole raised to honour his Legacy.

Thank you for covering a Canadian First Nation tribe 🇨🇦💪 I’m Anishinaabek First Nation, frm here Canada. This was rlly fun and interesting to watch. Love the videos. miigwech🙏 (thank you In Ojibwe)

I really thought the you guys would have your first First Nations video about the Chilcotin War or the Louis Riel Rebellion 😂 This is too fascinating. As someone from around Vancouver we cover the history and legends of the Squamish, Tsleil-waututh, and Musqueam Nations. There’s a story of how the Haida and Squamish were once at war with one another. A Squamish Siyam (Chief) was hosting a coming of age potlatch for his twin daughters. His daughters invited the Haida for the potlatch. The Haida traveled down the coast and had such a wonderful time they sued for peace. When the sisters were passing the Xaays (Sky) brothers came down and transformed them into the mountains to be a sign of everlasting peace. These sisters became Ch'ich'iyúy Elxwíkn (Twin Sister Mountains) (There are a variety of versions of this story) When the British settlers came by they started calling them The Lions because the mountains reminded them of the lion statues in Trafalgar Square in London. Hence why Lions/ Lions Gate Bridge/ Lions Gate Hospital/ Lions Bay. Sorry for the extra history just love sharing. Always wanting to learn more First Nation history. I am not First Nation if I spelled anything wrong but I’m learning everyday. 😅

The Tlingit, and the Salish did this too.

I grew up in this region of BC, Haida Gwaii is till an incredible place full of native culture

It’s interesting how deep the parallels go between the Haida and the Norse. Not only did they have the prevalence of raiding, but also a similar model of decentralized authority and the cultural importance of gift giving. Very fascinating all around.

How did you know I needed to learn more about Indigenous Canadians? ;) This will be good. Also beautiful and striking artwork, well done artist brother!

So many important things to get done today... Good thing I learned this cool technique called "procrastination" that allows me to watch this video instead.

Born in Seattle. Non native but grew up on tales and legends of NW Nations. can't wait.

This looks really cool

This one was so beautifully done. This is my first time of ever hearing the story of Haida, and it's so much of a triumphant introduction to their legacy.