Topography
Haida Gwaii is the traditional name for the group of islands located on the Queen Charlotte Islands on the Northern coast of British Columbia in the Pacific Ocean. There are 150 islands including Graham Island and Moresby Island which are the two major islands of the area. The southern islands are very mountainous which gives the people easy access to fresh drinking water. The large northwestern side is mountainous on the west half and flat on the east. The flat land is beneficial to farming. The Haida people have lived on these lands for at least 6000 to 8000 years. This rugged terrain is home to abundant wildlife and many cedar forests.
Haida Gwaii is the traditional name for the group of islands located on the Queen Charlotte Islands on the Northern coast of British Columbia in the Pacific Ocean. There are 150 islands including Graham Island and Moresby Island which are the two major islands of the area. The southern islands are very mountainous which gives the people easy access to fresh drinking water. The large northwestern side is mountainous on the west half and flat on the east. The flat land is beneficial to farming. The Haida people have lived on these lands for at least 6000 to 8000 years. This rugged terrain is home to abundant wildlife and many cedar forests.
Vegetation
Many plants are found on these islands, some used for everyday life, some used for medicines and some are good for a food resource. One of the most common and useful plants are the Cedar trees. Cedar forests are very popular on these islands. The wood from the trees were used for making canoes, totem poles, houses, and large bend-wood boxes. Some other plants were used for making medicines. Hellebore, Yew, and Devil’s Club are a few medical plants that if not prepared correctly can be fatal. The Haida used about 150 different plant species on Haida Gwaii. Lots of maritime plants like seaweed were easy to find and very much in use by the Haida because they were located on islands that lead out into the open ocean. Hippa Island is a herb dominated community, some of the herbs they have include Cyperaceae, Artemisia, and Salix.
Many plants are found on these islands, some used for everyday life, some used for medicines and some are good for a food resource. One of the most common and useful plants are the Cedar trees. Cedar forests are very popular on these islands. The wood from the trees were used for making canoes, totem poles, houses, and large bend-wood boxes. Some other plants were used for making medicines. Hellebore, Yew, and Devil’s Club are a few medical plants that if not prepared correctly can be fatal. The Haida used about 150 different plant species on Haida Gwaii. Lots of maritime plants like seaweed were easy to find and very much in use by the Haida because they were located on islands that lead out into the open ocean. Hippa Island is a herb dominated community, some of the herbs they have include Cyperaceae, Artemisia, and Salix.
Climate
In this area, the climate is strongly influenced by maritime conditions of their location and western winds. Winters are mild and summers are cool. There is very little difference in temperature between the seasons. August tends to be the warmest month with May having the most hours of sunshine. January is the coldest month of the year but it is a great time for storm watching and surfing opportunities. The East coast of the islands are much drier then the west coast. Precipitation is frequent and direct sunshine only lasts about 3-4 hours per day on average.
In this area, the climate is strongly influenced by maritime conditions of their location and western winds. Winters are mild and summers are cool. There is very little difference in temperature between the seasons. August tends to be the warmest month with May having the most hours of sunshine. January is the coldest month of the year but it is a great time for storm watching and surfing opportunities. The East coast of the islands are much drier then the west coast. Precipitation is frequent and direct sunshine only lasts about 3-4 hours per day on average.
Resources
The Haida’s main resources are the Cedar trees. The wood form families depend on the trees for making plain boxes to use in the home. Fishing and hunting gear, dugout canoes and tools are also made out of the wood from Cedar trees. The bark from cedar trees are used to make clothing, weaved baskets, bags, bugs, blankets, and hats. Another resource that the Haida have easy access to are fish.
The Haida’s main resources are the Cedar trees. The wood form families depend on the trees for making plain boxes to use in the home. Fishing and hunting gear, dugout canoes and tools are also made out of the wood from Cedar trees. The bark from cedar trees are used to make clothing, weaved baskets, bags, bugs, blankets, and hats. Another resource that the Haida have easy access to are fish.
Here is a short video about cedar usage:
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