The Haida Creation Story: With Elder Bill Reid
Channel: Jaguar Bird
Date: 2018-10-27

This is a Haida Creation Story.., narrated and presented by Grandfather/Elder Bill Reid.., presented in the documentary
 "The War Against The Indians".., by Harry Rasky.

There are also other Haida focus videos in this channel for: 
Chief Maquinna.., The Haida Peoples & Nation..; The Lyell Island Protest/Crisis.. (1980's).... and for the Haida Creation story about "Raven".

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Lyell Island, known also in the Haida language as Athlii Gwaii, is a large island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. The island is a part of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site and had been the focus of anti-logging demonstrations that led to the Haida protected area and the reserve for a national park. 

72 Haida citizens were arrested by the RCMP and charged with Contempt of Court. Also arrested on Lyell Island was a Canadian MP, Svend Robinson. Lyell Island was the focus of protests as its land and surrounding water are the territories of the Haida people, yet were subjected to Canadian territorial and jurisdictional claims. 

Additionally.., part of its forests had been a mortuary grove, for those who were infected by the smallpox epidemics that ravaged the Indigenous Peoples of the archipelago in the 18th and 19th Centuries. For the Haida People.., the island was a long-standing border agreed to by the ,Province of BC and local stakeholders seeking to curtail the provincially sanctioned logging. The Provincial Minister of Forest, Tom Waterland announced that logging would shortly commence over the line. 

The Haida response was clear that such a move 
was not acceptable. 

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Haida people have occupied Haida Gwaii since time immemorial. Our traditional territory encompasses parts of southern Alaska, the archipelago of Haida Gwaii and its surrounding waters. Our pre-contact population was in the tens of thousands in several dozen towns dispersed throughout the islands. During the time of contact our population fell to about 600, this was due to introduced disease including measles, typhoid and smallpox. Today, Haida people make up half of the 5000 people living on the islands.

Haida reside throughout the islands but are concentrated in two main centres, Gaw Old Massett at the north end of Graham Island and HlGaagilda Skidegate at the south end. Besides these two communities, there are many 2000 more Haida scattered throughout the world. Vancouver, 770 km south of Haida Gwaii, has a large population as does Kxeen Prince Rupert which is 100 km east across Hecate Strait.

The Haida Nation collectively holds Hereditary and Aboriginal Title and Rights to Haida Territories and the cultural and intellectual property rights of the Haida Nation.

All people of Haida ancestry are citizens of the Haida Nation. Every Haida citizen has the right of access to all Haida Gwaii resources for cultural reasons, and for food or commerce consistent with the Laws of Nature as reflected in the laws of the Haida Nation.

FOR MORE: - haidanation.ca

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 I claim no ownership of any of the clips, video, music and words expressed in this video...and employ my borrowing of them with much respect and thanks.  Credits are also given at the end of the video...and below.

No personal monetization is being done with this video, by me..., nor am I receiving any other benefits from any of this video..  It is meant for all.., to heal, teach, discuss, inspire and inform...and share.

Fair use policy applies for all  material used in this video.

I thank, with much respect: The Haida Gwaii Council, Nation & Peoples..;  HaidaNation.ca..; "The War Against The Indians" - Harry Rasky..;  CBC.. and to all the other brothers and sisters who have saved some great photo moments of The Haida People.  

Haawa. (Xaayda Kil).. 
Chi Miigwetch!.. 
Many Blessings & Thanks..!

*Set video to 960 X 540p HD, for best viewing.
(480P - You-Tube)