 |
| Photo: Thomas Gotchy |
Q&A: Cedar and culture
By Melissa Juergensen
Cedar is an important part of Haida culture. To learn more
about the relationship, Canadian Geographic spoke
to Barbara Wilson, a cultural liaison specialist with Gwaii
Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
CG: What is the historical significance of cedar to Haida culture?
B.W.: Historically, cedar has been the backbone of many parts of Haida daily
life. Totem poles, houses and clothing all came from cedar. Looking at what was available
on the land, cedar was the most versatile of all the woods on Haida Gwaii.
CG: What exactly is cedar used for?
B.W.: In the past, cedar was used to make about five different sizes or types
of canoes. The whole make-up of the house including wallboards and corner posts, as well as
decorative accessories were made from cedar. Before we had access to woven materials, cedar
bark was also used to weave clothing, such as capes and tunics. When we got wool from trading
with the mainland, cedar was woven with the wool in order to give the material a certain amount
of strength and stability.
Today, our people are going back to honouring the things we did in the past by doing them again.
To a large extent we're using cedar every day. We use cedar for the sides of our houses,
our roofs and for carving totem poles. Not everybody does, but some of us do.
CG: To what extent would you say that monumental art and Haida culture is threatened by the loss of cedar?
B.W.: The logging companies are doing what's called helicopter-logging.
They are able to look at the forest and pick and choose which trees to remove by helicopter,
effectively taking the very best cedar out. They tell us that they're being respectful
of the land, but in fact what they're doing is high-grading. The loss of cedar has a
big impact on the cultural and monumental art that we do because the skills of our ancestors
can't be practiced if the material we need is no longer around.
 |
| Photo: Courtesy of Bill Reid Foundation |
 |
Bill Reid (1920-1998)
Bill Reid was an exceptional Canadian artist. Born to a Haida mother and a father of European descent, Reid played a critical role in introducing the world to Haida monumental art. His work, which includes, wood carvings, jewelry, prints and sculptures, continues to be on display at museums across the country.
Learn how to carve a
totem pole. |
|
|
|
|
|
