Haida Language

Place name restoration is extremely important to Haida sovereignty and health. In 2010 our Nation hosted a potlatch called “Giving Back the Name with Respect.” This event was created to officially give the name Queen Charlotte Islands back to the crown, and restore the original name of Haida Gwaii to our Islands. This same effort can be seen all over Haida Gwaii today with local communities, streets and landmarks named in our language, and the original names of points of land and bodies of water also being restored, most recently in partnership with BC.

Dialects

Throughout the orientation you may have noticed the two main dialects of our Haida Language; Xaad Kíl, spoken in Gaw Tlagée Old Massett and Xaayda Kil spoken in HlGaagilda Skidegate. There is also a third dialect spoken by our Kaigani Alaska Haida relatives. There are many sub dialects unique to each clan, so depending on who you speak with, you may hear different variations of the language throughout your visit. The Haida language as a whole is considered a “language isolate” meaning it does not derive from any other language families. There are currently less than 10 fluent Elder speakers and a new generation of adults, youth and children committed to keeping the language alive.