The Tlingit and Haida are indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America who inhabit the southeastern region of Alaska, as well as parts of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory in Canada. Both the Tlingit and Haida have rich histories, cultures, and traditions that have been preserved and passed down through generations. Their economies, then and today, have been focused on harvesting the rich resources of the coast, including whales, seals, salmon, halibut and other species.
The Tlingit are known for their complex social structure, art, craftsmanship, and ceremonialism. They traditionally lived in permanent villages along the coast and were skilled fishermen, hunters, and traders. The Tlingit were organized into clans, with each clan having its own hereditary leaders, crests, and privileges. Potlatches, or ceremonial gatherings, played a significant role in Tlingit society and were important for social and economic exchanges.
The Haida people, on the other hand, are known for their distinctive art, particularly their totem poles and cedar wood carvings. The Haida also lived in permanent villages along the coast and were skilled mariners and traders. Like the Tlingit, the Haida were organized into clans, with each clan having its own distinct territory, crests, and traditions. Potlatches were also important in Haida culture and were used for commemorating important events, such as births, deaths, and marriages.
Both the Tlingit and Haida peoples faced challenges over the centuries, including colonization, disease, and cultural suppression. However, in recent decades they have worked to preserve and revitalize their languages, traditions, and cultural practices. Today, the Tlingit and Haida tribes are recognized as sovereign nations with their own governments and continue to play important roles in the cultural, social, and economic life of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
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The Circumpolar Navigator project acknowledges the existence of harmful content in many publications and historical materials within this initiative. We recognize the potentially painful heritage of some of our collections and seek to address its impact on research and culture today.
The Circumpolar Navigator project aims to bring together Arctic and sub-Arctic collections from a wide range of northern heritage materials that will provide access for modern researchers to previously hidden sources of information that can offer data and insights on multiple subjects.
