Book Description

Over the last ten years there has been intensive field research in archaeology and paleo-geography in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), primarily by agencies such as Parks Canada, but also by consultantas and other independent researchers. Members of the Haida Nation have participated directly in this field work. Haida Gwaii presents the results of this research and carefully integrates the results with earlier archaeological, ethnohistorical, and paleo-environmental work in the region. The book presents as complete a picture as possible of past environments and culture on Haida Gwaii from the late glacial through the prehistoric and protohistoric periods preceding the period of direct European contact. While this is a scientific text, Haida tradition is covered to a limited extent through the inclusion of a previously unpublished Haida origin myth. The collection makes a significant contribution to understanding the natural history of Haida Gwaii, from new data on ice retreat, shoreline and sea level change, faunal communities, and culture history, to broader inferences made from these data regarding the late glacial and early post-glacial history of the entire coast.