Haida Gwaii: Golden Spruce & Skidegate

On our second day, we went on a trail in search on the golden spruce. According to different people there are several different versions of how the golden spruce no longer exists after it was cut down due to logging operations. The golden spruce was a unique sitka spruce that was golden coloured due to a genetic mutation. In 1997, the golden spruce was chopped down at a political statement against industrialized logging. Thankfully in the '77, some of the tree was grafted to grow golden spruces in UBC's botanical gardens and they have now planted saplings, where the tree once stood. The trail along the Yakoun River was beautiful with second growth trees and some old hemlock. After our hike, we headed to Skidegate to checkout the Kaay 'llnagaay Heritage Centre to look at poles made by Bill Read and carvers of the past. They had amazing rock carvings and a chilkat blanket. We arrived just after grey whales and orcas left the harbour. The museum was amazing, with tall windows facing the harbour, a performance house, and a carving shed. One of the main carving projects was to build a pole to replace a pole that was given back by Banff park. In the past, poles were taken down from Haida Gwaii and sold to parks and museums across the world. The Haida people have been working to get their poles returned to them and they have been successful with getting poles back from Chicago and London, England. When they have receive a pole back, they are commissioned to create a new pole for that park or museum. This is a part of the ongoing reconciliation of the island. The Haida have a unique political power because they have not had any land disputes with any other Aboriginal groups, which the government counts on to stall the treaty negotiations. Today, the Haida government is one of the most powerful Aboriginal groups in the country because of their undisputed land claims and have been working towards preserving their past and planning for their future. We ended our day at Balance Rock, a famous landmark on island left over from glacial erosion in the last glacial period 10, 000 yrs ago