Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ1000     Exposure: 1/1000s   f2.8/9mm     Date: 24.08.2017

Sticks and stones ... and sea shells, T'anuu, Haida Gwaii, BC

During a short lunch break at the T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) watchmen station, we found this beautiful display of abalone and other sea shells aranged on a log stump. In the past, Haida watchmen were posted at strategic positions around a village to raise the alarm in advance of an approaching enemy. Today, from May to October, members of the Haida Gwaii Watchmen Program staff five historical village sites in the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve: Ḵ’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans), T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu), Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay), G̱andll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island) and SG̱ang Gwaay Llnagaay (Anthony Island). The watchmen offer a first-hand introduction of Haida culture to the tourists by sharing their knowledge of the land and sea, their stories, songs, dances and traditional foods. Three watchmen wearing high hats are often carved at the very top of Haida poles.