To witness a pole raising on Haida Gwaii is to witness GaadGaasgiidang
Beautiful, powerful, and deeply emotional. Children stand beside Elders, and Chiefs, families beside friends, and the community moves as one.
Like the tides, the songs rise with the voices, carrying memory, purpose, and belonging.
Every rope has many hands. Every hand is listening. Together.
Each rope is pulled, held, released, or tightened at exactly the right instant, guided by a single voice, encouraged by knowing eyes, and sustained by complete trust.
Inhaling, exhaling. Gam kaayan Gang
The law of physics practiced through generations of knowledge rooted in the land, the sky, the ocean, the stories… and the instinct.
Respect is at the heart of every movement, every instruction. The community breathes as one. Together. Yahguudang
“If your mouth is moving, your ears aren’t listening” they say. Tll yahda dii
Traditions that have endured, persisted. Though they were pushed toward dark, cruel silence by the forces of colonialism; though they were muted by intimidation and terror; they were never extinguished. They kept inhaling, exhaling. Together.
They have risen again and again with extraordinary strength. Together.
Today, that strength lives in the eyes and hearts of the children. Within their drums, rattles, regalia, foods, voices…breathes the stories, songs, teachings, and wisdom of their ancestors – held not only in memory but carried forward in who they are, until a collective Haaw’a is spoken.
As the poles rise, so too does the enduring spirit of the Xaayda Laas
Some of my fondest memories while living on Haida Gwaii was dropping into S.H.I P. (Skidegate Haida Immersion Program) and learning a few words of Xaayda kil from the Elders while playing Dii gwaay (lit. I win…Bingo. I learned so much more than words.
- GaadGaasgiidang – everyone gets together
- Gam kaayan Gang – don’t give up
- Tll yahda dii – do it right
- Yahguudang – respect
- Haaw’a – thank you
- Xaayda Laas – good people of Haida Gwaii
Words by Joëlle Rabu inspired by the July 2026 HlGaagilda pole raisings. Photos from Skidegate Days Facebook posts, wishing I was there. First 2 photos are the Garner Moody pole. Last photo is the Billy Bellis pole.
