Hlk'yak'ii — Swiilawiid

Jisgang Nika Collison started a fire at the Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium in 2018 and called on all who were there to continue carefully carrying the fire from place to place, handing it down for generations to follow.

Our intent is the spark
Our commitment is the ember
Our actions are the new fires to be lit
We are all firekeepers
Together we can do great things
Together we can do this

Today, the Haida Gwaii Museum and Swiilawiid continue to collaborate on an emerging program with the same name, Hlk’yak’ii. Hlk’yak’ii the program continues to support the development of Haida Gwaii’s food, clean water, and energy independence through language, arts, and culture. Follow the Haida Gwaii Museum and Swiilawiid online for upcoming events, and hlk’yak’ii programming.

Kayd Hll.ngaay • Kíid Hlíing Spruce Root Weaving

Taught by a family of weavers, ten weavers are learning the process of how to harvest, prepare and weave four different utilitarian baskets with spruce roots respectfully. These four baskets will be used to harvest seaweed, sea asparagus, berries and clams.

They have committed to teaching three others and harvesting roots for Elders that aren't able to harvest themselves
They will understand the different areas that you can harvest spruce root (forest, beach) and how to take care of that area.

Wiid Berry Propagation

Focused on strengthening and normalizing the practice of Haida fruit cultivation, harvesting and preparation, as well as food-sharing practices, Wiid is being conducted with and by Haida knowledge holders and learners.

Year one will begin in HlGaagilda, year two will expand to Gaw Tlagée and will expand from there to other regions.
Wiid translates to Swainson’s or Russet-backed Thrush in English and is known to Haidas as the ‘Salmonberry bird’ because it sings to ripen the berries.

Tawk’ii Daanaay Tll Kunsda • Tl’a Táwk’aa Kúnst’ayee Starting a Garden: Ten Food Plants to Grow on Haida Gwaii

Rooted in the Haida Ways of Beings, this book shares knowledge on stewarding the soil, creating raised beds, local pollinators, gathering local materials for the garden and on how to grow ten food plants on Haida Gwaii.

Released at the 2023 Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium on March 11 + 12.
Available at the Haida Gwaii Museum's Trading House in HlGaagilda and Gin Kuuyas Naay in Gaw Tlagée for $15.

Hlk’yak’ii Exhibition

From this keynote, an art exhibition was created through the friendship and commitment of Swiilawiid and the Haida Gwaii Museum. The art exhibition (June 21 2021 - March 13 2022) was a creative space to envision energy independence and human resilience in the face of climate change.

Download the hlk’yak’ii exhibition catalogue

Hlk’yak’ii Keynote

At the 2018 Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium Jisgang starts a fire with her keynote.

An Energy Timeline of Haida Gwaii

Originally prepared for and included in the Hlk’yak’ii exhibition

Featured

1850-1900

This era represents an intense increase of colonial industrialization and exploitation built upon cultural and biological genocide of Indigenous peoples throughout the Northwest Coast, including purposefully introduced disease with vaccines withheld, the formation of colonial governments, Indian Act, potlatch ban era and residential schools. Colonial exploration and exploitation of Haida Gwaii’s energy sources begins in the 1850s when Europeans attempt to prospect and mine coal.

1900-1930

Colonial industries including whaling, logging, mining, fishing and fish processing continue to increase. Coal oil and kerosene lamps provide lighting; boilers fueled by wood or coal provide heat and power, as do water wheels and woodstoves.

1940-1969

Small communities start to be powered by diesel generating stations and for the first time, households on Haida Gwaii are hooked up to the electrical grid.

1970-1979

Colonial oil and gas exploration continues to increase around Haida Gwaii, as do proposals for large-scale energy projects from off-Island corporations. At the same time, the Haida Nation and neighbours increase efforts to protect Haida Gwaii lands and waters from fossil fuel projects.

1980-1989

The 1980s is a time of increased assertion of Indigenous Rights and Title, as well as environmental protection. The resistance to fossil fuel projects on Haida Gwaii is further fueled by the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill in Alaska.

1990-1999

The south grid on Haida Gwaii is partially powered by hydro for the first time.

2000-2009

As off-Island corporations continue to pitch energy proposals, Haida Gwaii residents increasingly insist that any energy projects must be sustainable and in the best interest of Haida Gwaii.

2010-Present

Haida Gwaii continues to fight against energy projects that are not in the interest of the people, lands, or waters of Haida Gwaii. Locally-owned sustainable energy projects begin to grow, such as solar panels on buildings, a tidal-generated power prototype, and small wind power installations. Communities strengthen their commitment to work together to create a diesel-free Haida Gwaii.