Media
Fall Webinars
November 22 + 29, 2023
Join Swiilawiid Sustainability Society and Xaadáa Gwaay Renewable Energy Cooperative for two webinars to learn about possible on-shore wind feasibility and local project updates, and learn what a cooperative is.
Webinar 1: Taajuuwée | Taajuuwaay Wind Feasibility + Local Research Project Updates
Guests: Nang Hl K'aayaas Sean Brennan (Tll Yahda Energy) + Riley Richardson (UVic PRIMED) + Jackie Van der Vulgt (UVic PRIMED)
Webinar 2: Co-operative 101
Guests: Guulee Cynthia Samuels (XGREC) + Zoë Creighton (BCCOOP) + Donald Pettit (Peace Energy Cooperative)
Haida Gwaii Tea Time Podcast
Summer 2023
Check out Swiilawiid's new podcast "Haida Gwaii Tea Time" hosted by our Youth Ambassador, Gwaay K'iiyanda Aaliyah Arens. On this podcast we will be interviewing various guests this season, including knowledge holders, climate leaders, local politicians and Indigenous youth who are passionate about the world they will be leading.
Episode 1: Introduction
Episode 2: Food Sovereignty with April Churchill
Episode 3: Tll Yahda with Sean Brennan
Episode 4: Renewable and Clean Energy with Michelle Meyers
Episode 5: Just Transition with Midori Campos
Stop Motion Animation Workshop
August 28 - September 1, 2023
Near the end of the summer, Swiilawiid partnered with the Gaw Tlagée Youth Centre to present the Stop-Motion Animation Workshop. Kids 10-13 came with their ideas and creativity to produce a short film featuring Haida Gwaii life. We learned how to make sets, shoot fluid shots, add dialogue, and support one another. We had an amazing group of learners for this workshop, all were so kind to one another and dedicated to their films.
We are beyond appreciative to our lead animators, Ileah Mattice and Emily Valente, for sharing their talents with our next generation of animators! They kept our crew inspired and focused!
A huge haw’aa to Hiit’agan.iina Kuuyas Naay/Skidegate Youth Centre for allowing us to use their tech, your generosity is greatly appreciated!
A very special shout out to Alice Montjoy for keeping our crew of creators full and happy with your delicious and nutritious meals! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed every bite! Haw’aa so much, Alice!
Most importantly, haw’aa to the kiddos who showed up with creativity, commitment and great energy!
Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium Keynote
March 2023
On March 11 + 12, co-hosts Council of the Haida Nation and Swiilawiid Sustainability Society held the Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium at the Haida Heritage Centre. With over 170 participants, Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Gaadaaldyas Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, set the stage for amazing conversations related to our energy future over the two days.
Community Strength and Cohesion Series
July 2022
In this series, Swiilawiid aims to uplift powerful local voices and highlight the strength, resilience, and creativity of our community.
Episode 3: Haida Language
Starring: Gaad Gas Raven Ryland + Jaskwaan Bedard + Gwaliga Hart + Jiixa Gladys Vandal + Daall Jaad Melody Gravelle
Haida language learners and teachers from across Haida Gwaii share the incredible power of language in reclaiming strength and identity, restoring justice, and building a stronger community.
Episode 2: Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en
Starring: Gulee Cynthia Samuels + Taanggunaay Grinder + Xaahuujuuwaay Cody Wilson + Sgaalanglaay Gaamdamaay Vern Williams Jr. + Alexis Koome + Sleydo’ Molly Wickham
This episode explores how Haida citizens and allies demonstrate solidarity for Wet'suwet'en land defenders, and why it's important to continue to gather, celebrate, and build collectively towards Indigenous sovereignty across lands and waters.
Haawa to Gidimt'en Access Point for allowing us to use a clip from one of their YouTube videos.
Episode 1: Living By Our Own Rules
Starring: Jaalen Edenshaw + Sgaalanglaay Gaamdamaay Vern Williams Jr.
Swiilawiid Sustainability Society explores the topic of sovereignty on Haida Gwaii with Haida artist and craftsman Jaalen Edenshaw. In this series, Swiilawiid aims to uplift powerful local voices and highlight the strength, resilience, and creativity of our community.
Power to the People
July 2022
Power to the People is a television documentary series that explores the renewable energy revolution empowering Indigenous communities around the world. In each episode, Cree host Melina Laboucan-Massimo uncovers fascinating renewable energy or sustainable living projects.
In episode #5, Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and off the BC hydro grid, the Haida Nation relies on diesel generators to power their communities. Now a homegrown group is looking to the wind, sun, and sea to offset their reliance on fossil fuels.
2022 Webinars
Ask A Gardener
May 2022
The second webinar of 2022, with guests: Xiihliikingang April Churchill, Wilfred Penker, and Karl Puls - facilitated by Gid Uuwans Dana Moraes.
Taking Care of Haida Gwaii
April 2022
Swiilawiid’s first webinar of 2022, hosted by Gid Uuwans Dana Moraes. Guest speakers: Guuds Gid T’awn Kevin Brown (OMVC, Climate Action Coordinator), Nang Hlk’yayaas Sean Brennan (HaiCo, Energy Coordinator), Julien Braun (CHN, Project Manager, CHN Marine Planning Program
Chair, Haida Gwaii Marine Debris Removal Taskforce), and Holly Johnson (SBC, Climate Action Coordinator)
Haida Sustainability and Independence Series
Summer 2020 - Spring 2022
The vision of Hlk’yak’ii is to facilitate and promote sovereign and sustainable solutions to energy independence and human resilience in the face of climate change. This focus on resilience and sovereignty is at the heart of our virtual programming – highlights the importance of food sovereignty here on Haida Gwaii to help lower our climate footprint and increase our sense of community. As a part of the shift in programming for the Hlk’yak’ii exhibition, Haida Gwaii Museum and Swiilawiid partnered with Healthy Haidas to produce a series of short films featuring Haida skills and wisdom.
Episode 4: Tsíin kyáandaang: To Can Salmon
Starring: Skil Kaat’laas Reg Davidson
March 12, 2022
Episode 3: SGiwdaang: To Harvest Seaweed
Starring: Xuunad Cooper Wilson
March 12, 2022
Episode 2: XaaydaGa Dlaang: Healthy Haidas
Starring: St’aay Taaw.waay Carla Russ & Gaadgaas Erika Stocker
July 17, 2020
Episode 1: Gaay.ya swaanGadaya: Smoked Black Cod
Starring: Jenny Brooks & Rose Russ
July 3, 2020
Film Screening and Youth Panel
Winter 2021
Hosted by Julia Weder, this entirely youth-led online screening of the Power to the People: Haida Gwaii episode aired in March 2021. The screening showcases energy projects in our communities, and the youth panel includes four teens who are contributing to the climate justice movement in their own unique ways. Tune in to hear from Taanggunaay Grinder, Haana Edenshaw, Gaagwiis Reese Burton, and Lula Issa.
Island Energy Independence: Where are we at now?
Winter 2021
Facilitated by Gid Uuwans Dana Moraes, and hosted by Swiilawiid, this Islandwide webinar includes updates from Haida Gwaii governments and elected officials.
Power to the People
Spring 2020
Power to the People is a television documentary series that explores the renewable energy revolution empowering Indigenous communities around the world. In each episode, Cree host Melina Laboucan-Massimo uncovers fascinating renewable energy or sustainable living projects.
In episode #4, Melina travels to Haida Gwaii to meet Swiilawiid and learn about Project 0% Diesel. In HlGaagilda Llnagaay Skidegate and Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, Power to the People showcases how the Haida Nation, Island communities and elected leaders share a vision for a future powered by clean energy.
Hlk’yak’ii To Start A Fire
Fall 2018
“The colonizers tried to destroy our spirit; our identity; our language; our Haida-ness. They wanted us to forget our responsibility to Haida Gwaii, the Supernaturals and each other; to forget our understanding of who we are. But amazingly, our surviving Ancestors not only survived, many thrived.” – Jisgang Nika Collison, Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium Keynote
Sierra Club BC: Mission Transition (podcast)
2018-2019
“Nearly every day now, we hear of some new innovation moving the world toward clean energy. For many of us, this means installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle or maybe giving up the car altogether.
But this transition raises many questions most people haven’t even started to consider. What actually counts as clean energy? Who should make decisions about how it’s produced—and how do these projects impact communities? How do we need to rethink land use in a clean energy economy?”
Sierra Club BC’s podcast Mission Transition: Clean Energy and Beyond dives into these questions and more with interviews from thinkers and doers who are all passionate about making the transition happen.
Season 2, Episode 3 includes perspectives from Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, Trent Moraes, and Kii’iljuus Barbara Wilson, among others at the Haida Gwaii and the Renewable Energy Symposium
In Season 1, Episode 5, Swiilawiid ED and Co-founder, Valine Brown talks with host Sue Elrington about Who Owns Our Power?
