SGang Gwaay 'Ilnagaay is a site sacred to the Haida, with its mortuary & memorial poles, remnants of log houses, and inhabitable caves. This place more than a village site - here lie the remains and spirits of their Haida ancestors. Between 1790 and 1890, several thousand Haida died on Haida Gwaii from epidemics introduced by contact with Europeans. Many hundreds are buried here.
   Canada designated this a national historic site in 1981. In the same year, UNESCO granted the island World Heritage Site status, reflecting its importance to the global community.

   The map below (from the site pamphlet) depicts the village, showing the position of houses and poles. Photo left is shot from the beach across the edge of the lagoon toward the village and poles.
 
The Haida believe that there is an inevitable and desirable cycle, where all things return to the earth. This includes their poles. The elders have agreed, however, that the surviving poles in SGang Gwaay may be stabilized to delay this inevitable fate. This includes straigtening them or propping them up, and carefully removing foliage and moss from them. When they fall, they quickly disintegrate.  
 
 
SGang Gwaay is one of five Watchmen sites on Haida Gwaii. Below is the Watchmen's house. Our Watchman, Sandy Pearson, answered our endless questions about the site, the area, Haida life and the history of the reserve, starting with the stand-off between loggers and the Haida protestors (which included two of Sandy's older sisters). This was the impetus to form an agreement between the government and the Haida nation to establish Gwaii Haanas.
   
     

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