Skidegate Aboriginal History & Culture

This guiding company features tours of spectacular Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve as well as the waters around the Queen Charlotte Islands. Fishing tours, cultural land tours and whale watching excursions are some of the possibilities.

Learn about Haida Gwaii's First Nations culture and heritage at this prominent centre. Featuring five longhouses, visitors can tour the onsite museum and gallery, sample traditional aboriginal cuisine at the restaurant, and enjoy traditional and contemporary performances.

A totem pole carved by Bill Reid, an internationally-recognized artist, stands in his mother's village of Skidegate, Haida Gwaii and forms the centre post on the front of the Skidegate Band Council's administrative building. It was carved in 1978. A feast, dancing and potlatching were held on the day the pole was raised. Walk to the edge of the shore for the best view of the pole, which is a testimony to the endurance of the disappearing Haida culture of which Mr. Reid was a part.

Tourists to Skidegate can visit the canoe and carving sheds, both located at the north end of the village. Watch as local artists carve totem poles from cedar logs or admire Bill Reid's 15 m (50 ft) canoe, used during ceremonies and special events. Note, there are no set hours of operation but mornings are usually the best time to visit.