Latest news with #Haida
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This Alaska Region Has Some of the State's Most Beautiful Coastal Towns—Plus Majestic Glaciers and Unforgettable Wildlife
Located about 16 miles north of downtown Ketchikan—the Salmon Capital of the World—the waterfront Salmon Falls Fishing Resort is a haven for anglers wanting an all-inclusive fishing adventure. Watch huge chunks of ice calve off massive glaciers and splash spectacularly into the water at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Take a scenic seaplane tour of the enormous Juneau Icefield. Situated on the waterfront in Juneau, crack open an Alaskan king crab leg at Tracy's King Crab Shack. Alaska's Inside Passage is home to charming small towns that highlight the destination's Indigenous heritage and offer local I gazed out the tiny window of the 10-passenger floatplane, wearing bulky headphones to drown out the turbine engine, the staggering 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield came into view. I peered down at the massive glaciers with electric blue crevasses. This was one of Alaska's Inside Passage adventures that would stick with me. The Inside Passage draws travelers interested in outdoor adventure, wildlife, charming coastal towns, and Indigenous culture. Located in southeastern Alaska, about 80 percent of the area is in the Tongass National Forest—the largest national forest in the United States. The expansive terrain not only features glaciers, but also scenic waterfalls, temperate rain forest, picturesque fjords, and an abundance of wildlife. Keep your eyes open for bears, whales, moose, mountain goats, seals, and bald eagles (their heads look like white golf balls in the trees). There's no shortage of outdoor activities, including kayaking, boating, hiking, and fishing. The region is also rich in Indigenous culture and history, home to the Tlingit, Haida, Eyak, and Tsimshian Alaskan Native people. Their skilled artistry can be seen in colorful totem poles and intricately woven baskets found throughout the alluring coastal towns. Many arrive by cruise ship, which allows you to cover large distances in a short amount of time. If you're visiting the Inside Passage, use this curated guide to help plan your trip. Conveniently located in historic downtown Juneau, Alaska's capital, the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau offers comfortable guest rooms with ocean views and useful amenities, like complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and an on-site convenience store. Just steps from Sitka Harbor and Crescent Bay, The Sitka Hotel offers water and mountain views, plus it's walkable to downtown shops and restaurants. Dine at one of the nearby eateries or make a meal in your room thanks to the kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, and stove. Guests arrive by boat to this Alaskan lodge that offers unmatched fishing and outdoor adventures. After a day on the water or hiking in nature, relax on the sandy beach or indulge in a spa treatment. The beautiful setting in the Tongass National Forest is ideal for experiencing the Inside Passage. Set off on a guided fishing adventure at this all-inclusive resort not far from Ketchikan. After making a catch, relax on the patio or by the firepit, listen to live music, or play yard games. End the day with a fresh Alaskan dinner at the Timbers Restaurant & Lounge. The host innkeepers of this bed-and-breakfast warmly welcome their guests with cozy rooms named after women who were part of the Klondike gold rush, farm- and sea-to-table meals at Olivia's Bistro, and top-notch service. Ask for their input on hiking the Chilkoot Trail. They'll even let you borrow bear spray. After a ferry trip, a bus ride, a short hike, and a paddle across a river and lake, the view of Davidson Glacier is worth the effort. This is remote Alaska at its finest. The six-hour excursion from Skagway allows travelers to experience the wilderness and wildlife firsthand—by water and land. Board a vintage train in Skagway and take in the views on the journey to the 2,865-foot summit of White Pass. The nearly three-hour round-trip route passes scenic waterfalls, glaciers, and historic sites of the 1898 Klondike Trail. There are also multiday train tours throughout Alaska. Learn about the culture and traditions of the Indigenous Tlingit people at this native village near Ketchikan. I found the traditional song and dance in the Clan House to be powerful and enlightening. Leave time to meet Indigenous artists in the Carving House and discover the meaning of totem poles at Totem Park. Observe the great outdoors from a wheeled dogsled pulled by trained huskies. The one-mile trail through the forest provides ample opportunity to photograph the picturesque backcountry. Cuddle with adorable husky puppies at the musher's camp. This 40-minute seaplane excursion offers a bird's-eye view of five epic glaciers: the Norris, Hole-in-the-Wall, East and West Twin Glaciers, and Taku Glacier. I particularly enjoyed the pilot's descriptive narration. The immenseness of the Juneau Icefield can only be appreciated from the air. This iconic restaurant, known for its Alaskan king crab, has two locations in Juneau. I loved the open-air waterfront dining at Shack 2, which large crab legs by the bucket. You'll also find Alaskan golden king crab, red king crab, Dungeness crab, and snow crab on the menu. At this gratuity-free restaurant in Sitka, chef Renée—a 2023 James Beard best chef semifinalist—cooks locally sourced dishes with a focus on high-quality seafood and sustainability practices. You will feel as though you are dining at a friend's home, with attentive service in a warm and welcoming environment. Pull up a seat at the bar to taste oysters freshly harvested from some of the most pristine ocean water on the planet. Just north of Ketchikan, guests can tour Hump Island Oyster Company to learn about its commitment to using ethical and sustainable farming practices. While visiting Juneau, I love hopping on the Goldbelt Tram to grab lunch at the rustic Timberline Bar & Grill. Dine on salads, burgers, or burritos with panoramic views of downtown Juneau and the surrounding area. Then, work off your meal by hiking the 4.5-mile Mount Roberts Trail back down. Dining at this historic saloon is like stepping back in time to the gold rush era, when bustling dance halls, saloons, and brothels were popular in Skagway. Fill your belly with pizza and beer, followed by a "quickie" tour of the brothel museum. The best time to visit Alaska's Inside Passage depends on what type of trip you're planning and what you want to do while visiting. Like many travelers, I prefer to go during the warmer months (mid-June through mid-August ). If you're visiting in August, pack a raincoat because it's one of the wettest months. Summer is also when you'll have the most daylight (typically around 18 hours), and it's prime time for bear spotting due to salmon spawning. If seeing the northern lights is on your wish list, head there mid-August through mid-April, especially during the equinoxes. The winter months are less expensive and less crowded, but also colder and darker. Approximately 1.68 million travelers arrived in Alaska via cruise ship in 2024, making it the most popular way to reach the 49th state. To access the Inside Passage by plane, fly into Juneau or Ketchikan International Airport. Alaska Airlines, which recently merged with Hawaiian Airlines, has two flights a day from Seattle to Juneau that take about 2.5 hours. If you're not in a hurry, you can catch an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry from Bellingham, Washington, to Ketchikan, but it takes 38 hours. You can also drive the 1,700 miles along the Alaska-Canada Highway (ALCAN) in about the same time. The capital city of Juneau is rich in history and Indigenous culture, plus it offers plenty of outdoor adventure, shopping, and dining. I love starting with the scenic Goldbelt Tram ride to Mount Roberts, followed by a visit to the Juneau-Douglas City Museum or Alaska State Museum. Time permitting, include a short hike at Mendenhall Glacier. Strolling along colorful and historic Creek Street is one of my favorite things to do in Ketchikan. Browse souvenir shops selling Indigenous wood carvings, caribou fur, and gold nugget jewelry; check out the lively Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show; or learn about Indigenous art and traditions at the Totem Heritage Center. The Tlingit people are the town's original inhabitants, but the area is also known for its Russian heritage, displayed through the Russian Bishop's House and St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The annual Sitka Music Festival, held in June, brings world-class chamber music. I also take advantage of the outdoor activities, including hiking, whale watching, and fishing. Skagway is steeped in gold rush history with plenty of related activities and exhibits. Hop on the train for a scenic journey to White Pass, visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, pan for gold, browse the gold rush cemeteries, or grab a meal at the bustling Red Onion Saloon. With few roads connecting the small towns and islands in Alaska's Inside Passage, most visitors explore the area via small or large cruise ships. If you're going on your own, you can get from town to town on ferries or seaplanes. Once in town, most places are within walking distance. By Water: The AMHS has 15 ferry ports in the Inside Passage, making it an easy, affordable, and scenic way to get around, though not quickly. For long trips, travelers can book cabins with bunk beds and full bathrooms. Another way to access the area is by water taxi in and around places such as Gustavus, Ketchikan, and Wrangell. By Air: Traveling by seaplane is not the most economical option, but it's a relatively quick way to get from place to place where there are no roads. Plus, the views from above are breathtaking. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Students learn to lead on the land in ground-breaking university program
Canada's first Indigenous land stewardship degree puts Indigenous law, governance and connection to land at the heart of environmental education. Hayley Toderian, 29, waited two years to enrol. Now, she's part of the inaugural class in a groundbreaking undergraduate program at the University of British Columbia, the first of its kind. The four-year degree was created in response to growing recognition of the need for Indigenous-led approaches to land management and environmental challenges, land reclamation and environmental policy. For Toderian, who is a member of Sts'ailes First Nation (also known as Chehalis First Nation in BC), the program offered something she had been searching for a long time. She began post-secondary studies in 2019 at Langara College in general studies, but found herself drawn to courses focused on Indigenous topics. In 2021, she transferred to the Native Education College to enroll in a one-year certificate program in Indigenous land stewardship — at the time, the only one of its kind in the country. That's where she first heard UBC was developing a full undergraduate degree in the field. The program hadn't launched, but she decided to wait. 'Not everybody gets told that their dream school program will be happening in two years,' she said. The program, housed within UBC Forestry, goes beyond ecological practices to include the political, legal and ethical frameworks of Indigenous land stewardship. 'A lot of peoples' minds automatically go to using fire to shape nature, or how you hunt or fish or gather,' said Garry Merkel, a Tahltan forester and the director of the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship at UBC Forestry. 'But what we're talking about here is: how do you build practical land stewardship systems that can function effectively in today's world?' Merkel said students explore Indigenous systems of land tenure, resource allocation and dispute resolution — frameworks developed and maintained by communities over centuries. Their goal is to equip graduates with the tools to implement stewardship strategies in collaboration with governments, industry and, most importantly, Indigenous communities. With the ongoing implementation of the DRIPA in British Columbia and answering the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, Indigenous stewardship is at the forefront of many nations' agendas, said Carrie Anne Vanderhoop, who is Haida of Old Massett, director of the Haida Gwaii Institute and a sessional lecturer in UBC's Indigenous Land Stewardship program. As many First Nations sign co-management agreements with provincial and federal governments, the program aims to prepare students to take on these responsibilities. 'It is important that we have these younger people coming up and taking leadership, preparing themselves for leadership roles and being at these tables and making decisions about what happens in their territories,' said Vanderhoop. The program is grounded in an earth-centred worldview that challenges dominant Western paradigms. That includes understanding how oral Indigenous legal traditions, deeply rooted in specific territories, can be applied in contemporary contexts such as co-management agreements or negotiations with industry. 'Our assumption is that most Indigenous communities believe you are one equal part of land, and everything else has just as much right to be here as you do,' said Merkel. 'We are not in control. We are not dominant. Nature is not there to serve us.' He said this philosophy extends to how decisions are made — through consensus, respect for diverse perspectives and recognition that human well-being is inseparable from the health of the ecosystem. The program was co-developed with Elders, knowledge keepers and community members and is taught by Indigenous lecturers. 'We're trying to build a movement with the program,' Merkel said. Their vision is to be part of a globally recognized standard for environmental management by 2050 that integrates Indigenous knowledge and other sciences. The program's first cohort of 12 students began in September. UBC designed the program to be accessible — it is mostly remote, allowing students across the country to stay in their communities or territories while pursuing their degrees. Financial support, including $8.5 million from the Mastercard Foundation, is available to Indigenous students. The funding helps cover tuition, relocation and work support, making it easier for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to pursue the program without losing cultural and geographic ties. Toderian, who grew up in Port Coquitlam without a connection to her band, said she felt a 'strong sense of longing' for culture. Over the past decade, she's been rebuilding that relationship, a journey that the program has helped deepen. 'This program changed my relationship with Canada,' she added. 'It helped me understand not only my culture but also how I can help my community and the land that sustains us.' Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer
National Observer
06-05-2025
- General
- National Observer
Students learn to lead on the land in ground-breaking university program
Canada's first Indigenous land stewardship degree puts Indigenous law, governance and connection to land at the heart of environmental education. Hayley Toderian, 29, waited two years to enrol. Now, she's part of the inaugural class in a groundbreaking undergraduate program at the University of British Columbia, the first of its kind. The four-year degree was created in response to growing recognition of the need for Indigenous-led approaches to land management and environmental challenges, land reclamation and environmental policy. For Toderian, who is a member of Sts'ailes First Nation (also known as Chehalis First Nation in BC), the program offered something she had been searching for a long time. She began post-secondary studies in 2019 at Langara College in general studies, but found herself drawn to courses focused on Indigenous topics. In 2021, she transferred to the Native Education College to enroll in a one-year certificate program in Indigenous land stewardship — at the time, the only one of its kind in the country. That's where she first heard UBC was developing a full undergraduate degree in the field. The program hadn't launched, but she decided to wait. 'Not everybody gets told that their dream school program will be happening in two years,' she said. 'We're trying to build a movement with the program,' said Garry Merkel, a Tahltan forester and the director of the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship at UBC Forestry. The program, housed within UBC Forestry, goes beyond ecological practices to include the political, legal and ethical frameworks of Indigenous land stewardship. 'A lot of peoples' minds automatically go to using fire to shape nature, or how you hunt or fish or gather,' said Garry Merkel, a Tahltan forester and the director of the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship at UBC Forestry. 'But what we're talking about here is: how do you build practical land stewardship systems that can function effectively in today's world?' Merkel said students explore Indigenous systems of land tenure, resource allocation and dispute resolution — frameworks developed and maintained by communities over centuries. Their goal is to equip graduates with the tools to implement stewardship strategies in collaboration with governments, industry and, most importantly, Indigenous communities. With the ongoing implementation of the DRIPA in British Columbia and answering the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, Indigenous stewardship is at the forefront of many nations' agendas, said Carrie Anne Vanderhoop, who is Haida of Old Massett, director of the Haida Gwaii Institute and a sessional lecturer in UBC's Indigenous Land Stewardship program. As many First Nations sign co-management agreements with provincial and federal governments, the program aims to prepare students to take on these responsibilities. 'It is important that we have these younger people coming up and taking leadership, preparing themselves for leadership roles and being at these tables and making decisions about what happens in their territories," said Vanderhoop. The program is grounded in an earth-centred worldview that challenges dominant Western paradigms. That includes understanding how oral Indigenous legal traditions, deeply rooted in specific territories, can be applied in contemporary contexts such as co-management agreements or negotiations with industry. 'Our assumption is that most Indigenous communities believe you are one equal part of land, and everything else has just as much right to be here as you do,' said Merkel. 'We are not in control. We are not dominant. Nature is not there to serve us.' He said this philosophy extends to how decisions are made — through consensus, respect for diverse perspectives and recognition that human well-being is inseparable from the health of the ecosystem. The program was co-developed with Elders, knowledge keepers and community members and is taught by Indigenous lecturers. 'We're trying to build a movement with the program,' Merkel said. Their vision is to be part of a globally recognized standard for environmental management by 2050 that integrates Indigenous knowledge and other sciences. The program's first cohort of 12 students began in September. UBC designed the program to be accessible — it is mostly remote, allowing students across the country to stay in their communities or territories while pursuing their degrees. Financial support, including $8.5 million from the Mastercard Foundation, is available to Indigenous students. The funding helps cover tuition, relocation and work support, making it easier for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to pursue the program without losing cultural and geographic ties. Toderian, who grew up in Port Coquitlam without a connection to her band, said she felt a 'strong sense of longing' for culture. Over the past decade, she's been rebuilding that relationship, a journey that the program has helped deepen. 'This program changed my relationship with Canada,' she added. 'It helped me understand not only my culture but also how I can help my community and the land that sustains us.'
CBC
25-04-2025
- CBC
Police on Haida Gwaii arrest man in suspected hit-and-run homicide
Police on Haida Gwaii have made an arrest in what police believe was a targeted hit-and-run on the afternoon of April 22. The victim, Luke Pearson, was struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate and died later of his injuries. A 32-year-old Skidegate man has been arrested, according to Daajing Giids RCMP. Pearson, who was Haida, was identified as kind, generous and caring in a statement released by the Council of the Haida Nation. The statement urges residents to offer support to Pearson's family and to share information with police. The Skidegate Band Council imposed a curfew on all Skidegate Indian Reserves from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the day Pearson was killed, citing an "emergency situation." In the time between the crash and the arrest, community members took to social media, questioning the RCMP's handling of the case. In a statement, Daajing Giids RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Manseau says at no time did police feel there was a greater risk to the community.
CBC
19-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Why a statue by a Haida artist is featured in Quebec City's Plains of Abraham
The historic Plains of Abraham is where one of the most pivotal battles in the Seven Years' War was fought, that ultimately led to the formation of Canada as we know it. Now, a statue called Three Watchmen by Haida artist James Hart stands there. Hart and James Robert, the chair of the National Battlefields Commission, explained the statue's significance and how it came to be installed.
