Online Learning with the
Haida Gwaii Institute


Haida Gwaii Online Learning Winter Term 1 (Fall) 2022

September 6th to December 7th, 2022

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HGSE 360 - Ocean People, Culture, and Tradition

Instructor: Gid Yahk'ii Sean Young

Weekly synchronous classes. Days and times TBD.

The Haida people have lived within the marine environment since time immemorial. This introductory course of the Haida Gwaii Semester in Marine Conservation will be an in-depth study of Traditional Haida Culture from the ‘pre-contact’ era before 1774, to modern day 21st century Haida Culture. The focus of our learning will be on how the Haida people and culture are intricately related to their marine environment; how they were sustained by and managed traditional marine resources, and how management has changed over time.

This course will cover important topics including Haida oral histories, ceremonial practices, and unique world views as they pertain to marine conservation. As well, the technologies used throughout time to harvest, prepare, and store food will be studied. The history of the fur trade will be included as an example of the influence of western culture on Haida culture regarding marine resources. Archaeological examples, both textual and physical, will be drawn upon throughout the course.

There will be multiple guest speakers from the local Haida Gwaii community including elders, traditional food gatherers and professional archaeologists. We will make virtual visits to view the collection of marine harvesting tools at the Haida Gwaii Museum. The course will also include multiple virtual field trips to several types of archaeological sites and marine harvesting sites throughout Haida Gwaii (i.e. Fish weirs, shell middens, village sites, etc.).


HGSE 361 - Fisheries Co-Management of the North Pacific Coast

Instructor: Dr. Sarah Harper

Weekly synchronous classes. Days and times TBD.

This course exposes students to concepts of fisheries co-management with a focus on the North Pacific Coast; while also providing examples of other co-management structures regionally and internationally. This course also provides an overview of the historical context of co-management structures in the North Pacific Coast, and court decisions that have become landmarks in the recognition of Aboriginal rights in managing local resources. More specifically, through local guest speakers, this course offers a perspective of traditional fisheries and marine management by the Haida Nation within Haida territorial waters, as well as the local settler fishing community of Haida Gwaii, and representatives of the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.