Shelter
Haida houses were called Longhouses. The longhouses were made from large cedar trees. Because food was available, the Haida tribe did not move around. The houses were together to make a village. The front of the house was called Kwakwa'akw. The Kwakwa'akw had totem poles with the family's crest. The roof was low so that it was easier to keep warm in the winter. There were no windows because they did not have glass. Besides the door, there was one openning in the roof so that the smoke could leave the house. Fire pits were made in the house for heat, to cook with and for light. Many families shared one longhouse. They slept in bunkbeds. On top of the bunkbeds, the family had open shelves. Below the bunkbed, the family dug a hole to store food so that it stayed cool.
Model of Haida Longhouse
Haida Village
Haida Longhouse