Ceremonies

The parents in the Haida tribe would teach their kids in a different way then how our
parents teach us. Instead of going to school or being home schooled, the Haida kids
would watch their parents dance. The Haida adults would teach their children by stories,
by dancing, and by song.  

The Potlatch was the Haida biggest cerebration, it means to give. Unlike the parties that we have; at a Potlatch, the host would give the guests gifts. The richer the family the better the gifts. Potlatch was in ceremony to celebrate marriage or birth or death or "coming of age" birthday. It included food, drinks, singing and dancing. It could be as long as three weeks! An interesting fact about Potlatchs is the Dignity Potlatch. For example, if a Chief or Shaman was to fall off a canoe and loss his or her dignity, they would throw a Dignity Potlatch to regain their importance in the tribe.

Haida Dancers

                                                                                                                            

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