Jeffrey Gibbs

Haida Gwaii (an island nation in the North Pacific Ocean, located off the west coast of Canada). August 15, 2013

Doing finishing touches on the "Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole" that Jaalen Edenshaw, his brother, and other helpers spent a year carving from a single cedar tree.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

The pole details "the interconnections between land, sea and people through human, animal and supernatural carved forms."

Haida Gwaii, 2013

The Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole commemorates twenty years protection of the ecological and cultural wonders of the southern wilderness region of Haida Gwaii called Gwaii Haanas (Place of Wonder and Beauty).

Haida Gwaii, 2013

About four hundred people arrived by boat in the remote wilderness of Windy Bay for the pole raising ceremony. There was tremendous excitement in the air, as it was the first raising of a Haida monumental pole in the southern islands of Gwaii Haanas in at least 130 years.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Two traditional Haida ocean canoes paddled by young people arrived in the traditional way: coming in stern first and asking permission of the chief to come ashore. Permission was granted by a Hereditary Chief standing close to the water's edge.

Greeting Hereditary Chiefs.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Gwaag̱anad (Diane Brown), one of the key warriors who helped protect Gwaii Haanas from industrial logging, washes the pole with tree branch dipped in sea water whilst she says aloud prayers in the Haida language. Meanwhile, the young girls cover the pole with eagle down in a gesture of reverence.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Carvers Gwaai Edenshaw (left) and Tyler York (right) dance around the pole just prior to it being hoisted into position by hundreds of people pulling on ropes. The meaning of this performance is open to interpretation. Some say it is to clear the air; to excise the demons of a year of carving the pole. Or it could be seen as putting the finishing touches on the creation of the pole.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

In Hik'yah (Windy Bay), Haida Gwaii, August 15, 2013

Hundreds of people on several ropes were given direction by a foreman. The ropes stretched down the beach!

Haida Gwaii, 2013

The pole raising ceremony was abruptly interrupted when a supernatural being, Gaagixiid, which is a wild man of the forest, sprang from the bush with shouts and bold body movements. The Gaagixiid was performed brilliantly by Donnie Edenshaw.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

The esteemed Haida leader, Guujaaw, was on hand to drive the Gaagixiid (pronounced guh-geat) back into the forest.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Golie Hans (right) is a good friend. I've known her since I first started visiting Haida Gwaii more than twenty five years ago. She has been the pioneer in Haida language programs since 1979. She is also one of the original Haida Gwaii Watchmen who live and work in Gwaii Haanas during the summers. Golie is beloved by so many people.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Haida Gwaii, 2013

This Haida pole is unique in that it depicts the warriors/activists who helped halt the industrial logging in Gwaii Haanas years ago. Master Carver, Jaalen Edenshaw, says that the pole honours those who fought to protect Gwaii Haanas, and continue to do so.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

There were choruses of wonderful Haida songs after the pole was raised.

Haida Gwaii, 2012

The magnificent ancient rainforest of Hik'yah (Windy Bay).

Haida Gwaii, 2013

"Looking Around and Blinking House" was built in Hik'yah (Windy Bay) by a crew of Haidas during the height of the conflict to protect Gwaii Haanas. I was there during the last ten days of its construction. Putting up the longhouse was a political statement about the Haida Nation's jurisdiction of the area and their intention to protect it.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

At the Legacy Pole Feast in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii on August 17, 2013.

On August 17, 2013, two days after the pole raising, there was a Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole Feast for 1,000 people in Skidegate. The event started in the mid-afternoon and ended at 2am.

At the Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole Feast. Haida Gwaii, 2013

This photographs (and others like it) were taken with a slow shutter speed (about 1-2 seconds) with a flash burst during the exposure. This technique creates both the blurry parts and the elements that are in focus.

Haida Gwaii, 2013

Dancing the light fantastic.

Haida Gwaii, 2013