Kelly Date May 13, 2010

I know it’s a bit early to be reporting in, but wanted to do an update of everything that’s happened since arriving in Skidegate. First, I’ve met a ton of really nice people, who have all been welcoming and open. I've also been invited to my first potlatch which is absolutely wonderful. I plan on being there at some point this Saturday, but am scheduled to work for a good chunk of the day so will probably miss out on some of the festivities.

I have also been trying to work out an opportunity to do some conservation work with Ancient Murrlets, a small bird whose habitat is on Louise Island, just of Graham Island. Apparently, they are endangered and we get to catch and tag them and let them go. I guess the catching is easy as they walk 5 km through the forest, on very short legs, to get to the waters edge and then swim a great

distance to reach their parents who call to them. Cute little things and I really hope to get a chance to do this. Nick, the son of the lady I’m staying with, is doing this with his high school classmates and asked if I was interested in helping out.

The Qay (pronounced Kii) Cultural Centre is about a ten minute walk from where I’m staying and the township itself is a further ten minute walk down the road. Of course there is a coffee shop and internet service at the end of the route so I’ve spent quite a lot of time walking since arriving. The views are spectacular and everything is right on the bay so it is very beautiful. Apparently, the whales were in the bay just the week before, but they should come back so I’m sure to get a chance to take some photos.

The ferry coming into town was so amazing. We arrived just as they sun came up behind us, which lit up the whole town. I've attached one picture of this and several others I thought were striking. I’ve included a few pictures of totem poles as well to give you an idea of what I get to look at everyday. There are lots of eagles around, and land otters, and bears etc. I took a tour just this afternoon on the totem poles which was very interesting. Apparently there are only 13 clans (large family groups) remaining on the islands.

The rest were killed off during in the 1600's - 1800' from small pox epidemics. The estimate I heard was that the population went from 30,000 down to about 600-800 individuals at its lowest. The fan to the right is lined with fur and was done by an artist in Skidegate. It is really quite beautiful and I was able to take photos of it for the marketing fellow.

Other words that you need to know... well maybe not, are "Gouw", which means salmon eggs on the kelp and "Chow" which is a rude word for certain parts of one's anatomy. Just so you know. Another phrase used to greet people at the cultural centre is Siing Gaay Laaw, which means "Good Day". The spelling is left up to a best guess as traditionally they did not have a written language it was story based and passed on from generation to generation through clan affiliation and elders. I've learned much already and will share other things as they come up.

I'll blog again this coming Sunday and should have some photos of the potlatch to share with you. Have a great day .... I have to get back to work.

Hawaa (how-wah), or thank you in Haida.

Kelly.