Haida (Noun)
Meaning 1
The Na-Dene language of the Haida.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The Haida language, a part of the Na-Dene language family, is traditionally spoken by the Haida people who mainly inhabit the Haida Gwaii archipelago in British Columbia, Canada.
- Elders often share stories in Haida that date back generations.
- The unique beauty of the Haida language remains an important connection to Haida culture.
- Children learning Haida in school often write it with the help of a chart of unique and phonetic alphabet characters.
- Efforts to save the declining number of fluent Haida speakers are now expanding through language immersion programs.
Meaning 2
A member of a seafaring group of North American Indians who lived on the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southwestern Alaska.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The Haida traditionally resided on Haida Gwaii, a group of islands located off the coast of British Columbia.
- Historical records suggest the Haida were skilled whalers and traded extensively with neighboring tribes.
- The Haida were known for their advanced woodworking skills, particularly in the construction of totem poles.
- Throughout their history, the Haida developed a complex system of social classes and hereditary privileges.
- Haida culture and art have had a significant influence on the broader North American Native American art movement.