Haida Roots Language Preservation & Art

Haida Roots is a grassroots, indigenous, women-led 501c3 organization based in Seattle, WA. We are committed to helping preserve our critically endangered Xaad kíl (Haida language) for future generations. 

Haida Roots began doing this work to bring joy to our hurting community. We really need some joy! We found that reconnecting to our Xaad kíl brings faster healing. It brings back that sense of belonging that every human desires. Oxitocin rises when we sing our songs.

We are raising funds to host online Haida music classes for children and to disperse educational resources (videos, books, songs, curriculum) that we've been building, in our unique dialect to our community partners.

The reason why our language is endangered: 

"I always end my presentations by speaking about what healing from boarding school trauma looks like. The survivors I interviewed said a return of their tribal language and spirituality, “Language is medicine,” I was told, “Culture is treatment.” Healing is complex and will be up to individuals, communities, and tribes. Of great hope is Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s reintroduction of S. 1723, a bill to establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States. I call the US American Indian boarding school era America’s best kept secret.

Let the truth telling begin". - Dr. Denise K. Lajimodiere

IMPACT OF OUR WORK:

Current Community Condition

The few remaining first-language Haida speakers are all over 70 years old, with one Elder living in Alaska and fewer than ten Elders living in Canada, making it very difficult for the numerous Haida language learners living in Seattle to access Elders’ traditional ways of speaking and storytelling.

Haida Language in US & Canada: 

Haida is a language isolate and currently has three main dialects: one in the US (Alaska) and two in Canada (Massett, Skidegate). Haida Roots has found that Haida citizens’ ability to access and share Haida language revitalization programs and resources across the US-Canada border has been severely limited.

Speakers & Fluency Levels: “Haida language revitalization needs are urgent, as Haida is considered moribund, with less than 40 speakers remaining worldwide” - CCTHITA, 2020 

Haida Roots was able to capture precious footage of fluent Haida speakers conversations which we share freely on our Youtube channel:

INTERGENERATIONAL HAIDA LANGUAGE & REGALIA MAKING CLASSES 

Post Survey Reflections to Highlight: 

    -  "I really loved this experience so much and it was unlike any other experience I’ve had learning Haida! Learning Haida language while making regalia together as intergenerational families felt the most natural, generous, safe, impactful, beautiful, and joyful it has ever felt to me! I have been fortunate to learn Haida in many different formats and in many different spaces over years and this was truly one of the most connected I have ever felt to my culture, language, and community". - Haida Roots member

   -  "When I first started this journey with Haida Roots back in 2017, my heart was broken for my people who are suffering and my language which was dying. Today, I see a difference in myself and my levels of joy and our work is paying off as our babies are speaking our language and even composing songs in our language. Most of us have regalia now. You can really see a difference in how practicing our culture and language together has brought a deep healing in our little community". - Haida Roots member

SCOPE OF WORK: 

Recording new song compositions in the Haida language.

Recommending Creations by Haida Creators who are doing this work.

Learning old songs from recordings that Haida Elders made in the 1970’s & 80’s.

Developing learning resources such as videos, children's books, digital books, curriculum.

Sharing our language, art, songs and stories with all culture's and people's starting with our own. 

Creating online and in person language learning opportunities