Haida Gwaii wins 7-wonders of BC vote

A couple looks at ancient Haida poles on Anthony Island in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. Photo: PNG files

A couple looks at ancient Haida poles on Anthony Island in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
Photo: PNG files

Adapted from The Province
Level 2

Readers of The Province newspaper named the Seven Wonders of BC. The Haida Gwaii won.

Andrew Merilees is mayor of the Village of Masset. He says, “It’s an amazing place.”

Read the PDF. Try the Exercise.

Visit the WCR links:

  • Learn more about the Haida Gwaii here on The Westcoast Reader website.
  • Read about a new totem pole for the Haida Gwaii.

Visit external links:

The Haida Gwaii are First Nations people. The Haida Gwaii live on a group of islands.

There are 150 islands in the group. Many of the islands are very small. The islands are north of Vancouver Island.

The area is isolated. It is difficult to get to Haida Gwaii. You can fly there in 2 hours from Vancouver.

The villages, heritage site and art are special. Bill Reid carved a totem pole that stands there.

The Seven Wonders of BC were:

  1. Haida Gwaii
  2. Long Beach
  3. Kermode bear (Spirit bear)
  4. Cathedral Grove
  5. Helmcken Falls
  6. Adams River sockeye run
  7. Stawamus Chief
A Bill Reid sculpture called The Raven and First Men.

A Bill Reid sculpture called The Raven and First Men.

This sculpture is carved from yellow cedar. The carver was Bill Reid. Bill Reid is a famous Haida artist.

The sculpture is called The Raven and First Men. It is on display in the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.

The carving shows the Haida story of human creation.

Raven walked alone on the sand. One day he found a clamshell. Small humans were inside. He helped them get out. They became the first Haida.