Skedans ( or )
is a historic
Haida village located on
Louise Island at the head of
Cumshewa Inlet in
Haida Gwaii
Haida Gwaii (; / , literally "Islands of the Haida people"), previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago located between off the British Columbia Coast, northern Pacific coast in the Canadian province of British Columbia ...
,
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
, Canada.
The village is located within the ''K'uuna Gwaay Conservancy,'' administered by the
Council of the Haida Nation, and is a
National Historic Site of Canada.
Names
The name Skedans is derived from the name of the village's reigning chief during the
maritime fur trade, Gida'nsta, a Haida term of respect meaning "from his daughter."
The village was also known by two Haida names. The first, Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay meaning "Village at the Edge", refers to its geographical position on the edge of a small peninsula.
The second, , meaning "Grizzly Bear Village", references the prominent depictions of
grizzly bear
The grizzly bear (''Ursus arctos horribilis''), also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America.
In addition to the mainland grizzly (''Ursus arctos horr ...
s on the totem poles and other artwork adorning the village.
See also
*
List of Haida villages
References
External links
"Skedans", Canadian Museum of Civilization website"K'uuna Llnagaay (Skedans, Koona)", Parks Canada website
Haida villages
Archaeological sites in British Columbia
National Historic Sites in British Columbia
{{FirstNations-stub