Located in beautiful T’aalan Stl’ang, the “Beach that Has Everything,” is a youth program working to reconnect Haida Gwaii’s youth with their heritage, culture and Xaad Kil language.
The beginning of T’aalan Stl’ang
On the Northwest Coast of Haida Gwaii, the Rediscovery T’aalan Stl’ang Haida Gwaii Society works with youth to reinforce mental well-being and support positive self-esteem.
The First People’s Cultural Council’s Braided Knowledge Grant supports B.C. First Nations revitalization projects that connect arts, language, heritage and culture. The Rediscovery Society uses this grant to support programs for youth that include the Xaad Kil (Haida language) and cultural activities in important places on the land.
Beginning in the early 1970s, the community expressed interest in revitalizing and rediscovering Haida values and ways of life. The Rediscovery T’aalan Stl’ang camp officially started operations in 1978. Since then, it has offered opportunities such as family camps and Xaad Kil immersion camps, as well as annual programs for youth between the ages of 10 and 18. Program participants learn about forest and ocean appreciation, Haida heritage, language, land stewardship and cultural values led by Haida Elders, Knowledge Keepers and staff.
Connecting Youth With Their Land
The Rediscovery Society’s purpose is to vitalize the Haida culture by engaging youth with Haida Elders and teaching their values through the philosophies of Yahgudáng (Respect) and Ginn ‘wáadluwaan gud .ahl kwáagíidang (Everything depends on everything else). Building skills with Haida youth and their families helps in the society’s mission to strengthen the connections between the Haida culture and the natural world. These connections build positive opportunities for youth, Elders and families to share knowledge, language and respect for the land, waters and themselves.
The society’s Executive Director, Gabriel Serdult, plays a pivotal role in coordinating the program’s events and activities.
As Gabriel explains, “The project aims to share traditional knowledge from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, covering a diverse array of teachings. These include cedar or spruce root weaving, language practices, songs, dances, storytelling, harvesting and food gathering. Furthermore, youth are actively engaged in learning Haida form-line design, painting and beading.”
The camp immerses youth in outdoor activities to support the development of stewardship, survival, health, physical, cultural and social skills and knowledge. Program participants explore the land’s stories by delving into the historical knowledge of the traditional territory’s cultural spaces on the nation’s lands and waters. The ancestral teachings of T’aalan Stl’ang use gathering places and other sites of significance, such as Yaku, Kiusta and Dadens villages, as well as the rare triple mortuary pole.
Passing on their knowledge and language
Revitalizing the Xaad Kil language is a large focus for the Rediscovery Program, which uses technology to document and digitize their knowledge and language. “The integration of technology, particularly digital resources, plays a pivotal role in increasing accessibility and ensuring the continued relevance of cultural teachings in contemporary contexts. A significant emphasis is placed on community engagement, encouraging the active involvement of community members, especially the youth, in documenting, adapting and expanding cultural initiatives,” Gabriel notes.
The society also works with the resource team at Xaad Kil Nee (Haida Language House) in Old Masset for Xaad Kil translations and other learning resources. The teachings passed on to the youth from Elders and Knowledge Keepers is been documented for future use to ensure the preservation of this knowledge. The Xaad Kil language is deeply connected to teachings of land and culture. The language holds their knowledge and intangible heritage lessons in the form of songs, stories and more.
Braided Knowledge Grant – Applications now open
The first of its kind in Canada, FPCC’s Braided Knowledge Grant supports B.C. First Nations in projects that weave together language, arts, culture and heritage practices and their connection to Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We are proud to support projects like the camp provided by the Rediscovery Society and the Haida Nation in their passionate efforts to connect youth to their cultural heritage and language.
“This funding offers more than financial support; it is a catalyst for fostering deep connections within the community and for revitalizing traditions. By engaging Elders and youth in inter-generational learning, FPCC programs build bridges between generations and contribute to the long-term sustainability of cultural initiatives. Applying for FPCC funding is an investment in the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous cultures, fostering a legacy that transcends generations and strengthens the fabric of community identity,” shares Gabriel.
For more information on the FPCC Heritage program that supported this project click here: Braided Knowledge Grant.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about the Rediscovery T’aalan Stl’ang Haida Gwaii Society.
Explore more about FPCC’s Heritage grants.
Click here to read more stories about heritage projects.
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