The Haida are an Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast whose traditional homeland includes Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia and parts of southern Alaska, particularly Prince of Wales Island. Their language, Haida, is a linguistic isolate, meaning it has no known relatives. Once spoken widely across Haida territories, it is now considered endangered, though revitalization programs are helping to revive it among younger generations.
Historically, the Haida were renowned for their advanced seafaring, artistry, and social organization. They built large cedar canoes and elaborately carved totem poles that conveyed clan stories and spiritual significance. The Haida maintained complex clan systems based on matrilineal descent, and their villages were hubs of trade, culture, and political influence across the Northwest Coast. Contact with Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries brought disease, land displacement, and cultural suppression, but the Haida have continued to sustain a strong cultural and political identity.
Haida communities continue to uphold their cultural traditions while adapting to modern life. Many Haida people work in fishing, logging, tourism, and cultural arts, creating intricate carvings, weavings, and jewelry that are both artistic and spiritual expressions. Community events such as potlatches, dance performances, and canoe journeys celebrate ancestral heritage and kinship. Language immersion schools and cultural centers play a key role in educating youth and reconnecting them with Haida identity.
At the same time, Haida families face challenges common to many indigenous communities, including economic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and the lingering effects of colonization. Despite these struggles, the Haida people are known for their resilience, humor, and deep respect for the land and sea that sustain them.
Traditional Haida spirituality is rooted in respect for the interconnectedness of all living things. Their belief system recognizes a spiritual dimension in the natural world, with powerful beings such as Raven—the trickster and culture hero—playing central roles in oral traditions. Ceremonies, songs, and stories passed through generations convey lessons about balance, stewardship, and community.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missionaries—primarily Anglican and Presbyterian—introduced Christianity, and many Haida embraced it while maintaining aspects of their traditional worldview. Today, both traditional spiritual practices and Christian faith coexist within Haida communities, often blending reverence for creation with biblical faith.
The Haida people need continued support for language and cultural revitalization, ensuring that and ancestral knowledge are preserved for future generations. They need sustainable economic opportunities that align with their environmental values, helping families thrive without compromising traditional lands and resources. There is also a need for healing from the lasting impacts of colonization, residential schooling, and cultural loss.
Spiritually, the Haida need Christ-centered ministries that acknowledge their identity, affirm their dignity, and communicate God's truth in culturally meaningful ways.
Pray that Haida believers will grow strong in their faith and share the love of Christ in ways that affirm their dignity as God's children.
Pray for the development of community-led ministries and leaders who can serve both spiritual and practical needs with wisdom and compassion.
Pray that the Haida people would create a new heritage of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Haida believers to wholeheartedly embrace the Great Commission, preach the gospel, and make disciples of their people and the world around them.
Scripture Prayers for the Haida in Canada.
Alaska Native Language Center – Haida Language Resources
Hydaburg Cooperative Association – Cultural and Educational Programs
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian – Haida Culture and History
Ethnologue – Haida Language Overview
Wikipedia – Haida people and Haida language
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
