The Watchmen Program

Top of an unpainted pole at the Haida Cultural Centre. Note the three watchmen at the very top.

At the top of the frontal pole of every Haida chief’s house are carved three human figures.  They symbolize the Watchmen who monitor the earth, sky, and water to keep the village safe.  They represent the actual humans who fulfilled these roles. 

As explained in the Visitor Guidebook, the Skidegate Band Council began the current Watchmen Program in 1981.  It was built upon earlier informal efforts intended to establish a Haida presence to protect their most important village sites.  The numbers of visitors to south Moresby and SGang Gwaay Islands were growing rapidly, and the Haida were concerned about protecting “the villages and cultural resources” located there.  Today’s Watchmen work closely with Parks Canada and the park wardens based within Gwaii Haanas since 1990. 

Windy Bay watchman Leah (left) with Mary Jeanne by giant cedar.

Watchmen are selected from volunteers who have Haida ancestry and who go through an extended orientation program.  They live at five village sites from May to September, in one-month rotations.  The Watchmen we met ranged from young adults in their early twenties to tribal elders.  At two sites, we met families with young children who found life at these sites an important experience for their children.