Haida Sails
Resurgence Project
Reviving ancient Haida cedar sails:
a powerful journey of cultural resurgence and maritime heritage
The Haida Sails Resurgence Project is a groundbreaking, multi-year initiative that brings together Haida weavers, knowledge holders, and community members to revive the ancestral practice of cedar sail making. The project began in 2024 and continues to grow as the work deepens and expands.
For generations, the Haida were renowned for their craftsmanship and seafaring skills. Ocean-going canoes, crafted from old-growth cedar and fitted with cedar sails, transformed the sea from a barrier into a pathway, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and communication with other Indigenous nations.
While Haida canoes survived colonization, cedar sails faded from use, remaining only in sketches and historical accounts. But the Haida’s connection to the ocean and navigation never disappeared, as seen through oral histories and archaeological evidence.
The Haida Sails Resurgence Project facilitates the reawakening of cedar woven sail-making among Haida weavers supported through Haida ancestors' resilience, innovation, and self-determination.
The project has been enriched by the guidance of traditional knowledge holders from Guam, Aotearoa and Hawai’i, fostering a collective effort to reawaken the technology needed for Haida sailmaking.
Research & Knowledge Gathering
The project began with extensive research into Haida sailing traditions, museum collections, and archival materials, as well as modern techniques and tools. This phase continues to evolve through visits with Indigenous communities across the Pacific, including journeys to Guam, Hawai‘i, and Aotearoa. These cross-cultural exchanges have offered valuable insight into traditional weaving techniques, sail construction, and the stories that live within these practices.
Material Harvesting & Preparation
Reviving Haida sail making also means reconnecting with the land and waters that provide the materials. A key phase of this project involves harvesting and preparing traditional fibres such as cedar bark and spruce roots. This process requires patience, care, and skill—from harvesting at the right time of year, to processing and preparing each piece for weaving.
Weaving the Sail
With materials prepared and knowledge gathered, the weaving of the full-sized sail will begin. The first sail is planned for completion by October 2025.
Project Phases
The Resurgence of Haida Sail Making Project is a multi-year journey rooted in cultural revitalization, collaboration, and artistry. Each phase of this work is grounded in deep respect for ancestral knowledge, the land, and the ocean that connects us.
Support our Project
The Haida Sails Resurgence Project is proudly facilitated by the Precious Culture Society, an Indigenous-led arts and culture society based on Haida Gwaii. Our mission is to support the revitalization of Haida cultural practices through community-driven projects, traditional art forms, and intergenerational knowledge sharing.
Your support helps us carry forward this work—harvesting materials, hosting weaving sessions, and creating space for cultural connection across oceans and generations.
Click the button below to donate via PayPal. You can choose from suggested amounts ($50, $200, $1000) or enter a custom contribution.
If you would like to make a donation and require a charitable tax receipt, please contact us directly at info@haidasails.com.