In our fast-paced, global, and self-optimizing world, ancient cultures are at risk of being lost. One such culture is that of the Haida in the northwest of Canada, one of 600 First Nations peoples in the country. Exploited and oppressed for many years by the “western population” and severely decimated by introduced diseases, today only about 2000 Haida remain. They are primarily based on Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off the coast of British Columbia in western Canada.
Skil Jaadee White grew up in Old Masset. From a young age, her parents and grandparents taught her the Haida language. Since childhood, she has been engaged with the art and culture of her ancestors, which are deeply rooted in her family. She has felt a strong connection to her ancestral history throughout her life. Nevertheless, the young woman moved south to study, where she studied art in the modern metropolis of Vancouver. Today, she has returned to her roots. She lives again in Old Masset, and in addition to her work as an artist, she now teaches the Haida language herself. Her hope is that the language will be preserved in future Haida generations.
A film by Anna Pflüger
A production commissioned by ZDF in collaboration with ARTE
Supported by the Rheinland-Pfalz Media Funding
43 min | 2021