Haida
From BME Encyclopedia
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The Haida are a band/tribe whose territory include the Queen Charlotte Islands and parts of southern Alaska. Their art is considered some of the best in the world, and it is steeped in meaning that is often lost upon Westerners. Extreme care should be taken when considering a Haida or Haida-inspired tattoo to understand the spiritual and cultural meaning of the design.
Robert Davidson of the t'saalth laanaas clan said,
"We Haida were surrounded by art. Art was one with culture. Art was our only written language. Throughout our history, it has been the art that has kept our spirits alive. Art is a gift from the spirit world. We all have the ability to visualize: that is our connection with the spirit world."
In Haida it is said,"Ginn ʔwaadluwaan gudʔahl Kwaagiidang" — or in English, "Everything depends on everything else."
