Community Projects

Haida Sails Resurgence Project

The Haida Sails Project is a cultural initiative led by a matrilineal family of weavers, working alongside knowledge holders and community. This project is bringing back the cedar woven sail, once an essential part of Haida trade and travel.

Through researching records and stories, exploring materials and techniques, and sharing knowledge with other Indigenous Nations, the project is creating the first Haida cedar woven sail in generations. It is both a cultural resurgence and a celebration of the strength and creativity of the Haida people—past and present.

To learn more about this project visit haidasails.com

The Community Ravenstail Robe Project is led by master weaver Evelyn Vanderhoop and woven in collaboration with her apprentices. This robe revives an ancient Ravenstail style that weaves sea otter fur directly into the design—a technique that has not been practiced by Indigenous weavers for centuries.

While Ravenstail weaving has seen a strong revival in recent decades, this particular style and method are being brought back through shared learning and dedicated hands. Woven together by many apprentices, the robe is being created with the intention that it will be available for the communities and people of Haida Gwaii to use and carry forward.

This project is funded by Canada Council of the Arts