Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site

Respecting the Heritage of Gwaii Haanas

Gwaii Haanas' unique cultural and ecological features are fragile. There are a number of things you can do to help sustain the integrity of these features, by adhering to the Gwaii Haanas Visitor Guidelines.

Archaeological Sites

Wherever you find an accessible fringe of shoreline here, it is a safe bet that it has been used in the past by the Haida. There may be grass-grown middens of broken shell, or piled rocks outlining canoe landings; depressions or moss-covered logs may be all that remain of fallen house posts, or totem or mortuary poles.

Treat everywhere you land as a potential archaeological site. Do not remove or disturb artifacts, bones or other cultural remains. Do not dig into middens, or strip bark from trees.

Nesting Birds

One of the outstanding features of Gwaii Haanas is the number of birds that breed here from mid-April through July. But be aware that peregrine falcons and many seabirds will abandon sites, eggs or chicks if they are disturbed.

• Do not approach nests or land on obvious bird colonies.
• Avoid using lights - flashlights, campfires, boat lights - near colonies. Some birds come ashore only at night and may be disoriented by any light. Noise such as loud voices, boat engines or music can also disturb breeding birds.
• Walk carefully. You may be in the midst of a colony without realizing it. Many seabirds nest in burrows that can be hard to see and may collapse under your weight.

Marine Life

The waters around Gwaii Haanas teem with life. They have supported the traditional way of life of the Haida people for generations, but they cannot stand unlimited harvesting.

If fishing is to be part of your experience, limit it to catching only what you will eat during your stay. Catch-and-release is not recommended - salmon treated in this way are often severely traumatized and do not survive.

Try not to crush barnacles and other marine life as you explore the seashore. Life is hard enough in sea battered intertidal pools! If you pick up shells, rocks, crab or other creatures, take care to replace them where you found them.

Red Rock Crab
© Parks Canada