Colonial police action against the people of Haida Gwaii


The peoples of Haida Gwaii were a fiercely independent people and rejected outside control. Since first being sighted by Europeans in 1774 by Juan Pérez, at Langara Island there were many police actions against the Haida. This continued until the population was decimated in the mid-19th century, with a population of tens of thousands being reduced by smallpox to under a thousand. Hostile colonial administration further reduced the population to 588 by 1915.

Background

Cumshewa Haida

, was an important hereditary leader of the Haida people of Haida Gwaii on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. His name is believed to be of either Kwak'wala or Heiltsuk origin, meaning "rich at the mouth of the river". He is mentioned by Captain George Dixon who traded with him in 1787. In 1794 Cumshewa and his warriors massacred the crew of the American vessel Resolution. Cumshewa is commemorated on the map of the archipelago by Cumshewa Inlet, Cumshewa Mountain, Cumshewa Head, Cumshewa Island, the Cumshewa Rocks and the modern First Nations locality of Cumshewa.

Kaigani Haida

The Kaigani Haida live north of the Canadian and US border which cuts through the Dixon Entrance on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, United States.

Kunghit Haida

The people of SG̱ang Gwaay llnagaay are sometimes referred to as the Kunghit Haida, now known as Ninstints. The Kunghit Haida occupied the southern portion of the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, with territory stretching from Lyell Island to the farthest southern tip of the archipelago. They had approximately two dozen permanent villages, as well as other smaller seasonal settlements located near major resource areas. SG̱ang Gwaay Llanagaay was the location of several notable episodes in the early history of European contact and trade with the Haida. At the outset of the maritime fur trade, the village was visited in 1787 by George Dixon, who noted the Haidas who met them at sea were eager to trade with sea otter fur. This marked the initially amicable trade relations, where SG̱ang Gwaay Llanagaay was visited once again in 1788 by Charles Duncan, and twice in 1789 – first by Robert Gray then by his partner John Kendrick later that year, at which point the trade relationship turned hostile.

Skidegate Haida

Skidegate is a Haida community in Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the southeast coast of Graham Island.

Masset Haida

According to John T. Walbran the name Masset came from the Haida word Masst, or large island. Captain Douglas, on his second visit from Nootka Sound aboard the Iphigenia on June 19, 1789, named the bay leading to the inlet McIntyre's Bay. This name was used on the charts of Dixon and Meares. The American traders called the inlet, Hancock's River as shown in Ingraham's chart of 1792 after the American brig Hancock. In 1853 H.N. Knox of the Royal Navy, mate on, did a sketch survey of the harbour when the name Masset was adopted by the British. A survey was made in 1907 by Captain Learmouth on HMS Egeria. Masset's name in the local dialect of the Haida language is Uttewas, "white slope", probably referring to a small hill south of the village.

Incidents of violence between Haida and Trading ships

A list of some of the incidents of violence between the Haida and European took place since the first contact with Europeans.
YearShipShip NotesCaptainCompanyNationalityNotes
1861Albacore-classRoyal NavyBritishIn 1861 a party of Haida traders were plying their wares in Victoria when there was allegations of theft. The set sail and pursed the traders back to Haida Gwaii. On Cape Mudge on 17 May 1861, they attacked the Haida killing four and taking one casualty themselves.
1853ViragoSteam-sloopRoyal NavyBritishKunghit Haida attempt to capture the ship's two long-boats with crew on July 20
1853Vancouver184THBCBritishFlounders on Rose Spit and destroyed by crew to avoid plundering by the Haida
1852Susan SturgisSchoonerAmericanSusan Sturgis, which in 1852 was trading along the coast and at Skidegate was befriended by Chief Edenshaw, who joined the crew as guide and interpreter, bringing along with him some of his own men. Pulling into Masset Inlet to trade, the vessel was suddenly mass-boarded by the Masset Haida, who fought with Edenshaw and his few men who were trying to protect the crew. Word reached Chief Trader John Work at Fort Simpson in ten days and Work arrived to negotiate the release of Susan Sturgis' crew at the rate of $250 each for captain and mate, and $30 for each of the men. The vessel could not be saved because the Masset looted and destroyed her. A year later the British ship came to investigate those involved but couldn't prove that anyone present at the Haida settlement had taken part in the seizure of Susan Sturgis.
1851GeorgianaSloopAmericanFounders off Cumshewa Inlet. Ship is plundered and crew and passengers held for ransom.
1834VanoucverSchoonerHBCBritishBeached on Rose Spit is plundered by Haida on March 3
1821Hamilton232TAmericanFired into Skidegate village with the loss of at least three lives following the Haida's attack on the ship's shore party
1815ConstantinSloopRussianHaida attempt to capture the vessel at Kaigani
1806Vancouver285TAmericanAn attempt by the Skidegate Haida to seize the vessel is foiled
1806LydiaBrigAmericanSix Massett Haida are held hostage for furs and their village was fired upon for the actions of the Kaigani Haida at Kasaan a few days earlier
1802HettyAmericanTake chiefs for hostage to force trade
1801GlobeAmericanCaptain killed by the Skidgate in October
1799ElizaJ & J. H. PerkinsAmericanScotseye, a Cumshewa chief and his brother are delivered to the Kaigani for execution
1799CheerfulMacaoBritishShore party is attacked with daggers and muskets killing the 2nd officier and two men at Cumshewa
1798AlexanderBass et al.AmericanThree of the ship's crew wounded and ten Haida killed in a skirmish at Cumshewa
1796-7Sea OtterBrigR. Sturgis, Lamb, Magee & HillBritishCaptain and two crew members killed at Cumshewa
1795UnionSloop 98TCrowell Hatcch & Caleb GardinerAmericanAttempted capture of the vessel on July 1 results in the death of 50 to 70 Kunghit Haida
1795-6Prince William HenrySchoonerLondon or Newcastle MerchantsBritishKaigani chief held for ransom
1795PhoenixBarqueBritishShore party attacked and one crew member killed at Cumshewa. In retaliation village is fired upon and village fired back.
1795Despatch160TDorr & SonsAmericanDetained Chief Cumshewa in exchange for the one survivor from Resolution in July
1794InoSea otter fur trader shipBritishPossibly the unknown British ship who lost its masts and while trying to find new replacements was overcome and crew killed.
1794Resolution90TJ. & T. Lamb & Ass.AmericanCaptured by the Cumshewa. Only one survivor who is kept as slave
1787EleanoraBrig 190TMetcalfeAmericanCaptured by the Kunghit Haida near Houston Stewart Channel with the loss of all hands, except one who was kept as a slave
1793AmeliaBrigAmericanCrew member killed by the Kunghit Haida
1791-2HancockBrigantineCravell & CreightonAmericanShip kills four Northern Haida on July 14 over a trivial issue. Wound another Haida at Langara Island.
1791Columbia Rediviva212TAmericanThre crew killed by the Kaigani Haida as revenge for the earlier "Crowell incident"
1791Lady Washington90TBurrell, Brown et al.AmericanAn incident relating to Captain Kendrick and Chief Xo'ya result in a skirmist where 40 Kunghit are lost.
1789Iphigenia NubianaSnow 200TBurrell, Brown et alAmericanNear Langara Island raider attempt to seize the ship
1787-89Princess RoyalSloop 50TNootka Sound Co.BritishCumshewa raiders try and capture the ship forcing the crew to open fire
1787Queen CharlotteSnow 200TKing Georg's Sound CoBritishAfter Haida attempt to steal some furs the crew opens fire but do not appear to hit anyone