Definition

Noun: 1. A member of an Indigenous people: A person belonging to a First Nations people traditionally living on the islands of Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, and in southern Alaska, USA, known for their seafaring culture and artistic traditions. 2. The language of the Haida people: The Na-Dene language spoken by the Haida people. It is considered an isolate within the Na-Dene language family.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person):
  • The master carver is a Haida from the village of Skidegate.
  • She studied the history and culture of the Haida.
• Noun (referring to the language):
  • Few fluent speakers of Haida remain, making language revitalization efforts crucial.
  • The linguist is documenting the phonetics of the Haida language.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Reference: The term is intrinsically linked to a rich cultural heritage, especially renowned for monumental totem poles, argillite carvings, and large ocean-going canoes.
• "Haida Gwaii": This is the contemporary and traditional name for the archipelago that is the heart of Haida territory, meaning "Islands of the People."

Variants and Related Words

• Haida Gwaii (proper noun): The archipelago off the northern coast of British Columbia, the traditional homeland of the Haida people.
• Haida-style (adjective): Describing art, design, or craftsmanship that follows the distinctive visual traditions of Haida art, characterized by formline design.

Synonyms

• (For the people) There is no direct synonym, as it is a specific ethnonym. In context, one might use "Haida people" or "Haida nation."
• (For the language) There is no synonym; it is the name of a specific language.

Related Phrases

• Haida mythology: The traditional stories, beliefs, and oral history of the Haida people.
• Haida art: The distinctive visual art tradition of the Haida people, including carving, weaving, and painting.

Related Idioms

• There are no common English idioms using the word "Haida." Its use is primarily proper and descriptive.

Noun

1. the Na-Dene language of the Haida
2. a member of a seafaring group of North American Indians who lived on the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southwestern Alaska